Olympic Big Draw

News of use made of the Run with the Fire digital exhibition continues to come in. The most recent information comes from St Gabriel's Aldersbrook who organised an Olympic Big Draw event.

Their Vicar, Fr. Martyn Hawkes, wrote that this was a fun experience with quite a few children coming along. He enjoyed the digital exhibition, which they bought in to provide some inspiration and additional material for the curious to see. It proved a good part of their Olympic activities over the summer and he was grateful for its production.

Festival showings of 'Run with the Fire'

The Run with the Fire digital art exhibition will be shown at two events in the Art Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area and the Woodford Festival.

A Celebration of Poetry will be held on Friday 12th October, 7.30pm, St Paul's Woodford Bridge, Cross Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 8BT. There is no admission charge and the evening will include local poets, published poets, musical/storytelling interludes and a showing of the 'Run with the Fire' Olympic-themed digital art exhibition. Among those reading their poetry are: Tim Cunningham, Jonathan Evens, Jane Grell, Malcolm Guite, Alan Hitching, and Jennifer Houghton.

commission4mission Art exhibition - Saturday 13th October, 10.00am - 7.30pm, The Atrium, All Saints Woodford Wells, Inmans Row, Woodford Green, IG8 0NHNo admission charge. Exhibition of art works by members of commission4mission, an arts organisation which aims to encourage churches to commission contemporary art. Includes the 'Run with the Fire' Olympic-themed digital art exhibition. This exhibition will include work by Jonathan Evens, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. This exhibition is being held prior to an evening concert at All Saints by the Meljon Singers (https://www.facebook.com/events/246345185469093/).

Click here for more information about other events in the Woodford Festival.

Summer Art Workshops

Here are photos from some of the summer creative workshops run at St Aubyn Devonport as part of the Run with the Fire project run by Army of Artists.

Oxfam donation

The 'Run with the Fire' project has recently been able to donate £229.89 to Oxfam.

For more than 60 years Oxfam has been turning donations such as ours into positive action which is transforming the lives of some of the world's poorest people.

Together Oxfam and their supporters have helped farming families to get more from their land, given children the chance to go to school, and ensured that opportunities are open to everyone - even the most vulnerable - in communities around the world. They've also campaigned for changes in policies, both locally and internationally, which will ensure that poor people's efforts are properly rewarded.

'Run with the Fire' poem

Run with the Fire

Stripped down - free of weights and encumberance -
muscles taught and trained, eyes on the prize -
on track, no turning back - forgetting what is behind,
straining toward what is ahead, winged feet
bearing tongues of flame - inextinguishable flickers
of hope, the torch passed on through generations,
message of victory - peace, goodwill to all.

How lovely are the feet - run red-raw, blistered
and calloused, dust-encrusted yet lithe as leopards
and fleet as foxes - which pound the mountains,
hills, valleys and plains, echoing through history
from Marathon to London via Jerusalem.

Jonathan Evens

'Run with the Fire' in California

Manuel Luz, Pastor of Creative Arts at Oak Hills Church, Folsom, California writes that the church is displaying the Run with the Fire digital exhibition "alongside of our children's Arts Camp gallery, which was themed around the Olympics this year. We will be presenting it through the duration of the Olympics." Run with the Fire can be seen in the church's Art&Soul Gallery. They write that "Oak Hills is pleased to be a part of this international event. We invite you to spend some time in our church lobby viewing the amazing works of Christian artists from around the world." To see photos from Oak Hills' children's Arts Camp click here.

Be touched by the presence of God

Army of Artist's Run with the Fire community art exhibition and creative workshops have been attracting local press coverage in the Plymouth Herald. Click here for the latest story, here for a profile of Anita Collins, and here for the original article about their initiative.

Joy Lawrence writes:

"This is my kind of art: beautiful, touching, stunning, understandable – eat your heart out Tate Modern! ...

If you want to be inspired, encouraged, uplifted, dare I say – touched by the presence of God, take a visit to the Run With The Fire Exhibition at St Aubyn's in Devonport."

