Music & Arts > Art's The Word

Kathy Bozzuti-Jones and Sr. Claire Joy, CHS, two of our colleagues at St. Bart's, present and past, have their work in this Episcopal Church & Visual Arts (EVCA) online exhibit: "Fellowship and Communion." JANET CULBERTSON "Every artwork is an act of prayer," says Jan Culbertson, who acknowledges that her religious instruction comes from "hugging a tree." Culbertson has been honored as one of 11 finalists in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day sponsored by the National Resources Defense Council and Nabi Gallery. The First Billboard, 34 x 48", ©1987 Janet Culbertson In my art I try to balance the tension between beauty and environmental destruction in portraying the changes in our world. I am a bit more optimistic now since many people are aware of the necessity of conservation. Since the sixties I have painted many aspects of nature, the dark volcanic islands of the Galapagos, the fierce beauty of the Grand Canyon, the incredible vanishing animals of Africa as well as the degradation of the wilderness of America. The more I traveled, the more I witnessed these changes worldwide. My response was to paint a Billboard Series and the Industrial Park Series using silver paint, iridescent pigments, and dimensional collage materials that parallel the actual detritus of today’s toxic environment. In true George Orwellian doublespeak, industry calls its sites “parks”, its clear cutting, “making open space”, its killing, “harvesting”, and it’s lying, “misinformation”. Today, with the population reaching 6 billion, and the need for the necessities of life, such as food, water, and education, environmental awareness and active conservation are crucial to the health of the world. Culbertson was one of the early eco-feminists showing with the Lerner Heller Gallery for many years in New York City. Her work is in the collection of The National Museum of Women in the Arts, The National Academy of Science, (D.C.), The National Museum in San Jose and many more. You can see more of her work and read about her here at her website. EASTER IN ART @ St. Bart's NAIL THIS. © 2010 digital painting duratran by Roz Dimon, Director of Communications/Arts for St. Bart's [photographic imagery provided by Kathy and Mark Bozutti-Jones] This work is a contemporary stained-glass window, electronic-style. 3' x 3' it can be viewed in the Narthex of the church at 325 Park Avenue throughout Easter (50 days). This work was inspired by a trip to The Rubin Museum where Himalayan motifs such as the mandala are a prominent feature. I was drawn to its principles of balance and divinity and thought it would be interesting to use this as a framework for the crucifixion in a work that looks outward from the cross. I was also influenced by a detail in the painting, "The Milkmaid," by Vermeer, where the nail, unadorned and sitting alone on the wall, calls out to us, as does every detail in this masterpiece. With these concepts in mind as we approached the season of Lent and Easter, I collaborated with Kathy Bozzuti-Jones, fellow creative muse and Director of Children & Family Ministries, who directed six of our families at St. Bart's on a series of mandalas. The resulting works-of-art, which are currently on view in the adjacent cloister to this piece, are simply amazing -- If you look closely at these works, you will observe what an imaginative offering a nail can be when in the hands of a loving master, an earnest craftsman, the eyes of a child filled with hope. Roz Dimon   ARTISTS' ARCHIVE: Kathy Bozzuti-Jones, C. Robin Janning, Paul Trachtman, David Fries Centering our Faith: Art of the Mandala St. Bart's explores the Lent and Easter Season through the ancient art of the mandala. Six of these mandalas created by families at St. Bart's are on display in the Cloister of the Church. Beginning in Holy Week, these works will be joined by a centerpiece mandala of the crucifixion created by Roz Dimon, Director of Communications/Arts working with the provided photography images from Kathy and Mark Bozzuti-Jones. A great source for understanding more about this art form which originated in Eastern religions, visit the Rubin Museum of Art in Chelsea where they are currently featuring the art of Carl Yung. Art as Prayer PSALM 19: A unique contemporary interpretation of the beloved psalm, "The Song to The Choirmaster," also the oft-heard words prior to a sermon, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight." Created by Roz Dimon working in collaboration with Dr. Kathy Bozzuti-Jones, Director of Children, Youth and Family. CLICK THE IMAGE TO START THE PRAYER. Museum as Muse The Bible is not only one of the great stories of all time but it has all the ingredients for art that transcends earthly limitation. MOBIA, The Museum of Boblical Art, on the upper west side of Manhattan, takes as its central content the richest, most action packed, indepherable story of all... one that has inspired the best from artists over the ages.... check it out here. - - - - - - - - - - Holy MOCRA! What's this? An interfaith museum with a very inclusive, exploratory and contemporary approach to art that engages religious and spiritual themes. Check it out here. - - - - - - - - - - The Rubin Museum is a culturally rich museum full of gorgeous spiritual imagery from the The Himalayas and its' mission strongly encourages interfaith exploration. Did you know that a mandala is an 2 dimensional icon based on a 3 dimensional space? How might we contrast this concept to Christian iconography and symbols? Gather a few friends from St. Bart's together and take advantage of "Free Mondays for Seniors" at The Rubin Museum of Art in Chelsea. Download the details here. 20s&30s - Why not meet at the K2 Lounge on Friday nights! It's hot! WHAT'S SO COOL ABOUT ECVA? Besides an intertwining of art and spirit, courtesy of some very creative Episcopalians, the only way to know it is to experience it HERE. Questions or comments about ART'S THE WORD? Email Roz Dimon, Director of Communications/Arts, St. Bart's Curious about Roz's viewpoint on art and faith? Read here.