We have made some needed adjustments to the way in which we talk about ourselves. Via Affirmativa is a concept that we are still molding and learning to communicate. See for yourself and let us know what you think. Click on the ‘About Via Affirmativa’ link to the right and read what you may.

While we were at it we also made some adjustments to our links by adding a developing ‘Resources’ section. If you like to occasionally check in at VAF then you might also like to read what some of our readers write and see what they do: explore the continuing-to-expand ‘Blogroll’ or the new ‘VAF Links‘ page.

Oh yeah, and there is still time to register for the June Gathering.

This week we are editing some of our web copy and redoing our links section.  The changes should serve to more accurately communicate VAF to others as well as provide a simpler, more resourceful, links section.  With the help of a few volunteers and some limited funds we keep making modifications as we have time.  As usual, your input is valued and many of the new links will come from the suggestions you made on a post last week.   If you have any more ‘resource’ links for us to view, let us know by leaving a comment below.  Thanks again for your help.  

*If you ever want to make a tax exempt donation towards the continuing development and maintenance of this site, contact Gary Bradley by clicking here.

Today is a travel day for me on the way to Alabama (the beautiful). So, in brief, I want to draw your attention to some of the other blogs that Via Affirmativa has added to our ‘VA blogroll’ at the right hand side of this page. While some have not updated their sites for a while (including me), it seems that there is a growing number of designers and photographers who have. Please check out the sites of some of our readers.

If you are thus far a silent reader and have a blog that you would like to introduce us to then leave a message for us here and we will pay you a visit.

For those of you who are in the mood for a couple of short reads, here is some food for thought: Can culture dictate the way we see? and, a twirling tower in Chicago?

And its off to Alabama…with a newborn.

Do you find that your creativity is often given wings by those people you meet, that method you observe, or an idea that you hear? If you paint in a studio surrounded by other studios, write with a writers group, or create documentaries with a small team of friends then you know what we are talking about. If you are looking to make a new connection in your creative expression, or just work on an old idea that life has droned away, this is your chance.

Host a VAF Art Slam. What is a VAF Art Slam? Well, you decide. Invite some imaginative people to a destination of your choice (the beach, your home, a city street) and open up a space for creativity to turn into something tangible. You can problem solve. You can work around a theme (skyscrapers or Dogwood trees, for example). You can read from sacred scriptures or inspirational poets. Make it what you like.

Some of you need to hear no more. Some of you are already doing this. Others are saying, “Could you give me an example?” Sure. This summer, at an as-of-now undisclosed time, there will be a Minneapolis VAF Art Slam for writers, woodworkers, musicians, painters, etc. who will meet on a Friday night for wine and appetizers. There will be a spare couch or tent for travelers. Saturday everyone will depart for a mystical place in the forest, named Mira. There are home-made paths, a railroad, a river, an open fire, a creek and plenty of large trees to fuel creation. Sitting next to the aroma of the campfire will be a large canopy and a small stone building to house the working places in case of a fresh rain. Sunday morning there will be a brunch, a reading and a sharing time before everyone departs for home. More details to come.

There have been rumors of designers getting together to problem solve around the topic of affordable and beautiful living spaces for low income communities (or maybe that rumor begins now). A VAF Art Slam is as simple as a Saturday night jam-session or poetry reading or as complex as a camping trip. It is a time to explore the recesses of beauty through some sort of creative venture in a community of affirming relationships.

If you have an Art Slam, then we want to hear about it. To the right you will see a link for ‘Forums’—or just click here. In the Forums you will see a group entitled VAF Art Slams. This is your advertising space. Put your location and attraction in the title (i.e. New York studio, Central Park, or Minneapolis Campfire), then leave a description of your plan with important details (i.e. only first nine people to reply, couch available, or basket weavers only) along with RSVP information for those who might join you.

You may already know people that you want to invite, but here is an opportunity to meet someone new. 30-50 people check this site every day and that number is growing every week. There is a chance that someone near you may be interested in connecting.

Next, we want to hear how it went, what you did, and any other details you wish to share here: the VAF Art Slam page. On this page you can leave a comment telling a story about your last event and find another link to the Art Slam forum so that you can schedule your next VAF Art Slam. If you start sending us pictures then we might have to find a place to put those as well. This is the start of something new and it is up to us to start it. Are you ready?

Report from Romania:

The follwing is an email from Rochelle de Sa` as she and the film team meet Liviu Mocan to begin filming the first Via Affirmativa film. This summer we will premier this film at our June 13-17 gathering in Minneapolis.

Dear Gary

We are in Romania, and the depth of the conversations, interaction and content are watering to our souls.

Please continue to pray. We planned a schedule with an American perspective, and we are in Romania among artists. We got a fantastic interview with Rodica today, 4 hours…. the spine of the story. Tomorrow all day with Liviu. They are COMPLETELY taken by the investment we are making, willing to work as hard as ever to help us get the shots we need.

Rochelle

Ps. If you have not registered for the conference please do so soon.  See the link on the right side of the web site for the registration form.

The following is posted by Gary Bradley:

A friend of Via Affirmativa, Leo Jaramillo, and his friends have produced a film called “818.” They entered it in the L.A. Film Festival called “168,” meaning the film has to be completed in 168 hours (See: 168project.com). We at Via Affirmativa have an investment in this film so I wanted to keep you up to date on the status of the film. The following is an email from Leo. Hope you are as excited about this as I am.

I just wanted to update everyone on the on the status of our film, entitled “818.” The whirlwind has come and gone, and now we are 1.5 weeks away from the Festival. We are screening in the evening (which is a good sign) and just today we found out the nominations. We have 8 nominations.

Our film is nominated for the following:

Screenplay - Nick Bonora
Director - Josh Turnbow
Cinematography - Leo Jaramillo
Production Design - Josh Turnbow
Editor - Mikey Carr/ Josh Stone
Actor - Asher Book
Supporting Actor - Troy Ryan Zuercher
Best Film - Richard Lopez/Michael Carr

Tickets are available online for the festival on the 23rd & 24th of March. It will be held here in Glendale at one of those old beautiful theatres you see in movies with big red curtains, balconies and a stage with tons of gold embroidery. Our screening time will be March 24th @ 7pm.

We will be posting the high res, HD version on the website soon, and look forward to seeing you in LA on the 23rd/24th if you can make it. Our web site is http://www.commonhero.com/.

Via Affirmativa is trying something new. In order to build momentum for the upcoming conference (and hopefully beyond) there will be weekly articles posted for us to comment upon, dialogue about and maybe even get upset about.

So if you like what you see in the coming weeks then make sure to tell your friends, your mothers and all your brothers who may be interested in the ensuing dialogue when beauty, art and God intersect. Just where that intersection takes place, where it doesn’t, and its impact on the way in which we expressively live our lives will be the topic of many conversations in the next few months.

We will hear from artists who will be attending the upcoming Via Affirmativa conference in Minneapolis as well as explore current events, film, music, literature and art so as to better see the uncommon within the common; to better behold the Beautiful amongst the clutter or even discord.

It goes without saying, yet here we will say, that diversity is welcome. Nothing exists in solidarity, not even the Triune God, so with great respect we mutually quest together in our longing for that which is truly beautiful. That being said, your contributions are still welcome. If you have something that we should consider posting then feel free to send it by clicking here.

Hopefully you will find this to be a safe place to work out your own thoughts in growing dialogue with others as we all attempt to integrate our faith and art with our every day living.