Members update: Jonathan Evens

Jonathan Evens was one of the speakers at ArtServe's Hearts on Fire! festival weekend. Part of a double act with Peter Banks, co-author with Jonathan of The Secret Chord, their talk focused on the twin themes of artistic dilemmas and synchronicity which are explored within the book.

Jonathan said:

"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. Those disparate and often contradictory ideas are a little like the grit in the oyster which eventually produces the pearl or possibly, in this instance, the Secret Chord. Our hope is that this book, by exploring artistic dilemmas from a range of different perspectives, will mature in people’s minds exactly like some fine wine or that pearl."

Jonathan was also interviewed, together with Canon Ivor Moody (Vice-Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral), on BBC Essex this morning. The interview can be heard here (for the next seven days) and covered the Deconstructing c o n f l i c t exhibition and inter-faith lecture, plus their review of the Sunday newspapers.

Newsletter No. 17 - June 2013

 

c4m pops up at the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival

commission4mission held a pop-up exhibition in Harlow Town Centre for the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival in May. The exhibition, which included ceramics, drawings, fused glass, paintings, photographs, sculptures and wooden reliefs. featured work by Ross Ashmore, Harvey Bradley, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Ken James, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. 

A day on the visual arts was organised as part of the Festival with art talks, the Run with the Fire digital art exhibition and Harlow Seniors Photographic Society Exhibition at St Paul's Harlow plus a lunchtime reception at the commission4mission exhibition. The Rt Revd. Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford, outlined the background to Stanley Spencer's Christ in the Wilderness paintings before sharing meditations based on particular paintings in the series. c4m member Mark Lewis summarised the career of John Piper, highlighting his interest in abstraction, typographical content, war commissions, colour and contrast, stained glass commissions before ending with his murals including the Emmaus mosaic at St Paul's Harlow.
The final event in the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival also featured c4m members. Performance was an evening of music and poetry at Holy Trinity Hatfield Heath. Jonathan Evens opened the evening with a selection of poems that included The Mark and Worthship. Colin Burns performed songs and instrumentals from his Emerald and Gold album, as well as new material. Jane Grell read from her newly published Collected Poems Praise Songs. The first half of the programme was brought to a resounding conclusion by the Brass of St Mary's (Sheering) that included both Be Still and Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines. Mal Grosch made a humorous start to the second half of the programme with poems from his new collection entitled Blackfriars. A choir from Holy Trinity and St Mary's reprised songs from the Roger Jones musical David. The evening's varied and thoroughly enjoyable entertainment concluded with songs, a poem and a story by Jane Grell.

c4m @ St Paul’s Goodmayes

St Paul's Church Goodmayes (http://www.stpaulsgoodmayes.org.uk/) is to host an Art Exhibition for commission4mission - Monday to Sunday ~ 1st to 7th July 2013, open 10:00am to 4:00pm daily (Barley Lane, Goodmayes, Ilford, Essex IG3 8XE). Admission is free and light refreshments will be available.
The exhibition will begin with a launch night on Monday 1st July featuring artist presentations, Mark Lewis on the work of John Piper and c4m’s Annual General Meeting. Work by Ross Ashmore, Harvey Bradley, Anne Creasey, Michael Creasey, Valerie Dean, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Mark Lewis, Danielle Lovesey, Caroline Richardson, Joy Rousell Stone, Henry Shelton will be included and much of the work shown will be for sale.
Visitors will also be able to see an installation on the theme of peace plus the significant collection of permanent commissions housed at St Paul’s. St Paul's has been a generous patron of the arts through the generosity of the PCC and many ad memoria by it's loyal and faithful membership throughout its history. The church is home for a large selection of stained glass and is also proud to own a set of contemporary ‘Stations of the Crown of Thorns' a series of 14 individual pieces featuring a large Triptych and commissioned from c4m.

The last day of the exhibition will coincide with the 'Our Community Festival'; an annual event co-ordinated by the London Borough of Redbridge. This will take place in Barley Lane Recreation Ground directly opposite the church and will run from 12 noon to 4:00pm on Sunday 7th July 2013.