More 'Run with the Fire' press coverage

There has been further press coverage of 'Run with the Fire' through interviews with Steve Scott.
An interview Steve gave to Church and Art Network, in which Run with the Fire is featured, is included in their latest e-bulletin as a case study.
Steve has also been interviewed about his wide ranging career in art, music and poetry, including his involvement with Run with the Fire, in the current edition of Down The Line magazine. Steve is a British writer, poet, and musician whose songs have been recorded by artists including the 77s and Larry Norman. His musical and spoken word projects include Love in the Western World, Lost Horizon, Magnificent Obsession, More Than a Dream, The Butterfly Effect, Empty Orchestra, We Dreamed That We Were Strangers, and Crossing the Boundaries, in conjunction with painter Gaylen Stewart. In 2012, his songs became available on MP3 format, coincident with the release of a limited edition CD, Emotional Tourist: A Steve Scott Retrospective. He writes and speaks often on the arts in the UK and US, and is the author of Like a House on Fire: Renewal of the Arts in a Post-modern Culture, The Boundaries, and Crying for a Vision and Other Essays: The Collected Steve Scott Vol. One. He holds an MA in global leadership.
Steve has some fascinating things to say in this interview which can be downloaded by clicking here.

Both are in addition to the Transpositions interview with Steve which we featured in an earlier post.  Click here to read this interview.

Transpositions interview with Steve Scott

Transpositions has today published an interview with Steve Scott about Run with the Fire. Designed to exhibit in churches, they say that Run with the Fire is an interesting synergistic example of what happens when art, culture, and the church come together. Click here to read the interview.

Opening Night: Army of Artists 'Run with the Fire'

Click here for photos from the great opening night of the Run with the Fire project by Army of Artists and here for details of further summer workshops. This Run with the Fire project is a community art exhibition with creative workshops. It is a creative response to two themes linked with the Olympics – Communities Connecting and Light being passed from one person to another.

Inflame exhibition photos

Sue Newman says:

"I visited the Inflame exhibition organised by the group Love Streatham on Saturday and was really impressed by the time and thought that had gone into the selection and layout of the artwork, which was by local school children and residents, as well as some artists from further afield. The Run with the Fire digital exhibition formed part of the display. It was great to see it in action."

Run with the Fire update

A Run with the Fire update is available from the Veritasse website, giving details of events in Streatham, London on Friday and Saturday this week and in Plymouth, Devon the following weekend.

Please visit the Veritasse homepage and click on the blog entry to download the newsletter, which includes some of the artwork from the Run with the Fire exhibition.

Click here: http://www.veritasse.co.uk/.

Colours of Life

On Saturday 26 May around 1,500 people gathered for Colours of Life, an assembly for the Diocese of Leicester which included the Run with the Fire digital exhibition.

With festival feel for all ages, there was plenty for people to see, listen to, explore and experience. At the heart of the day was an interactive journey through five gazebos, each of which featured actors revealing more of the good news at the heart of the Christian faith, together with activities to experience more of God’s love in Jesus Christ.

All this plus a range of excellent speakers, an 100ft inflatable noah’s ark, Velcro Olympics, Christian magician Steve Price, fire-eaters, stilt walkers and jugglers, Messy Church, sports coaching, the finals of sports races run in schools, drumming workshops, Gospel Choir, biblical storytelling with Open the Book, the Emmanuel Gospel Choir, a creative art area for all ages, Christian Aid’s Unfair Funfair looking at issues of justice in the world, chainsaw wood sculpting, New Zealand singer songwriter Rory Mallone playing live, reflective ‘Taize style’ Eucharist, ‘Run with the Fire’ art exhibition, children’s DVD room, interactive experience Breathe, a 24/7 prayer room, Evolve dance academy, and much more.

The day concluded with a ‘festival service’ which drew the various strands together, including the singing of a song specially written for Colours of Life by Revd Eleanor Jeans and which school children have been learning over recent months. Bishop Tim Stevens sent those present out with the challenge to live out God’s call to be a full part of the community that is the Kingdom of God.

Run with the Fire Community Art Exhibition and Creative Workshops

SATURDAY 14th JULY – 5th SEPTEMBER 2012   ST.AUBYN CHURCH  DEVONPORT (incorporating a public library & cafe)

Run with the Fire is an exciting arts project and exhibition engaging churches, schools and community groups across Plymouth.  The Olympic Games will be commencing this summer – a time of excitement and celebration. Two strong symbols are associated with the Olympic Games, which will be used as inspiration for this exhibition.

