Past Event

Event Details

Who Is My Neighbor? Conference & Art Exhibit: Art, Faith & Community is an ecumenical conference exploring God’s biblical command to "Love your neighbor as yourself" through art, visual theology, and the creative voice of the artist.

Who is my Neighbor? Conference & Art Exhibit: Art, Faith & Community is an ecumenical conference exploring God’s biblical command to "Love your neighbor as yourself" through art, visual theology, and the creative voice of the artist. Our exploration is guided by the ideas of Catholic Latino theologian Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu and Calvinist philosopher and theologian Nicholas Wolterstorff showing how art can function as a bridge in the cultural and religious life of our communities.

The conference is hosted by eight neighborhood churches located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. It will feature two days of seminars, workshops and artist presentations, as well as an extensive exhibit by 11 artists showcased throughout the participating churches.

See complete schedule and register.

Featured Speakers

Cecilia Gonzalez-Andrieu
Catholic Latino Theologian - Author of Bridge to Wonder: Art as a Gospel of Beauty

Nicholas Wolterstorff
Calvinist Philosopher and Theologian - Author of Art in Action - a study in Christian aesthetics

Artists

Timothy R. Botts - Calligrapher
Athanasios Clarke - Greek Orthodox Iconographer
Carolyn Elaine - Mosaic Artist
Martin Erspamer, OSB - Illustrator, Painter, Printmaker
Sergio Gomez - Painter, Curator, Gallery Owner
The Art of Sister Corita Kent - Nun, Printmaker, Teacher
Chris Stoffel Overvoorde - Painter, Liturgical Artist
Steve Prince - Artist, Printmaker, Sculptor
John August Swanson - Serigrapher, Painter
Jo-Ann VanReeuwyk - Fiber Artist / Sculptor, Teacher
Linda Witte Henke - Liturgical Textile Artist

Presenters

David Bosscher - Director of Art Exhibits - Second Reformed Church
Themis Fotieo - Lawyer, Greek Orthodox Theologian
Janaan Manternach - Catholic Educator & Liturgist
Betsy Steele Halstead - Visual Arts in Worship Resource Specialist - Worship Institute
Eric Strand - Director of Music & the Arts – First United Methodist Church
Rev. Karl VanHarn - Director of Pastoral Services – Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Vange Van Heusen - Director of the Atrium Gallery – Second Christian Reformed Church

Sponsoring Churches

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Cathedral of Saint Andrew
First United Methodist Church
Grace Christian Reformed Church
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
LaGrave Ave Christian Reformed Church
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
Westminster Presbyterian Church