Inner Visions: festival of Art and Spirituality

In collaboration we Crow Cottage Arts, we are excited to present Inner Visions, a festival of Art and Spirituality from 17 November – 1 December. For too long both creativity and spirituality have been trapped in rigid boxes that scare us off — “art” and “religion” are formal things that have rules and good-and-bad and other norms that make it difficult to break in or to try it out or to make connections.

But the truth is that we are creative beings, made for connection with the Divine, with ourselves, with each other, and with the world. In this festival, we are exploring those connections, celebrating creativity, and digging deep into what makes us human. Our spiritual lives are not confined to the box of “religion” and our creative lives are not confined to the box called “real art” as if there’s some wrong way to express the spirit within us. This festival is for all, whether part of a faith tradition or not, whether you “get” art or not, whether you think of yourself as creative or spiritual or just curious and loving beauty.

A number of local artists, from professionals to workshop-goers to high school students, have created pieces specifically for this exhibition, and also written about their experience as spiritual beings who express and experience their spirituality in creativity.

Throughout the festival, the exhibition will be open to the public for several hours each day. In addition, there are events to which all are invited and welcome. The festival is entirely free of charge.

*Exhibition opening: Friday 17 November, 6-8pm, with refreshments, artists on hand to speak with, and music to lighten the soul.

*Alec Galloway lecture on stained glass and spirituality: Sunday 19 November, 3pm

*Panel Discussion with the artists: Saturday 25 November, 6pm

*St Andrew’s Day Spirituality Cafe (an informal gathering exploring some aspect of our spiritual lives through creativity, conversation, and snacks): Thursday 30 November, 7:30pm

*Exhibition closes: Friday 1 December 5-6pm

Opening hours:

Saturday 18 November: 12-3 pm
Sunday 19 November: immediately before & after the lecture by Alec Galloway at 3pm
Monday 20 November: 10 am-12 noon, and 7-9 pm
Tuesday 21 November: 10 am-3 pm, and 7-9 pm
Wednesday 22 November: 9:30 am-12 noon, 1-3 pm, and 6-8 pm
Thursday 23 November: 10 am-12 noon, 4-9 pm
Friday 24 November: 7-9 pm
Saturday 25 November: 4-6 pm (before the artist’s panel starting at 6pm)
Sunday 26 November: 1-3 pm
Monday 27 November: 9:30 am-12 noon, and 7-9pm
Tuesday 28 November: 7-9 pm
Wednesday 29 November: 1-3 pm, and 6-8 pm
Thursday 30 November: 5-7 pm (Spirituality Cafe at 7:30)
Friday 1 December: closing reception 5-6 pm

All are welcome! Please invite friends and neighbours, come as often as you like, and join us as we seek a deeper spiritual life together through the beauty of this world and this community.