Art is a key part of the life of House of Mercy. Indeed, included in the church’s bylaws, under the heading of purpose and values, one would find:
we affirm the value of art both as a means of exploring and expressing the Christian faith, as well as a confirmation of the goodness of creation. We believe that art is to be celebrated, whether or not it is self-consciously Christian.
The bylaws also include among the values, a sense of “Do-it-yourself-ism:”
Having our origins in the attitude “let’s start our own church,” House of Mercy seeks to foster creativity and vision in all of those who associate with us.
The spirit of creativity is alive and well at House of Mercy with many opportunities to foster one’s creativity and celebrate art. Some of the past projects have included:
- Artbus–a mobile community art machine
- DIY Arts Workshops–led by the likes of Monica Larson (MFA Print Making, Arizona State University), Michael Rathbun (MFA Sculpture, University of Minnesota), Christopher Larson (MFA Sculpture, Yale University), and Jim Larson (MFA Painting, Brooklyn College)
- Stations of the Cross–a Lent through Easter display in which local artists are comissioned to interpret the 14 stations of Jesus’s journey to the cross
- Advent liturgical art–in keeping with the liturgical theme of the season, artists are invited to prepare a panel depicting the gospel, which is then fit into the lectern, the pulpit, and the wall panels of the chancel http://houseofmercy.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/hello-world/
- Art Camp–a summer week-long day camp for kids where participants spend time each day in classes working on visual arts, music and performance/story development, all contributing to a final production
- The Mercy Review–an online literary and arts journal publishing juried works that “critically digest human life and mystery…that are visceral and entertaining and relevant” http://themercyreview.weebly.com
House of Mercy celebrates artwork that is informed by, or grapples with religious faith. Members of the community are encouraged to share personal expressions. To examine the larger questions of existence or to contemplate the details of mundane experience. To express one’s faith as a Christian or to express one’s profound openness to the traditions of the world. To simply celebrate the beautiful.
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