The Big Draw @ Norsey Wood
The Big Draw will be an event featuring drawing, printing and digital images at Norsey Wood, Billericay on Saturday 20th July, 10am - 3 pm. This free event will be a drawing opportunity for all who wish to come and is being organised by c4m member Harvey Bradley as part of the Billericay Art Trail. Artist leaders will be c4m members Mark Lewis and Peter Webb. Trail artists - Julia Tanner, Dezadie (digital artist), Lesley Cartwright. Meet by the Visitor centre. Children are to be accompanied by an adult. This event is associated with the national Big Draw movement - www.campaignfordrawing.org. The Campaign for Drawing has one aim: to get everyone drawing! The Big Draw will be followed by an Arts Evening at St. Mary Magdalen Billericay with Tim Cunningham and Jonathan Evens (poetry), Colin Burns (music) and Dezadie (animations) plus a dance group and projected images from the Big Draw (Saturday 20th July, 7:30pm - 10pm).

Stations of the Cross

An exhibition of 'Stations of the Cross' by Valerie Dean is currently at the Diocesan Office for the Chelmsford Diocese  (53 New Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1AT) in the Boardroom at Guy Harlings until Friday 26th June. Visits are by arrangement during normal office hours, as the boardroom is in regular use. Please check access before you visit by ringing 01245 294400. Valerie is also exhibiting in Brussels during June.

Art talks and exhibition reception

The Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival has featured a full day on the visual arts today with art talks, the Run with the Fire digital art exhibition and Harlow Seniors Photographic Society Exhibition at St Paul's Harlow plus a lunchtime reception at the commission4mission exhibition in 20 Broad Walk, Harlow Town Centre CM20 1HT.

Bishop Stephen Cottrell outlined the background to Stanley Spencer's Christ in the Wilderness paintings before sharing meditations based on particular paintings in the series. Mark Lewis summarised the career of John Piper, highlighting his interest in abstraction, typographical content, war commissions, colour and contrast, stained glass commissions before ending with his murals including the Emmaus mosaic at St Paul's Harlow.

Many of those at the art talks then came across to view commission4mission's current exhibition as part of our lunchtime reception. The exhibition continues until 4.00pm on Monday 27th May.   

commission4mission in Harlow

commission4mission's exhibition for the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival opened today and continues until 4.00pm on Monday 27th May. This is a pop-up exhibition at 20 Broadwalk, Harlow Town Centre CM20 1HT.

The exhibition features work by Ross Ashmore, Harvey Bradley, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Ken James, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. The exhibition includes ceramics, drawings, fused glass, paintings, photographs, sculptures and wooden reliefs. Much of the work being shown is for sale.

There will be a lunchtime reception during the exhibition on Saturday 25th May from 1.00 - 3.00pm, to which all are welcome and which has been timed to follow on from the art talks taking place at St Paul's Harlow that same morning. Click here and here for more information on other Festival events.

Those visiting Harlow for the Festival are likely to also be interested in its other artistic attractions. Sited throughout Harlow is a collection of sculptures of national significance. In the main squares and precincts, in numerous public buildings and at several schools, sculptures by artists, both famous and lesser known, are to be found. The Gibberd Gallery houses the impressive Frederick Gibberd Collection of 20th Century British Watercolours and Drawings as well as staging temporary exhibitions and community displays. The Gibberd Garden was created by Sir Frederick Gibberd, the planner of Harlow New Town, who designed the garden and filled the grounds with sculptures, ceramic pots and architectural salvage.  The Gallery at Parndon Mill has become a focus for the artists who have studios at Parndon Mill, and for those who work further afield. Gatehouse Arts has two galleries with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, promoting the work of resident artists and local community groups. Harlow Playhouse is a leading theatre venue providing a wide range of entertainment.

commission4mission in Harlow

Two of our newest commission4mission artists - Ross Ashmore and Hayley Bowen - will be exhibiting with us for the first time in our Harlow exhibition, as part of the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival and the Heart 4 Harlow Festival.

The exhibition will also feature work by Harvey Bradley, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Ken James, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb.

This exhibition will be a pop-up exhibition in a vacant shop in Harlow Town Centre. The exhibition will run from 23rd to 27th May, 10.00am - 4.00pm, at 20 Broadwalk, Harlow CM20 1HT. There will be a lunchtime reception during the exhibition on Saturday 25th May from 1.00 - 3.00pm, which has been timed to follow on from the art talks taking place at St Paul's Harlow that same morning.

c4m members are also making several other contributions to the Festival. Mark Lewis will speak on the work of John Piper as part of a morning of art talks at St Paul’s Harlow on Saturday 25^th May. Bishop Stephen Cottrell will also speak on the ‘Christ in the Wilderness’ paintings of Stanley Spencer. 

On Monday 27^th May Colin Burns and Jonathan Evens will be contributing music and poetry to a performance evening at Holy Trinity Hatfield Heath which will also include music from the Holy Trinity and 6 Villages Choir plus Sheering Church brass band and poetry from Jane Grell, Mal Grosch and Jenny Houghton.

The Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival is an initiative which began in 2011 and involves quality events from a variety of Arts genre as a way of embracing and celebrating performing and visual arts and engaging with the local communities, their people and arts culture. The Festival is organised annually but in a different part of the Episcopal Area each year and in parallel with an already established community arts festival within the Area. This third Festival runs parallel to the Heart 4 Harlow Festival. 

Other events included in the Festival programme are:

• Photographic Exhibition - Wednesday 22nd May - Wednesday 5th June (except Sundays), Weekdays 10am - 12noon, Saturdays, 10am – 5pm, St Paul’s Harlow, College Sq, Harlow CM20 1LP. Exhibition by Harlow Seniors Photographic Group.  
• Heart 4 Harlow Festival Launch – Thursday 23rd May, 6pm, Water Gardens Harlow CM20 1WG. Launch by the Chair of Council Maggie Hulcoop & a Beatles tribute band. 
• Schools Art - Weekdays 9am - 4.45pm, Gibberd Gallery, The Water Gardens, College Square, Harlow CM20 1WG. Artwork by local schoolchildren.

• Korban – Friday 24th & Saturday 25th May, 7.30pm, Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow CM20 1LS. From the producer of the critically acclaimed 2011 Private Peaceful comes an original telling of the life of Jesus, with drama, dance and music. A large cast of actors and musicians deliver a newly envisioned portrayal of the revolutionary's remarkable story.
• Village Fair of visual arts – Saturday 25th May, Water Gardens Harlow. Organised by the Harlow Arts Council as the beginning of their month long Art Festival. 
• Live stage entertainment – Saturday 25th May, Water Gardens Harlow. Featuring local bands, choirs, soloists & dancers. Plus Charity Stalls in Broad Walk, Children’s Fun Fair in the Market Square & Open Week – end at the LeisureZone. 
• Art Talks & Run with the Fire digital exhibition – Saturday 25th May, 10am – 5pm, St Paul’s Harlow. Lectures on the painter Stanley Spencer by Bishop Stephen Cottrell (10.30am) and on John Piper by Mark Lewis (11.45am). Refreshments from 10.00am. Digital art exhibition on Olympic/Pentecost themes showing from 10am – 5pm.

• Flower Festival – Saturday 25th May, 10am onwards, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7HG . Includes: Celebrity grand opening (10am); Car boot sale (am); Farmers’ market (am); Hog roast; School choir singing (11am); Parachuting teddies (11.30am); Dog show (1pm pedigree classes, 3pm novelty classes); Variety of stalls; Wood turners; Activities with artist in residence Pauline Brakspear; and Children’s activities.
• Big Lunch & Community Praise – Sunday 26th May, Various Harlow Town Centre venues. Bouncy castle and Games from 12.15. Lunch from 1 pm. 
• Flower Festival – Sunday 26th May, afternoon only, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak. Includes: Festival lunch in the marquee (tickets can be purchased in advance, tel 01279 718281); Afternoon tea and cakes; Organ music (church is open from 2pm); Art exhibition and sale. 
• Flower Festival – Monday 27th May, 10am onwards, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak. Includes: 10km road race (11am) (to register, visit www.hbo-10k.org.uk); Children’s 1 mile fun run (12.30pm); Barbecue (with pre-race bacon butties); Crafts market; Wood turners; Variety of stalls; Activities with artist in residence Pauline Brakspear; Harlow Falconry display; Kung fu demonstration; Children’s activities; Grand raffle draw (pm). 

Those visiting Harlow for the Festival are likely to also be interested in its other artistic attractions. Sited throughout Harlow is a collection of sculptures of national significance. In the main squares and precincts, in numerous public buildings and at several schools, sculptures by artists, both famous and lesser known, are to be found. The Gibberd Gallery houses the impressive Frederick Gibberd Collection of 20th Century British Watercolours and Drawings as well as staging temporary exhibitions and community displays. The Gibberd Garden was created by Sir Frederick Gibberd, the planner of Harlow New Town, who designed the garden and filled the grounds with sculptures, ceramic pots and architectural salvage. 

The Gallery at Parndon Mill has become a focus for the artists who have studios at Parndon Mill, and for those who work further afield. Gatehouse Arts has two galleries with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, promoting the work of resident artists and local community groups. Harlow Playhouse is a leading theatre venue providing a wide range of entertainment. 

Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area

commission4mission will be creating a pop-up gallery at 20 Broadwalk in Harlow Town Centre for this year’s Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival. The exhibition will be open from Thursday 23^rd – Monday 27^th May, 10.00am – 4.00pm and a lunchtime reception will be held on Saturday 25^th May from 1.00 – 3.00pm.

c4m members are also making several other contributions to the Festival. Mark Lewis will speak on the work of John Piper as part of a morning of art talks at St Paul’s Harlow on Saturday 25^th May. Bishop Stephen Cottrell will also speak on the ‘Christ in the Wilderness’ paintings of Stanley Spencer. 

On Monday 27^th May Colin Burns and Jonathan Evens will be contributing music and poetry to a performance evening at Holy Trinity Hatfield Heath which will also include music from the six churches and poetry from Jane Grell, Mal Grosch and Jenny Houghton.

The Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival is an initiative which began in 2011 and involves quality events from a variety of Arts genre as a way of embracing and celebrating performing and visual arts and engaging with the local communities, their people and arts culture. The Festival is organised annually but in a different part of the Episcopal Area each year and in parallel with an already established community arts festival within the Area. This third Festival runs parallel to the Heart 4 Harlow Festival.

Other events included in the Festival programme are:

• Photographic Exhibition - Wednesday 22nd May - Wednesday 5th June (except Sundays), Weekdays 10am - 12noon, Saturdays, 10am – 5pm, St Paul’s Harlow, College Sq, Harlow CM20 1LP. Exhibition by Harlow Seniors Photographic Group.  
• Heart 4 Harlow Festival Launch – Thursday 23rd May, 6pm, Water Gardens Harlow CM20 1WG. Launch by the Chair of Council Maggie Hulcoop & a Beatles tribute band. 
• Schools Art - Weekdays 9am - 4.45pm, Gibberd Gallery, The Water Gardens, College Square, Harlow CM20 1WG. Artwork by local schoolchildren.

• Korban – Friday 24th & Saturday 25th May, 7.30pm, Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow CM20 1LS. From the producer of the critically acclaimed 2011 Private Peaceful comes an original telling of the life of Jesus, with drama, dance and music. A large cast of actors and musicians deliver a newly envisioned portrayal of the revolutionary's remarkable story.
• Village Fair of visual arts – Saturday 25th May, Water Gardens Harlow. Organised by the Harlow Arts Council as the beginning of their month long Art Festival. 
• Live stage entertainment – Saturday 25th May, Water Gardens Harlow. Featuring local bands, choirs, soloists & dancers. Plus Charity Stalls in Broad Walk, Children’s Fun Fair in the Market Square & Open Week – end at the LeisureZone. 
• Art Talks & Run with the Fire digital exhibition – Saturday 25th May, 10am – 5pm, St Paul’s Harlow. Lectures on the painter Stanley Spencer by Bishop Stephen Cottrell (10.30am) and on John Piper by Mark Lewis (11.45am). Refreshments from 10.00am. Digital art exhibition on Olympic/Pentecost themes showing from 10am – 5pm. 

• Flower Festival – Saturday 25th May, 10am onwards, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7HG . Includes: Celebrity grand opening (10am); Car boot sale (am); Farmers’ market (am); Hog roast; School choir singing (11am); Parachuting teddies (11.30am); Dog show (1pm pedigree classes, 3pm novelty classes); Variety of stalls; Wood turners; Activities with artist in residence Pauline Brakspear; and Children’s activities.
• Big Lunch & Community Praise – Sunday 26th May, Various Harlow Town Centre venues. Bouncy castle and Games from 12.15. Lunch from 1 pm. 
• Flower Festival – Sunday 26th May, afternoon only, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak. Includes: Festival lunch in the marquee (tickets can be purchased in advance, tel 01279 718281); Afternoon tea and cakes; Organ music (church is open from 2pm); Art exhibition and sale. 
• Flower Festival – Monday 27th May, 10am onwards, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak. Includes: 10km road race (11am) (to register, visit www.hbo-10k.org.uk); Children’s 1 mile fun run (12.30pm); Barbecue (with pre-race bacon butties); Crafts market; Wood turners; Variety of stalls; Activities with artist in residence Pauline Brakspear; Harlow Falconry display; Kung fu demonstration; Children’s activities; Grand raffle draw (pm). 

