See the new VAF video here!

The Via Affirmativa Gathering of 2009 is now history in the making. By this I mean that what we began will now take root and grow into a flower of transforming beauty. The event was such a good time as we enjoyed several outstanding messages from Donald McGilchrist on “being free to flourish and another on risking in hope. ”

Over 90 art friends from around the world attended and no one wanted to go home at the end. It seems to me that the Via Affirmativa Gatherings have moved from being events to having a life of their own and we can now see the signs of a movement of the gospel.

On Saturday morning I described what I see happening with the movement of Via Affirmativa. There were three points:

We are: Rehumanizing our world through the making of art by releasing our friends to the creative gifts given to them by God and refreshing their hearts and minds with the full expression of God at work in our world. We further believe that in living such a life the world itself will be rehumanized.

By using the word rehumanize, I am saying that the brokenness of people, systems and environments can be restored. Anyone can see that the world is broken. Just observe people, systems, and the environment. It is through the beauty of God that we can see this brokenness restored. Psalm 149:4 NASV captures this beautifully.

I hope that these ideas will give you a way of expressing to others what it means to be connected to the via movement. They were well received and I was thankful to be able to share these ideas. From my experience over the past 30 plus years in launching new missions I have seen that it takes about 7 years for the ideas to take root. So pray that we are on the way.

The weekend before the Gathering we hosted a two paint event at Glenn Eyrie Castle. There were around 30 painters in attendance and it was a smashing success. We had a bear wandering around scaring everyone, that was cool. One artist on leaving said, “Today was the best day of my life.” Wow. As I look back on the time I see that the big thing that happened was that people experienced being served. Imagine that!

We have already planned a reunion of these artists for Sept 26th. I hope that this will begin to build a community of friends with whom we can develop closer communications.

Warmly and In Christ,

Gary & Julia

Gary Bradley
Via Affirmativa , Director
gary@viaaffirmativa.com

VIDEO: Jozef Luptak (cello) and Corey Mills (dance) improvise together at Glen Eyrie.

Via Affirmativa is announcing its first Plein Air Paint Out for Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 (two separate events – see details on web site) at the historic Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs. This event is open to painters of all mediums and includes over $2000 in awards. It will be judged by Skip Whitcomb, a nationally acclaimed Plein Air painter.

What is Plein Air?
En plein air is a French expression which means “in the open air”, and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.

The weekend event begins with limited attendance workshops on Saturday, followed by the juried paint out on Sunday. You may participate in either or both events. You may register now for either or both events at www.gepaintout.com. Reserve your space early for this limited registration opportunity to paint in one of the more beautiful locations in the west. Read more details about the two events on our web site at www.gepaintout.com.

Sponsored by Via Affirmativa and Navpress (www.navpress.com)

by Makoto Fujimura

Explore how the arts and faith live together and how you can bring healing to a hurting world through your own creation.

Is there a world where artists and conservatives come together to create hope and healing for a hurting generation? What would such a place look like, and how can two groups of such different cultures communicate? Makoto Fujimura, award-winning artist, brings artists and conservatives, believers and non-believers, together in Refractions, a series of essays, thoughts, and prayers about faith and the arts. Become inspired by life, and learn how to bring healing to the world through your own creation.

Available February 1, 2009. Read more or purchase your copy at www.navpress.com or call 1-800-366-7788.

Author Bio:

Makoto Fujimura was born in 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts. Educated biculturally between the United States and Japan, Fujimura graduated from Bucknell University in 1983 and received an M.F.A. from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music as a National Scholar in Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) in 1989. During his years in the program, he experienced “a transfer of allegiance from art to Christ.” His book River Grace (www.rivergrace.com) traces his journey of mastering Nihonga technique, using carefully stone-ground minerals including azurite, malachite, and cinnabar, along with his deep wrestling with art and faith issues.

In 1992 he became the youngest artist ever to have had a piece acquired by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo. Fujimura was appointed to the National Council on the Arts, a six-year presidential appointment, in 2003. WORLD magazine honored him as its Daniel of the Year in 2005.

In 1990 Fujimura founded The International Arts Movement (www.iamny.org), an arts advocacy organization that wrestles with the deep questions of art, faith, and humanity. His writings on art and faith issues have appeared in Image Journal, Books and Culture, American Arts Quarterly, and WORLD magazine.

Im reading “Blue Pastures,” by Mary Oliver, and this quote jumps off the page, grabs me by my reluctant neck, and says “Pay attention!” I hope it will grab your neck as well.

“…the most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to
creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and
uprising, and gave it neither power nor time.”

What permission do you need to set aside time? I have one suggestion! Set aside June 5-9, 2009 for the Next Via Affirmativa Gathering in Colorado Springs …

Gary Bradley

Permission Granted!