- The Olympic Games motto is ‘Higher, Faster, Stronger’ and the symbol is made up of 5 rings, each ring representing a continent connecting during the games.

- The Olympic Flame stands for peace, unity and friendship, which is spread as the flame is passed from one torch bearer to another. Lit in Greece, it then sets out on a 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, shining light on the whole of the UK.

Run with the Fire is a creative response to these symbols; celebrating the stories, faith and skills that we pass on from one generation to another, building relationships, embracing life and connecting different communities.

THE BRIEF – Each person or group will start this creative process at the same simple starting point – a hula hoop or a circular disc of some sort. You are invited to creatively transform this Olympic ring into a piece of art which we will then display together representing our many connections. You may want to work on this alone and/or make this a community piece. Think about what you are communicating, the skills you are developing, how you are feeling and what flame you are carrying. Words to inspire – Running with perseverance, training, good news, spurring each other on, hope, passion, flame, power, celebration, warmth, life, passing the baton on, focus, light, energy.  Ideas - You may want to use photography, weave, stitch, knit, use beads, wire, felt, stretch canvas over the hoop to paint on, collage or do calligraphy…
ESSENTIAL DETAILS – Each final piece will be displayed vertically – hung up or stood on the ground against a wall. It can be any size up to a maximum of 1.25 metres in diameter. And it needs to be evident that you have started with a hoop/ring of some sort! Please let us know if you are offering a piece toward Run with the Fire. If you’d like to take part but would rather work with others, then do let me know ASAP as I may be able to organise group workshops.

You can email us at info@armyofartists.co.uk or contact Anita on 07890 201856

Inflame

http://www.lovestreatham.org/Inflame

http://www.streathamfestival.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/Streatham-Festival-2012-Programme.pdf

'Run with the Fire' exhibition photos

Photographs of the 'Run with the Fire' exhibition at the Strand Gallery and of the Launch Night held tonight can be found by clicking here and here.

The Run with the Fire exhibition is at the Strand Gallery (32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP) from 22nd - 27th May (11.00am - 6.00pm, Sunday 11.00am - 2.00pm), as part of the Pentecost Festival. Original work by commission4mission and invited artists complements the Run with the Fire digital exhibition (featuring the work of 25 international artists) to create a stimulating and exciting show with an eclectic mix of styles and media and exploring the broad theme of running life's race with passion and spirit.

Run with the Fire is an arts project for churches in the 2012 Olympics year organized by CANA, commission4mission and Veritasse based on the image of fire which links the Church’s Pentecost celebration with that of the Olympic runner. Run with the Fire aims to celebrate creativity, cultural exchange and hope for the future by providing a virtual exhibition of international artwork for use in Olympics-themed events organised by churches in 2012.

Run with the Fire provides a virtual exhibition of international artwork available on DVD, for display on large scale HD TV or monitor, or for projection using a digital projector. This digital exhibition can be presented as part of Olympics-themed events organised by churches in 2012 plus arts events or exhibitions organized by local churches. Copies of the Run with the Fire DVD can be purchased via http://www.veritasse.co.uk/cards-prints/most-popular/run-with-the-fire-dvd-pack/ or at the exhibition. A preview of the Run with the Fire digital exhibition can be seen at http://youtu.be/nFBGZDgFaw4, while for up-to-date news of the project see http://runwiththefire.blogspot.com/.

On Saturday 26th May there will be an additional programme of art talks and painting demonstrations:

• Painting demonstration – Harvey Bradley, ongoing throughout the day. See Harvey work on a painting and discuss his approach with him.

• The Spiritual Image in Modern Art - Mark Lewis, 11.30am. A broad overview of the spiritual impulse in the art forms of the modern world and their potential to turn our minds to higher things.
• Run with the Fire – Steve Scott, 12.30pm. A talk about the ‘Run with the Fire’ project and DVD.
• Stanley Spencer – A Visionary of our Time – Mark Lewis, 2.00pm. A talk which examines the life and work of one of Britain’s most renowned and eccentric 20th Century painters. The main themes include Spencer’s time as a war artist, and his extraordinary paintings which envision the Christian Gospels played out by the people in his beloved home town of Cookham.