Those visiting Harlow for the Festival are likely to also be interested in its other artistic attractions. Sited throughout Harlow is a collection of sculptures of national significance. In the main squares and precincts, in numerous public buildings and at several schools, sculptures by artists, both famous and lesser known, are to be found. The Gibberd Gallery houses the impressive Frederick Gibberd Collection of 20th Century British Watercolours and Drawings as well as staging temporary exhibitions and community displays. The Gibberd Garden was created by Sir Frederick Gibberd, the planner of Harlow New Town, who designed the garden and filled the grounds with sculptures, ceramic pots and architectural salvage. 

The Gallery at Parndon Mill has become a focus for the artists who have studios at Parndon Mill, and for those who work further afield. Gatehouse Arts has two galleries with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, promoting the work of resident artists and local community groups. Harlow Playhouse is a leading theatre venue providing a wide range of entertainment. 

Newsletter No. 16 – May 2013

Tenth completed commission: Altar Frontal by Anne Creasey

commission4mission's tenth commission, an altar frontal by Anne Creasey, was installed at Christ Church Thames View for the church's Easter Day services.
 

The all year round altar frontal features the colours of the Church calendar and incorporates a central cross in gold surmounted by the sun. The sun's rays also form pentecostal flames while the ball of the sun equates to the host raised above the chalice. Stunning from a distance, the frontal's design also repays closer inspection through the intricate details of Anne's embroidery and appliqué work, particularly on the ball of the sun and its rays.

Rev. Mina Smallman, Vicar of Christ Church, said: “The congregation loved it. The church building has a practical sense to it, no stained glass windows; all we had was a wooden altar. The frontal has given the altar a wow factor.”

Our 10 completed commissions have involved nine of our artists and have included etched windows, fused glass windows, holy water stoup in oak and brass, mosaics, paintings, textiles and wooden reliefs. In under five years commission4mission has built a significant pool of creative artists able to deliver a wide variety of quality work to fit a range of budgets making the commissioning of contemporary art viable for churches of all sizes and contexts. Anne Creasey's altar frontal is a marvellous example, as we reach this milestone of our 10th completed commission, of what can be achieved when artists and churches share a vision for creativity and mission.

Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival 2013

commission4mission will be creating a pop-up gallery at 20 Broadwalk in Harlow Town Centre for this year’s Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival. The exhibition will be open from Thursday 23^rd – Monday 27^th May, 10.00am – 4.00pm and a lunchtime reception will be held on Saturday 25^th May from 1.00 – 3.00pm.

c4m members are also making several other contributions to the Festival. Mark Lewis will speak on the work of John Piper as part of a morning of art talks at St Paul’s Harlow on Saturday 25^th May. Bishop Stephen Cottrell will also speak on the ‘Christ in the Wilderness’ paintings of Stanley Spencer. On Monday 27^th May Colin Burns and Jonathan Evens will be contributing music and poetry to a performance evening at Holy Trinity Hatfield Heath which will also include music from the six churches and poetry from Jane Grell, Mal Grosch and Jenny Houghton. For more information see http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/areas-and-bishops/barking-area-team/events/art-trail. 

Exhibition & events in July

commission4mission will be exhibiting at St Paul’s Goodmayes from 1^st – 7^th July, 10.00am – 4.00pm. St Paul’s is a church which has consistently commissioned contemporary artists throughout its history - most recently, through c4m, of a set of Stations of the Cross by Henry Shelton – and has made creative use of the Arts in its engagement with the local community. Our exhibition will span the Patronal Festival of St Paul’s and the Our Community Festival to which it has regularly contributed arts events.

c4m member Harvey Bradley is involved in the organisation of this year's Billericay Art Trail (11th - 21st July). He has organised input from c4m members to a Big Draw event at Norsey Woods, 10.00am - 3.00pm, and a Performance evening with dance, music and poetry at St Mary Magdalen, 7.30 - 9.30pm, on Saturday 20th July. See http://www.billericayarttrail.co.uk/ for full details.

Days and Rites

Mark Lewis has recently published Days and Rites: Popular customs of the Church (Heart of Albion Press). In the book, Mark describes liturgical traditions which have survived unbroken over many centuries, together with others which have been revived after a break during the twentieth century. By drawing together, for the first time, detailed information about these popular customs of the church, he hopes to stimulate further interest, research and recording of these remarkable events.

Member Profile: Pouka

Pouka is an artist and sculptor who believes in the ability of human love and kindness to make our world a free and safe environment for every living creature. The huge challenges we are facing in our modern times are the driving force of the creativity in his artwork as he believes everything created has its own purpose, like the earth we live in - there is no other place where humans can share the same breath with animals and plants or drink the same water and many other things.