History of our Arts Festivals

2012: The Passion and the Promise

The Passion and the Promise themes

The Passion and the Promise theme will have three individual themes artists may depict, which are:

  1. His Triumphal Entry

  2. His Glorious Cross

  3. His Victorious Resurrection

The 2012 theme will be "The Passion and the Promise." In preparation, there was a contest to create the official logo design for this Arts Festival.

2010: Manger, Magi, and Majesty

Manger, Magi, and Majesty themes

Within the Manger, Magi, and Majesty theme were two individual themes artists could depict, which were:

  1. The Shepherds and the Angels - Luke 2:6-20

  2. The Visit of the Wise Men - Matthew 2:1-12

The 2010 theme was "Manger, Magi, and Majesty." This festival enjoyed a wonderful presentation by internationally-recognized artist Makoto Fujimura. In 1990, Makoto founded The International Arts Movement (IAM). IAM hosts a major conference in New York City every February, attracting notable speakers and performers such as Dana Gioia (poet, Chair of NEA), Patricia Heaton (actor), Rob Mathes Band, Miroslav Volf (theologian, Yale University), Elaine Scarry (author, Harvard University), and Daniel Libeskind (architect).

Unique to this festival was the introduction of non-narrative short film entries. Randy Heffner coordinated the short film entries. The films were very popular, as one film, Who's Sorrows by Jeff Gibbons, received our award for best of theme for the topic, "The Magi."

2009: Parables

Parables themes

Within the Parables theme were three individual themes artists could depict, which were:

  1. Sower of the Seeds - Luke 8:1-15

  2. The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37

  3. The Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32

In 2009, the theme was "Parables." Unique to this festival was a presentation by former National Endowment for the Arts chairman Dana Gioia. Dana explained that Christ's parables were intended to stir curiosity and called for a response from His listeners. They pointed to the greater truths of His Kingdom applicable to both the individuals hearing them and the culture in which they lived. These truths surprised the listeners, and it became apparent that only those who believed in Christ could understand them. Jesus said that those who didn't understand fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy:

"For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them." (Mt 13:15)

2008: Beginnings

Beginnings themes

Within the Beginnings theme were four individual themes artists could depict, which were:

  1. Beginnings of Creation - Genesis 1:1-2:3

    The seven days when God creates heaven and earth

  2. Beginnings of Man and Woman - Genesis 2:4-25

    God's creation of man and woman, with His plan and purpose for mankind

  3. Temptation and Fall - Genesis 3:1-7

    The origins of temptation and sin that lead to the fall of mankind

  4. Judgment and Hope - Genesis 3:8-24

    The consequences of sin, the separation from God, and the subsequent search for hope

In 2008, we hosted the next year's theme, which was "Beginnings." The festival was displayed in the Villa Rosa Gables at 2650 Cedar Springs, Dallas, TX 75201. The grand opening was April 5 and the Arts Festival ran until April 13.

Unique to this festival was a drama/dance interpretation of Genesis 1-3. This drama/dance covered God’s creation of heaven and earth to the fall of man and consequence of sin ending with the subsequent search for hope. The featured performers were Arthur Morton and Jennifer Mabus.

This arts festival also benefited After-School Arts Programs in the West Dallas Community with the partnership of Mercy Street, Voice of Hope, and West Dallas Community School. Overall, this festival donated over $24,000 to fund art classes and materials for the children. More than twenty-two artists volunteered a percentage of their sales proceeds or their personal time to enrich these children.

2007: Psalm 23

Psalm 23 themes

Within the Psalm 23 theme were four individual themes artists could depict, which were:

  1. The Shepherd’s Provision – Psalm 23:1-3

    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
    He leads me beside still waters.
    He restores my soul.
    He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for His name’s sake.

  2. The Shepherd’s Protection – Psalm 23:4

    Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

  3. The Shepherd’s Care – Psalm 23:5

    You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
    you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.

  4. The Shepherd’s Promise – Psalm 23:6

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
    and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

We hosted our first Arts Festival in 2007, which was themed "Psalm 23." The purpose for our Arts Festival was to glorify God, which Psalm 98 and 100 illustrate. Because God wants to be praised, we decided to give artists an opportunity to create artwork about their faith by establishing our Arts Festival.

In addition to glorifying God, the arts festival also gave artists the opportunity to sell their artwork. The artists received 75% of their determined price and the arts festival retained 25% to cover administration costs. In addition, artists were given the option to accept commissions based on their work during the show on the same consignment basis through the designated agent, Bob Snider, Arts Festival Consultant, www.artbyfaith.org.

The Arts Festival had three jurors, which were Anne Johnson, Patricia Meadows, and Judy Smith Hearst. From the accepted festival entries, our principal jurors, Anne Johnson and Patricia Meadows, selected the top ten works from each theme to receive Juror Recognition Awards. One work from each theme received a $1,000 Juror’s Best-in-Theme Award. During the festival, those viewing the exhibition had an opportunity to vote on their favorite piece in the festival, and the work receiving the most votes received a $1,500 People’s Choice Award.

To enter, artists had to register their artwork by the specified due date. The registration process entailed (a) completing the registration form, (b)submitting a high-resolution photograph of the artwork, (c) submitting the artist statement of the artwork, and (d) paying the $30 entry fee.

Overall, the Psalm 23 arts festival attracted four thousand visitors.