• Praying with our eyes open – Glenn Lowcock, 3.00pm. A talk on using images as an aid to prayer.
• Emotional Tourist – Steve Scott, 4.00pm. What I am learning about art, life, spirituality, Trinity, and relational aesthetics from my travels in Bali and elsewhere.
• Christian influences on modern & contemporary art – Jonathan Evens, 5.00pm. A broad overview of modern and contemporary art and artists which engage with Christianity.

The event listing for the exhibition and launch night can be found at: http://www.pentecostfestival.co.uk/ai1ec_event/run-with-the-fire-exhibition/?instance_id=873. Directions to the gallery are at: https://www.proudonline.co.uk/contact.aspx.

Run with the Fire - Part 2

After the success of The Gathering Army of Artists are taking the Run with the Fire concept and running with it. This new project provides them with a timely opportunity to engage with each other and the Plymouth community once again. Here is their brief for Run with the Fire, a project packed with potential on many levels:

"Individuals, churches, schools and community groups are invited to take part in this creative project and exhibition. The Olympic Games will be commencing this summer - a time of excitement and celebration. Two strong symbols are associated with the Olympic Games, which will be used as inspiration for this exhibition.

The Olympic Games motto is ‘Higher, Faster, Stronger’ and the symbol is made up of 5 rings, each ring representing a continent connecting during the games.

The Olympic Flame stands for peace, unity and friendship, which is spread as the flame is passed from one torch bearer to another. Lit in Greece, it then sets out on a 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, shining light on the whole of the UK.

Run with the Fire is a creative response to these symbols; celebrating the stories, faith and skills that we pass on from one generation to another, building relationships, embracing life and connecting different communities.

Each person or group will start this creative process at the same simple starting point - a hula hoop or circular disc of some sort. You are invited to creatively transform this Olympic ring into a piece of art which we will then display together representing our many connections. You may want to work on this alone and/or make it a community piece. Think about what you are communicating, the skills you are developing, how you are feeling and what flame you are carrying. Words to inspire – Running with perseverance, training, good news, spurring each other on, hope, passion, flame, power, celebration, warmth, life, passing the baton on, focus, light, energy. Ideas - You may want to use photography, weave, stitch, knit, use beads, wire, felt, stretch canvas over the hoop to paint on, collage, or do calligraphy…

Each final piece will be displayed vertically - hung up or stood on the ground against a wall. It can be any size up to a maximum of 1.25 metres in diameter. And it needs to be evident that you have started with a hoop/circular disc of some sort!"

The project will result in an exhibition at St. Aubyn’s Church, Devonport (incorporating a public library and café) from Friday 13th July – September 2012.

Full line-up of 'Run with the Fire' exhibitors

Lilies by Miriam Kendrick

Refreshing by Rachel Watson

Christ over Creation by Ken James Ashby

Strange Flower by Christopher Clack

The final line-up of commission4mission and invited artists showing in the Run with the Fire exhibition at the Strand Gallery (32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP) from 22nd - 27th May (11.00am - 6.00pm, Sunday 11.00am - 2.00pm), as part of the Pentecost Festival, includes Ken James Ashby, Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Christopher Clack, Jonathan Evens, Christine Garwood, Jim Insole, Miriam Kendrick, Glenn Lowcock, Bradley Lucas, Henry Shelton, Sergiy Shkanov, Joy Rousell Stone, Esther Tidy, Mike Thomas, Rachel Watson and Peter Webb.

Original work by the above artists will complement the Run with the Fire digital exhibition (featuring the work of 25 international artists) to create a stimulating and exciting show with an eclectic mix of styles and media and exploring the broad theme of running life's race with passion and spirit.

Run with the Fire is an arts project for churches in the 2012 Olympics year organized by CANA, commission4mission and Veritasse based on the image of fire which links the Church’s Pentecost celebration with that of the Olympic runner. Run with the Fire aims to celebrate creativity, cultural exchange and hope for the future by providing a virtual exhibition of international artwork for use in Olympics-themed events organised by churches in 2012.

Run with the Fire provides a virtual exhibition of international artwork available on DVD, for display on large scale HD TV or monitor, or for projection using a digital projector. This digital exhibition can be presented as part of Olympics-themed events organised by churches in 2012 plus arts events or exhibitions organized by local churches. Copies of the Run with the Fire DVD can be purchased via http://www.veritasse.co.uk/cards-prints/most-popular/run-with-the-fire-dvd-pack/ or at the exhibition. A preview of the Run with the Fire digital exhibition can be seen at http://youtu.be/nFBGZDgFaw4, while for up-to-date news of the project see http://runwiththefire.blogspot.com/.

