Wednesday, March 14, 2012

"Through The Open Door" Art Exhibition Opening Reception


The opening of the art exhibition Through The Open Door was held last Saturday. I was so pleased to see so many people come out to it. We had the privilege of having the founders of both organizations present at the opening! Here is Brain McConaghy, Founding Director of Ratanak, chatting with the owners of the Madplatter, Daneta and Tim, and Pastor Chris in front of my very large painting Conversations, how fitting!



Blain Sylvester, founder of Place of Rescue, in conversation with Pastor Graham, Sr. Pastor of the Alliance Church in Stony Plain.
My friend Rhea and Blain's wife in the background laughing about something!! I think a good time was had by all!

A bit of background on this exhibition...

This project was inspired by my church family. The congregation was encouraged to use our own unique skills and circles of influence, create a small group of people to work with and come up with a project to bring awareness to human trafficking as well as raise funds for Ratanak and Place of Rescue. Each small group was given seed money to cover costs. This whole thing is called Traffic Jam, there are many other projects going on for the purpose of raising awareness and funds.

I worked with a good friend who organized people to pray for this project and who was such an encourager when things got crazy! I also have the privilege of knowing many talented artist with various world views, beliefs and opinions! I knew exactly what the project was going to be! I couldn't sit by and not do anything to help this horrendous brokenness in the world! I was discontent!

I read this excerpt from an entry on the Ratanak blog spot today. It quotes Bill Hybels and describes Holy Discontent this way:
if you expose yourself to all that’s broken in our world but neglect to view the brokenness from heaven’s perspective (which promises that everything is in the process of being restored), then you’ll get sucked into an impossible downward spiral of aggravation, frustration and anger. Once that frustration and anger is understood as being your ‘holy discontent’ through your spiritual connection to the God who’s working to fix everything, it’s as if an enormous wave of positive energy gets released. This energy causes you to act on the dissatisfaction that’s been brewing deep within your soul and compels you to say ‘yes’ to joining forces with God so that the darkness and depravity around you gets pushed back. Your perspective shifts from that which your eyes can see to that which God tells you is true and it is in this reality that what is enslaved can still be set free, what is broken can still be mended, what is diseased can still be restored, what is dirty can still be made clean and what is wrong can still be made right. It is that one cause or purpose or problem that grabs you by the throat and just won’t let you go. It is that “one thing” in your heart that God is stirring a passion for. Your ‘one thing’ brings you to a place where you feel you simply must do something. When you have a deep desire to see things change, you are compelled to show up. Your soul doesn’t give you a choice in the matter. Ultimately you have no idea what the end results of your labor will be; all you know is that it is critical that you engage.



If you came out to the opening and saw a piece that may be for you, I encourage you to come back and purchase it! Remember 100% of the sales go to Ratanak and Place of Rescue in Cambodia.

If you haven't yet been to The Madplatter Bistro in Spruce Grove, please make plans to go. The exhibition is up till March 31 and would love for as many people to see it as possible.

Here is a taste of what you will see, but you must go and check out the art for yourself!


Paintings left to right: Coming Home by Judith Martin, Grip by Daphne Cote, Marsh Marigold: Protecting the Young by Marika Wierda





Untitled painting by Reece Schulte





Far wall: Celsius Two by Linda Rempel; Feature wall: Conversation by Deltra Powney, No More Owies I and II by Linda Rempel, Caribou Rock Art by Jean Elizabeth Tait





Celsius Two by Linda Rempel



When you visit, leave a note in the guest book, and drop a few coins in the donation jar, every little bit will help save lives!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Art Exhibition

Hello!

I want to pass along news of a project I have been working on.

I have curated a show of 11 artist (myself included) to raise funds for two non-government organizations in Cambodia who help children as young as 5 years old caught in the horrors of human trafficking. These organizations focus on prevention and protection. Ratanak and Place of Rescue

Art is a powerful way to communicated the most difficult of issues facing society today, human trafficking being only one of them. Art also has the power to move people to the point of action. It is my hope that by the presenting of this exhibition, conversations about human trafficking take place, creating awareness, which contributes to the prevention and protection of the most vulnerable in our own society.

If you are in the area, please, make a point to attend the show at the Madplatter Bistro
I am very proud of all the work and artists who have generously contributed to this exhibition. And the food is very good too!


Artist Talk at SNAP Community Gallery in Edmonton, AB

Hello Everyone, I would like to invite everyone to an artist talk I am giving this Thursday on new print based work that I have exhibit...