Members' update: Jonathan Evens

Jonathan Evens' book The Secret Chord, jointly authored with Peter Banks of After The Fire, is now available in paperback as well as Kindle. The paperback is being sold directly from Lulu - click here for the link. 

The Secret Chord is an impassioned study of the role of music in cultural life written through the prism of Christian belief.

If you're a Kindle user, then the bumper bargain Kindle version at just £1.95 is available by clicking here. If you're not a Kindle user but would like the online version then click here to download free software to run the Kindle version.

The website for The Secret Chord is also up and running with news, bios, additional links, and room for your comments and views. Click here to access the website.

Jonathan's commission4mission publications featuring his meditations combined with paintings and drawings by Henry Shelton are Mark of the Cross and The Passion: reflections and prayers. These publications enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so.

Member's update: Harvey Bradley and Nadiya Tokarska Pavliv

Harvey Bradley is exhibiting in 'Soulful Ceramics & Peaceful Paintings' with Peter Deans, Mike Lang, Linda Claxton and David Bostock at the Maeldune Centre in Maldon from 18th October to 10th November. See above for opening times.

The current show at the Tokarska Gallery - Corsham Re-formed - can be seen until 20 October, Thur - Sat, 12pm - 7pm. This show explores the continuing influence of a uniquely British institution, Bath Academy of Art. The artists are drawn from the final years of the college’s independence in Corsham, near Bath in Wiltshire, over 20 years ago. A small number of the group moved to East London in 1987 and have been pursuing their creative work, some alongside other careers, ever since.

The following show will be Paintings by Jess Levine. Private View - 3 November 2012, 6pm - 8pm
Show runs 1 - 10 November 2012, Thur - Sat, 12pm - 7pm. Jess Levine's work stems from various sources which include personal travels, Kentish landscape, current affairs, childhood memories and textile designs. 

c4m exhibition @ All Saints Woodford Wells

Member's update: Jonathan Evens

Is there really a 'Secret Chord' that would both please the LORD and nearly everybody else as described in Leonard Cohen's popular song 'Hallelujah'  And are there some people who just don't get music, as in the next line in Cohen's lyric?

These are among the questions explored in The Secret Chord, a new book by Peter Banks  and Jonathan Evens. 

They say, “In the book, we seek to explore a number of the dilemmas which musicians and other artists face, not so much in order to map out one route through or around these dilemmas but in an attempt to get the creative juices flowing. Our experience of creativity is of disparate and often contradictory ideas being crushed, swirled, fermented, shaken and stirred in our minds in order that the fine wine of creativity results. Our hope is that The Secret Chord, by exploring artistic dilemmas from a range of different perspectives, will mature in reader’s minds just like fine wine or a precious pearl.”

“Secret Chord is an interesting and impassioned study of the role of music in cultural life, written through the prism of Christian belief. Covering a huge range of musical styles and influences, from gospel music to X Factor, Secret Chord conveys a great enthusiasm for music and its transformative powers, which readers are sure to find engaging.” Carol Biss, Managing Director of Book Guild Publishing

"Secret Chord is well written, full of wisdom, great quotes and illustrations. It's great to read something about art and Christianity that embraces such diverse material." Rev Dr Hugh Rayment-Pickard, author and co-founder of IntoUniversity .

Peter and Jonathan say, "While a significant number of books have been published exploring the relationships between music, art, popular culture and theology - many of which we have enjoyed and from which we have benefited - such books tend either to academic analysis or semi biography about artistes whose output the writers' enjoy. By contrast, The Secret Chord is an accessible exploration of artistic dilemmas from a range of different perspectives which seeks to draw the reader into a place of appreciation for what makes a moment in a 'performance' timeless and special."

The Secret Chord is available initially on Kindle  (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Secret-Chord-ebook/dp/B009OG5790/), price £1.95. Those without a Kindle can download a free Kindle PC programme at http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_ln_ar?docId=1000423913.

The Secret Chord website can be found at http://www.thesecretchord.co.uk and will be developed over time to enable further exploration of the issues raised.

Peter Banks is a successful composer and musician with mainstream chart successes in many countries in the world within his most well known musical collaboration, 'After The Fire'.  As well as a musician he has worked in other creative industries and now contributes professionally to various online publications as well as his popular music and technology blog, The BanksyBoy Brief.

commission4mission exhibition

Our next exhibition is this Saturday (13th October, 10.00am - 7.30pm) in the newly opened Atrium of All Saints Woodford Wells, Inmans Row, Woodford Green, IG8 0NH. There is no admission charge for the exhibition which is part of the Woodford Festival and the Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area. 

This exhibition includes the 'Run with the Fire' Olympic-themed digital art exhibition plus work by Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. The exhibition is being held prior to an evening concert at All Saints by the Meljon Singers (https://www.facebook.com/events/246345185469093/).