New community art initiative

We are excited and encouraged that the group of artists behind The Gathering are looking to create a piece of community art around the theme of Run with the Fire.

The Gathering was a contemporary art installation created as a Fringe event during the final week of the British Art Show 7 in Plymouth. It featured around 60 life-sized figures, created by community, church and school groups, to represent the millions whose lives have been transformed by one person. Just over two thousand years ago a comet, or star, moved across the eastern Mediterranean skies to herald the birth of a child. The Gathering reminded its participants of the significance of this historical moment for every individual and for the future of our planet. Over 400 people visited the installation during its brief three day appearance and the feedback was hugely encouraging to those involved.

Run with the Fire: Exhibition, Launch Night, Demonstrations and Art Talks

Run With The Fire is an exhibition at the Pentecost Festival in which the Run with the Fire digital exhibition will be shown alongside original artworks from commission4mission artists and invited guest artists. The Run with the Fire exhibition will take place at the Strand Gallery (32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP) from 22nd - 27th May, 11.00am - 6.00pm.

Including an eclectic mix of styles and media, this will be a stimulating and exciting show exploring the broad theme of running life's race with passion and spirit. Featured artists include Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Christopher Clack, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Robert Enoch, Jonathan Evens, Christine Garwood, Jim Insole, Ken James, Miriam Kendrick, Mark Lewis, Glenn Lowcock, Henry Shelton, Sergiy Shkanov, Joy Rousell Stone, Esther Tidy, Mike Thomas, Rachel Watson and Peter Webb.

A Launch Night on Monday 21st May, 6.00 - 8.00pm, will provide the first opportunity to see the exhibition and will also include music and poetry exploring the exhibition theme. Those performing include singer-songwriter and poet Malcolm Guite, artist-musician Colin Burns, artist-poet Jonathan Evens, musician-poet Steve Scott and performance poet Tamsin Kendrick. Refreshments will be available. Cost - £2.00, pay on the door.

On Saturday 26th May there will be an additional programme of art talks and painting demonstrations:

• Painting demonstration – Harvey Bradley, ongoing throughout the day. See Harvey work on a painting and discuss his approach with him.
• The Spiritual Image in Modern Art - Mark Lewis, 11.30am. A broad overview of the spiritual impulse in the art forms of the modern world and their potential to turn our minds to higher things.
• Run with the Fire – Steve Scott, 12.30pm. A talk about the ‘Run with the Fire’ project and DVD.
• Stanley Spencer – A Visionary of our Time – Mark Lewis, 2.00pm. A talk which examines the life and work of one of Britain’s most renowned and eccentric 20th Century painters. The main themes include Spencer’s time as a war artist, and his extraordinary paintings which envision the Christian Gospels played out by the people in his beloved home town of Cookham.

• Praying with our eyes open – Glenn Lowcock, 3.00pm. A talk on using images as an aid to prayer.
• Emotional Tourist – Steve Scott, 4.00pm. What I am learning about art, life, spirituality, Trinity, and relational aesthetics from my travels in Bali and elsewhere.
• Christian influences on modern & contemporary art – Jonathan Evens, 5.00pm. A broad overview of modern and contemporary art and artists which engage with Christianity.

The event listing for the exhibition and launch night can be found at: http://www.pentecostfestival.co.uk/ai1ec_event/run-with-the-fire-exhibition/?instance_id=873. Directions to the gallery are at: https://www.proudonline.co.uk/contact.aspx. The programme for art talks and demonstrations on Saturday 26th May is at: http://commissionformission.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/pentecost-festival-exhibition-saturday.html.

Hard copies of programmes for the Pentecost Festival can be ordered from: http://www.pentecostfestival.co.uk/contact/order-programmes/. The promo for the Festival can be viewed at: http://www.pentecostfestival.co.uk/promo/.

Run with the Fire is an arts project for the 2012 Olympic year organised by CANA, commission4mission and Veritasse based on the image of fire which links the Church's Pentecost celebration with that of the Olympic runner. Run with the Fire provides a digital art exhibition for use in Olympic-themed events and the digital exhibition and event guide DVD can be purchased from http://www.veritasse.co.uk/cards-prints/most-popular/run-with-the-fire-dvd-pack/. A promo can be viewed at http://youtu.be/nFBGZDgFaw4 while news of the project can be found at http://runwiththefire.blogspot.co.uk/.

