Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Divine Within: Documenting the Secrets of Childhood



You are cordially invited to the 4th annual children's art show at the Downtown Presbyterian Church featuring the collaborative work of well known Nashville theologians under the age of 12. 
Below is a copy of the press release. If any of you know anyone who wants to do a story on it... there is definitely one here. Hope to see you there. 

 THE DIVINE WITHIN:

Documenting the Secrets of Childhood

At our most artful and receptive moments--Sarah Masen suspects—we all understand that paying close attention to the creative wisdom of a child is every bit as enriching as meditating, reading sacred text, or taking in a good French film. For Masen, the Director of Children’s Education at Downtown Presbyterian Church, moving out of comfort zones and past an easy sentimentality in our openness to what children would show us is probably our best—our only—hope for emotional development. Opening September 5th in collaboration with the first Saturday Art Crawl, The Downtown Presbyterian Church presents: “The Divine Within: Documenting the Secrets of Childhood”. 

This years children’s art show features works of collaboration which tweak the conventional mentor/mentored model. The guiding vision places a child-artist in the role of instructor and a collaborating adult as the recipient of theological instruction afforded by the child. This partnering flips the script on curriculums often associated with churches (Point #1 “You’re a sinner”) and presumes, from the outset, what Masen frequently cites as “the already holy spirit” of the child. Prepare your hearts for illumination. Opening begins at 6:00pm. Light fare will be provided for small and grown wayfarers.

***

If you would like more information about this show, the participants and origins, or to schedule an interview with Sarah Masen, please call her at (248)505.1476 or email her at sdarkdpc@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 comments:

Daydreamer said...

brilliant!

Elizabeth Dark Wiley said...

sounds like the best way to spend an evening. wish I could come...

Amy D. said...

Sarah! How sweet! I had no idea. :)

You have seen the light inside of those kids! :)

jdaviddark said...

Thanks all. Wish you could make it too Liz, and Amy... the kids have kinda freaked me out this year with their insight/light. Crazily profound. I hope it translates for everyone. I believe it will.