Together with Kathryn Robinson, Performing Arts Adviser for the Barking Episcopal Area, Jonathan Evens has also organised a poetry evening which is also part of the two Festivals. This Celebration of Poetry will be 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, Jane Grell, Malcolm Guite, Alan Hitching, Jennifer Houghton and Jonathan himself.

Members' update: Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska

Nadiya Pavliv Tokarska is exhibiting at the Edith Stein House in Wroclaw, Poland, this weekend as part of a fascinating weekend of events. The Edith Stein Society is inspired by the diversity of Edith Stein to create a space for cooperation, dialogue and development that shapes an active and responsible society.

The Big Draw

The Big Draw is underway this afternoon at St Mary's Woodford as part of the Woodford Festival and the Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area. Mark Lewis, Francesca Ross, Peter Webb and others are providing advice and opportunities to try creating portraits through drawing, painting and printing.

St Mary's Woodford is a key location for the Woodford Festival and they hosted the official opening of the Festival by the Mayor of Redbridge before the opening concert of the Festival; an organ recital by Lucia Aiche including pieces by Bach, Standford, Rheinberger, Utterback and Fletcher.

The church is also hosting an art exhibition, a 45-minute all-age service (Behold the Man) celebrating images of Jesus from different centuries and places, and a concert by the Crofton Singers (7.30pm) with a programme of five centuries of choral music alongside young musicians from Bancroft's School includes Madrigals, Finzi's Part Songs, Spirituals, Barbershop & popular songs – ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ‘Over the Rainbow’.

Other Festival events with which commission4mission is involved include:

Art exhibition - Saturday 13th October, 10.00am - 7.30pm, The Atrium, All Saints Woodford Wells, Inmans Row, Woodford Green, IG8 0NH. No 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/).

Together with Kathryn Robinson, Performing Arts Adviser for the Barking Episcopal Area, Jonathan Evens is organising a poetry evening which is also part of the two Festivals. This Celebration of Poetry will be 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, Jane Grell, Malcolm Guite, Alan Hitching, Jennifer Houghton and Jonathan himself.

Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area

This weekend sees the beginning of the Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area (https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/345602858863275/) to which commission4mission are contributing two events. This year the Festival is being run in tandem with the Woodford Festival.

The first is this Saturday (6th) between 12 noon and 5.00pm when Mark Lewis, Francesca Ross and Peter Webb together with other artists will be providing hints and tips on drawing portraits at the Big Draw event being held at St Mary's Woodford. All are welcome.

The second is a one day exhibition at All Saints Woodford Wells on Saturday 13th October from 10.00am - 8.30pm. This exhibition will feature work by Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Joy Rousell Stone, Henry Shelton and Peter Webb. 

Jonathan Evens has also been involved in organising a 'Celebration of Poetry' event for the Festival which is on Friday 12th October at St Paul's Woodford Bridge from 7.30pm. He will be reading poetry as part of the event which also includes Tim Cunningham, Jane Grell, Malcolm Guite, Alan Hitching and Jennifer Houghton. At both events the 'Run with the Fire' digital exhibition will be available for viewing.

Completed commission: Dagenham Park Church of England School

Peter Webb has recently completed our latest commission - two painted wooden reliefs for Dagenham Park Church of England School. The reliefs are a head of Christ and a head of Mary Magdalene (above are Peter's design drawing for the head of Mary Magdalene and the finished Head of Christ relief). This commission completes a circle for Peter as he first made wooden reliefs while an art teacher, as an aid in teaching Cubism to his pupils.

The commission will feature as part of the brand new state-of-the-art school building with world class facilities into which the school has recently moved. This new building has been designed to maximise every pupil's learning needs and cater for all individuals. The building, which was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, has been nominated for a British Construction Industry Award 2012 in the category of Building of the Year.

The design for the scheme forges a strong identity for the building and school centred around their specialism of performing arts. The new building is arranged around a key idea of having the performance hall at the heart of the building with flexible classrooms arranged around the perimeter. The space formed between these two uses creates two connected atria that provide open learning and social areas as well as natural light and ventilation. The school actively contributed to the design of the internal graphics and artwork that were produced by Studio Myerscough and were closely involved in the selection of feature furniture to create a unique brand for the school. Colour is also introduced to the façade to provide the building with a distinct identity with the palette drawn from variations on colours within the school logo.

Peter Webb's other commissions include paintings of St George and the Supper at Emmaus at Bishop's Stopford School. His painting of the The Denial can be viewed at St Marys Woodford.

Member's update: Harvey Bradley

Harvey Bradley is showing work in the Anglian Potters exhibition at the Ickworth Wood Sale and Craft Fair this weekend. This a great weekend at Ickworth House as woodcraft and craft professionals come together to sell and display their work. An opportunity to buy stunning items of furniture, gifts, treats and much more. With loads of stalls, live music, real ale, story tellers, steam engine, Anglian potters with Raku firing, local food and lots of fun for the whole family.