Women, the Arts and the Sacred
Mar 19, 2009
Reception: 6-7pm
Program: 7-9pm
NOTE: The Reception with refreshments replaces the potluck dinner this month.
Join us for this inspirational event as women in the written, visual and performing arts share their intimate spiritual experiences, how their lives were changed, and the journeys they took to unveil and reveal the sacred through their work.
Reception: A time for informal Networking and Introductions of Berkshire and Guest Artists, for short Presentations by local artists, and to view gallery art. Light refreshments will be served.
Program: Presentations by three exceptional women dedicated to their artwork as a means of discovering and expressing their spiritual experiences and serving society:
Saphira Linden is a senior meditation teacher/guide in the Sufi Order International and Artistic Director of Omega Theater, in Boston. She is a writer, actress and director, therapist and consultant. In the 1970s, Saphira was Director of The Cosmic Celebration, a performance piece celebrating the major religions, written by Sufi master, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, and performed around the world. She directs a Transpersonal Drama Therapy training program, bringing together Sufi practices and the expressive arts "to tap into the wellspring of the Self for transformation through human and divine love."
Linda DeHart is an integrative artist, whose overall passion is "to create art that carries the viewer beyond the object, to a place of transformation through the power of color". She has created large scale works of art for corporate installations and custom commissions: tapestries, aerial and paper sculptures, silk paintings, art-to-wear collections, and a body of work called, "A Thousand Windows: A Long Walk in Beauty." From these 1000 watercolors, Linda created "Colors in Motion", an inspirational Audiovisual designed for health care settings. She will show part of this DVD.
Belle Fox-Martin is widely recognized as an artist and religious leader in the Berkshires. She is a published play write and poet, a visual artist--working on canvas with religious themes--and owner of Fox-Martin Fine Art Gallery in Housatonic. For many years, Belle served the homeless in NYC as a Substance Abuse Specialist. In her role as a UCC Licensed Pastor, Belle has been writing and performing dramatic readings for congregations in lieu of sermons, monologues presenting Biblical stories, "to bring to life God's mysteries in ways we don't expect, to open our hearts a little wider to His love."
Among the Berkshire and NY women artists and spiritual leaders participating in the evening are: June Wink, Katharine Houk, Pauline Dongala, JoAnne Spies, Satyena Ananda, Bonnie Gable, Rev. Natalie Shiras and Peggy Reeves, and Wendalah Rabinowitz. Shirley Paukulis is Moderator. The WII Board will be our hosts.
As artists, we study, practice and express our art, until the inner becomes the outer and the heart a swinging door. When we become intimate to an experience, our images have direct connection to the whole. Spirit mysteriously reveals itself when we transcend our individual selves. Both artist and audience experience moments of illumination when present and aware. The arts inspire us to see more clearly, with freshness and depth.
WII is especially pleased to be one of the Co-sponsors of the Eighth Annual International Women's Day Conference, "The Power of Women in the Arts," March 6th and 7th at Simon's Rock College. There are extraordinary speakers and performances planned. For registration and information: http://www.simons-rock.edu/about/affiliated-programs/iwd/
or call: 413-528-7394.
"Women, the Arts and the Sacred" is one of the events in the "First Annual Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts, presented by The Women's Times." For information on all events scheduled through March, see Festival site: http://www.thewomenstimes.com.
Please join us for this special program and bring a friend.
$5 Suggested donation
(to support our programs)
Free for members
**NOTE** Light refreshments will be served
(no potluck dinner this month)
Where Church on the Hill Chapel
55 Main Street
Lenox, MA
(The brown building is down the street from the main church, and across the street from Nejaime's Wine Cellar. Please use entrance on right side of bldg.)
More information:
Eileen Quinn: 413-232-0238 info@womensinterfaithberkshires.org