Pentecost Festival event listing

The Run with the Fire exhibition and launch night are now listed on the events section of the Pentecost Festival website. Click here to find our entry and other exciting events which are part of the Festival.
Pentecost Festival is a Christian led festival based in London. It is co-ordinated by registered charity, Share Jesus International (SJI) in partnership with Christian Aid and various churches and Christian organisations across the UK.

Pentecost Festival is the largest Christian led festival in London and will be running from the 18^th-27^th May 2012 across central London venues. It attracts thousands of people and showcases what the Church in the UK is all about.

Previous highlights of Pentecost Festival have included; a BBC1 live Pentecost service broadcast at All Saints church Peckham viewed by over a million, a live music stage in Leicester Square for three consecutive years and 16,000 people attending an evening of worship in the O2 arena hosted by Jesus House church, Holy Trinity Brompton Church and Hillsong Church.

More Than Gold

The 2012 Olympics gives the UK church an unprecedented opportunity to engage with contemporary culture.

More than Gold aims to harness the creativity of the Church to connect with people around the 2012 Games.

Their Creative and Performing Arts team will give local churches and national Christian arts groups an opportunity to serve in the context of mission initiatives.

Their website has details of performers and artists for local churches to book and resources, like Run with the Fire, available for purchase. To find out more click here.

'GOD in the PARK'

'GOD in the PARK' is the latest Olympic-themed event at which the Run with the Fire digital exhibition will be shown. Run with the Fire will run on their big screen at different points during the day.
‘GOD in the PARK’ is an exciting venture that is happening on Saturday 14th July 2012. It is a day, where Christians from all denominations will come together as Christ’s body to Goodmayes Park for a time of worship, fun and fellowship.

'GOD in the PARK' presents a fantastic opportunity for Churches across the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering to come together, encourage one another and grow in friendship. The day is going to be filled with worship, lots of fun, (music, dance and street entertainment etc) bouncy castles, marquees serving tea/coffee plus cakes! Speakers include Jeff Lucas and Jonathan Oloyede. Performers include Dave Bilborough and Helen Yousaf.

All events that will be happening in the day will be free, but families and various groups coming on the day are encouraged to bring their own picnics. Keep up-to-date with news of 'GOD in the Park' at their facebook page by clicking here.

Pentecost Festival Sneak Peek

The Pentecost Festival 2012 Sneak Peek is now available for download or order and includes our 'Run with the Fire' exhibition. The overview of this years events opens out into a stylish A3 poster ideal for your church window, community notice board or bedroom wall! The full listing of events will be in the full programme launched in late March.

Pentecost Festival exhibition: Saturday programme

Here is the event programme for Saturday 26^th May at our Run with the Fire exhibition for the Pentecost Festival (Strand Gallery, 22nd - 27th May, 11.00am – 6.00pm):

·         Painting demonstration – Harvey Bradley, ongoing throughout the day. See Harvey work on a painting and discuss his approach with him.

·         The Spiritual Image in Modern Art - Mark Lewis, 11.30am. A broad overview of the spiritual impulse in the art forms of the modern world and their potential to turn our minds to higher things.

·         Run with the Fire – Steve Scott, 12.30pm. A talk about the ‘Run with the Fire’ project and DVD.

·         Stanley Spencer – A Visionary of our Time – Mark Lewis, 2.00pm. A talk which examines the life and work of one of Britain’s most renowned and eccentric 20^th Century painters. The main themes include Spencer’s time as a war artist, and his extraordinary paintings which envision the Christian Gospels played out by the people in his beloved home town of Cookham.

·         Praying with our eyes open – Glenn Lowcock, 3.00pm. A talk on using images as an aid to prayer.

·         Emotional Tourist – Steve Scott, 4.00pm. What I am learning about art, life, spirituality, Trinity, and relational aesthetics from my travels in Bali and elsewhere.

·         Christian influences on modern & contemporary art – Jonathan Evens, 5.00pm. A broad overview of modern and contemporary art and artists which engage with Christianity.

