Tuesday, January 5, 2016

New York Arts Organization Celebrates Five Years of Illuminating the Bible





Spark and Echo Arts, an arts non-profit dedicated to illuminating the entire Bible through the arts, will commemorate its fifth anniversary with a celebration of visual and performing arts at W83, a community center owned and operated by Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City. The celebration includes an exhibition entitled “The Word Illuminated” running from Jan. 14 through Feb. 5 and an evening of live performances on Thursday, Jan. 28. Visual art, music, poetry, dance, theatre, and film from the project’s five-year history will be honored in a beautiful setting.

The exhibition, open daily from 8AM to 9PM, is curated by Blake Ruehrwein and features outstanding 2D and 3D works created for the project. Included will be meditations from award-winning pastelist Nicora Gangi, photography from Artist-in-Residence Melissa Beck, animated video art by Jessie Brugger, conceptual map-art by Emmitt Klein-Stropnicky, text-based visual art from Janna Luttrell, and more.

The evening of performances on January 28th will include live music from jazz composer Benje Danemen and songwriter Mara Measor, spoken word by Ren Jackson and Emily Ruth Hazel, film by Zhubin Pahrang and Chris Knight, dance, theatre, guest speakers, and more. Handmade food by Heather Isiminger will also be available. Curators, project leaders, and Spark and Echo artists past, present, and future will be among the audience. 

Spark and Echo Arts is committed to engaging artists from diverse backgrounds by challenging them to respond to Scripture using their talents. To date the non-profit has commissioned 176 artists, who have responded to 2,650 verses in the Bible. Artists are encouraged to respond honestly to each passage, in their voice. Their works are presented so the artists’ talents and the Bible’s continued relevance shines through. See, hear, and experience the fruits of this project, five years in the making, by visiting the gallery and performance. 


Event Details

Spark and Echo Arts 5th Anniversary Celebration: 
The Word Illuminated

Where: W83 • 150 W. 83rd St., NYC, 10024

Exhibition: January 14-February 5, 2016
Viewing Hours: 8am-9pm daily, free

Live Event: Thursday, January 28th, 2016
Gallery viewing: 7pm; Performances: 8-10pm
Cost: $10 online; $15 at the door
Venue and directions: www.150w83.com
$5 tickets with code SACREDSTAGE. 

About W83: 

W83 is a five-story multi-function community and cultural center, located in the Upper West Side, NYC, owned and operated by Redeemer Presbyterian Church. W83 aims to serve as a meeting place of accessibility and affordability for our neighbors in the Upper West Side and beyond, providing space for the cultivation of community and cultural activities.

No comments: