Spring 2002 Facing Bench

Canton First Friends Church Demonstrates God-Given Creativity Through the Arts

185 various forms of art plus 92 artists representing all ages from early teens to late 80's equals a beautiful experience for everyone!

Canton First Friends Church in Canton, Ohio recently presented their 6th Annual Art Show. The show, held June 8-11, was a tremendous success and was well-received by the fellowship and the community. A total of 92 artists including many from the church and some from the Canton Artists' League shared 185 various forms of art (photography, fabric art, crafts, jewelry, painting, poetry, scherenschnitte, stained glass, wood burning, and sculpture).

The Sacred Arts Committee and volunteers transformed the large Sunday School room into an art gallery, with special lighting, curtains, display tables, easels, etc. A few highlights were the artists' reception held on Saturday evening with the artists and their families invited for fellowship and encouragement, many folks viewing the show between services on Sunday morning, and a special evening service involving Steadfast, the men's quartet, in mini-concert. Special music for the show was shared by Becky Swartz (piano and harp) and Larry Kehl (flute) and two of his high school flute students, Megan Wilson and Alicia Kutt, accompanied by Megan's mother, Beth, at the piano in the lobby at the entrance of the art display.

"Our dream for a Sacred Arts Ministry at Canton Friends began during the flight home from a trip to Israel in the spring of 1996," explains Phil DiSabatino, Associate Pastor of Music and Sacred Arts for Canton. During their ministry trip to Israel, Phil and his wife, Londa, joined other artists from the United States and Russia in a culminating event involving drama, lecture, vocal music, instrumental music, sacred dance, and an art display in a beautiful Lutheran church. "It opened our eyes to the unifying effect of bringing all the arts into the church - as an expression of worship," Phil added. "We've seen Canton's Art Show grow dramatically during the past six years and are grateful for the creativity God has placed inside each of us."

The Sacred Arts Ministry at Canton Friends meets once a month to encourage each other and to share techniques and ideas. Many have begun to successfully complete works of art because they know there are those supporting their efforts and, that it will have a moment on display.

Information submitted by Phil DiSabatino