So…what is on the post-gathering radar for Via Affirmativa? A team of people will soon be assessing the assessments from the gathering in order to begin planning for similar events in the future. Also, Art Slams are being orchestrated across the country (please see our VAF Art Slam page for more information). If you are planning one for this summer then we would like to know about it.

As per this website: we are looking to put up pictures, audio clips, and notes from the recent gathering. Those will be coming soon under the VAF Gatherings link.

We are calling all writers to help us create some diversity here by contributing your own thoughts in the form of blog posts. So, instead of reading this dribble, we can read something daring and dribble-less written by one of you. It can be insightful, observational, theological, artsy, technical, etc—but it must be fresh. If you think you might have the knack for a blog article every now and then let us know.

We are also calling all…other creative types to contribute as well. We can post your videos, photos, designs, and other artistic representations. Contact me (see above) if you haven’t already and we will work together to make your contribution bloggy.

Hopefully, we can create a sort of diverse gallery that will prompt ruminations, be like a sharp pin aimed at our nice, safe thought bubbles, or…be like that iron that sharpens iron. If (for some reason) blogging is not your thing, then feel free to start your own forum conversation here, but regardless of where the conversations take place, we hope to use this website to continue to learn from one another.

Here are a few questions Gary (VAF director) has on his mind (while chillin’ with the grandkids at the lake). Feel free to give your three cents.

How can we help those who are interested in hosting an art slam?

What will make our web site valuable enough that it will be part of forming connections for a movement?

Where should we host next years gathering?

Should we instead have three or four smaller regional gatherings (ie. Colorado, Minneapolis, Baltimore…maybe Seattle)?

How do we build in a conversation of calling out and equipping ‘kingdom-class’ artists? (This is opposed to ‘world-class’—or the motivation of ‘art for art’s sake’—see this post for more thoughts or see Gary’s audio clip once we post it for further clarification of these terms.)

We have written many things over the past month for those of you who are attending next week’s VAF gathering in Minneapolis. But what about those who cannot come? Well, this post is for you.

After each day of the gathering next week we will try to post a summary of the day’s events here (along with some pictures). So next Thursday, Friday and Saturday night you can check in to see what you are missing. Eventually, we will try to include some audio as well.

But for now, you can plan on a late night glass of wine, your slippers, and a good read. We will do our best to keep you in the know.

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.