Harvey Bradley is a potter and painter who is a membership both of Anglian Potters and commission4mission. Mark Lewis is an artist, silversmith, Fine Arts lecturer, and member of commission4mission. Steve Scott is a writer, poet, musician, and the facilitator of the Christian Artist’s Networking Association (CANA). Glenn Lowcock is an artist and illustrator who is also a member of the Secular Franciscan Order. Jonathan Evens is an artist and writer who is also a priest in East London and the secretary of commission4mission.

Diocese puts 'Run with the Fire' centre stage

Run with the Fire is currently centre stage on the website for the Diocese of Chelmsford. The website page on Run with the Fire provides information about the project, the DVD (with digital exhibition and arts event guide), and the exhibition to be held at the Strand Gallery from 21st - 27th May as part of the Pentecost Festival.

Five of the six Olympic Boroughs lie within the boundaries of the Chelmsford Diocese. In particular, the Diocese covers the main Olympic Park at Stratford, Hadleigh Farm, the Mountain Biking circuit, and abuts the Lee Valley White Water Centre.

The approach to the Olympics taken by the Diocese is a holistic one with a concern for the environment, regeneration and legacy, social justice, and personal and societal well-being, as well as spiritual transformation of individual lives and communities.

The Diocese have their own dedicated website for the Olympics but Run the Race is about more than just the 2012 Olympic Games. It is about inspiring and challenging the church to think about its mission in new ways.

Olympics Focus Group presentation

Today we gave a presentation on Run with the Fire to the Olympics Focus Group for the Diocese of Chelmsford. There was an enthusiastic response to the digital exhibition with Focus Group members seeing multiple uses in Olympics-themed events and Pentecost services. As a result, Run with the Fire will shortly feature on the Diocese's websites and Olympics newsletter. Run with the Fire currently features on both the ArtServe and ArtWay websites.

Pentecost Festival and Run with the Fire

commission4mission is organising an art exhibition for the Pentecost Festival at which the Run with the Fire digital exhibition will be shown alongside original artworks from commission4mission artists and invited guest artists.


The Run with the Fire exhibition will take place at the Strand Gallery (32 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6BP) from 22nd - 27th May, 11.00am - 6.00pm.


Including an eclectic mix of styles and media, this will be a stimulating and exciting show exploring the broad theme of running life's race with passion and spirit. Featured artists include Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Christopher Clack, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Robert Enoch, Jonathan Evens, Christine Garwood, Jim Insole, Ken James, Miriam Kendrick, Mark Lewis, Glenn Lowcock, Tracy Mcculloch, Henry Shelton, Sergiy Shkanov, Esther Tidy, Mike Thomas, Andrew Vessey, Rachel Watson and Peter Webb.


On Saturday 26^th May there will be an additional programme of art talks and painting demonstrations.

A Launch Night on Monday 21st May, 6.00 - 8.00pm, will provide the first opportunity to see the exhibition and will also include music and poetry exploring the exhibition theme. Those performing include singer-songwriter and poet Malcolm Guite, artist-musician Colin Burns, artist-poets Andrew Vessey and Jonathan Evens, and performance poet Tamsin Kendrick. Refreshments will be available. Cost - £2.00, pay on the door.

Run with the Fire: initial uses

St John's Seven Kings used Run with the Fire as part of a Watchnight Service and also an All-Age Service based on Olympic themes.

The Run with the Fire digital exhibition ran as a backdrop to the entire act of worship at their Watchnight Service which focused on their Text for 2012 - "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12. 1-2)

They then used both the More Than Gold and Run With The Fire DVDs in their All-Age Service to begin preparing the congregation for the 2012 Olympics and to explore what can be learnt from the concept of the Christian life as a race to be run. In this service clips from the Run with the Fire DVD were shown as words and images for meditative prayer.

St George's Barkingside have shown the Run with the Fire as part of OPEN, a fresh expression of church which includes a multi-media meditation in each of its sessions. On more than one occasion the Run with the Fire DVD has been their multi-media meditation of choice.

Ideas Relay (21)

“The vision statement by Whojeong Lee was a wonderful gift to me, talking as it did about exploring the nature of the Holy Spirit through colour and texture. The picture takes three elements: fire, air and water to show different aspects of the Holy Spirit. He is the fire of Pentecost, the breath of life in Genesis and the Living Waters. As I thought about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, I realised that we "run" most successfully when the Holy Spirit can be seen through us. The less that people's attention is drawn to us (our faults and failings) the more they see God working through us.”

Sue Newham

Ideas Relay (20)

“I'd like to explore different nature and characteristics of the Holy Spirit and express what I find using various textures and colors. I will initiate this process by reading the Bible and meditation and prayers and ultimately interact with Him to understand what He wants to tell to the viewers and audiences through my art works. I know that each artist's works should convey his/her encounter with Him and finally celebrate the fact that He came to us and teaches and commands us and intercedes for us in prayer.”

Whojeong Lee

Ideas Relay (19)

“In this work I have tried to create an atmosphere which hopefully reflects my African roots.   In Africa family as well as tribal life have always and still take place around open fires. It is here that meals are prepared and eaten, stories are told and discussions take place. Settlers from Europe have adopted this tradition and so community life often takes place in a boma around an open fire or barbeque, called a braai in South Africa. In my work the open fires are also burning bushes that “do not burn up” (Ex 3:2). This holy fire is kindled in the hearts of believers and is then carried from community to community thus spreading the message of salvation through the blood of Jesus. South Africa has a rich heritage of ancient, even prehistoric, rock art. This has been a valuable source for my images in this work.”

Titia Ballot

Ideas Relay (18)

“As a result of reading Miriam Cabello’s writings, I was moved to co-create with Miriam a vision that could be common to all men, and which would hearken back to our origin as a species. I wished the paint to look as though it had been applied ‘naturally’, without artifice or academic perfection. The title is ‘Torches at Urulu’ - this painting was scripturally inspired by Psalm 18:28 (the numbers of which are also lettered above my signature in the original): ‘For Thou dost light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness.’ In this painting my concept is a primordial vision of our ancestors, of men that who have gone before under the light of stars and have been guided by the Lord on their way. Petroglyphs on the walls of the rock of Urulu signify the shapes of stars and planets, which themselves look like petroglyphs (the earthly kingdom, in some ways, is a reflection of the heavenly one). Water remains at the base of the rock from a recent rain, during which liquid runoff was deposited beneath, reflecting the light of men. There are three men, reflecting the three elements of the Olympic motto, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius.’ The theme, ‘Running with Fire’, applies here to the bearing of the torch of faith from one generation to the next ,as much as it reflects the Olympic theme of competing and allying with fellow men in these Games which begin and end with the bearing of a physical torch. The figures are warriors, strong and fit--one carries a spear, just as the believer carries with him the sword of truth. The path to victory through life, and sport, is narrow but achievable, if one is borne up and led by the light of the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit, in the power of the One with whom all things are possible.”

Rick Delanty

Ideas Relay (17)

“I was overwhelmed by a trip to Uluru with my mother last year, also known as Ayers Rock in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It is the spiritual land of Australia’s Indigenous people. We absorbed with all our senses the rich red ochre of the soil, sand and rocks. My mother and I ran our hands across the magnificent large sandstone rock formation called Uluru as we bravely walked the complete circumference on an extremely hot day (the 10km walk took just over 4 hours), we respected the wishes of the Aboriginal people and chose not to climb the rock. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. The many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings we viewed gave us tranquilly and peace that lead to moments of solemness and prayer. The painted dark figures on the red rock face of Uluru reminded me of ancient Greek vases (Athenian black-figure painting).  These images further enhanced the connection of the fire of the Olympic spirit with the red centre of Australia and Pentecost. The stars at night seemed almost reachable as they kissed the horizon, never have I seen the earth’s complete 360 degrees circumference. Uluru is notable for appearing to change colour as the different light strikes it at different times of the day and year, with sunset a particularly remarkable sight when it briefly glows red. Although rainfall is uncommon in this semiarid area, during wet periods the rock acquires a silvery-grey colour, with streaks of black algae forming on the areas that serve as channels for water flow. The glowing red of Uluru is my messenger of my country and all it symbolizes. The red glow of the burning torch that so many people carry with them as they walk around the rock, from every part of the world they witness the red glow and walk speaking different tongues as the wind howls through the rocks crevices and the ancestors respond and speak to us. We witnessed the spiritual gift the land gives to all, that listen to “its dreams of cross cultural harmony”. In keeping with the passing of the flame, the fire of Uluru reflects the spiritual journey of Pentecost and of the running messenger.”

Miriam Cabello