Inspire: art as spiritual exploration

'St Stephen Walbrook' by Ross Ashmore

'Strange Fruit' by Christopher Clack

'Siloam' by Anne Creasey

'World in Despair' by Pouka

'Creation: Prayerful Attention' by Jonathan Evens

'Samson's Jackals' by Peter Webb

Inspire: art as spiritual exploration promises be one of commission4mission's most varied, exciting and interesting shows.

Ross Ashmore will show his depiction of St Stephen Walbrook, the venue for the exhibition, in addition to a sculpture of the Martyrdom of St Stephen. The same theme features in a life-size painting by Peter Webb, who is also exhibiting his latest wooden relief. Two of Anne Creasey's visionary works are included, as are two works by Pouka which also featured in our recent Deconstructing c o n f l i c t show. Among other work included will be Christopher Clack and Francesca Ross's archival ink prints, Caroline Richardson's fused glass panels, mosaics by Alan Hitching, and stone carvings by Clorinda Goodman. The show will be completed with work by Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Valerie Dean, Peter Delaney, Jonathan Evens, Mark Lewis, Janet Roberts and Henry Shelton.

Inspire will be at St Stephen Walbrook from Monday 18th - Friday 29th November, 10.00am - 6.00pm (closed on Sunday 24th November). A Private View will be held on Monday 18th November, 6.00pm - 8.00pm.

Inspire: art as spiritual exploration

Inspire: art as spiritual exploration is a commission4mission exhibition at St Stephen Walbrook from 18th – 29th November (10.00am – 6.00pm, closed 24 November). Among the artists exhibiting are: Ross Ashmore, Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Christopher Clack, Anne Creasey, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens, Clorinda Goodman, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Pouka, Caroline Richardson, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Henry Shelton and Peter Webb. Parish priest, Peter Delaney will also exhibit his work as part of the show.

A Private View will be held on the evening of Monday 18th November from 6.00pm – 8.30pm and will include a welcome from The Venerable Peter Delaney MBE. All are welcome.

c4m exhibition @ All Saints Woodford Wells

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.

Francesca Ross

Deep Peace, ink (20 x 20 cm)

Labyrinth, silk (49 x 49 cm)

Francesca Ross works particularly in watercolour, mostly on botanical grade illustrations of plants but also in acrylic, ink and fabric. She tries to show her faith not only in the subject matter (if 'religious') but also in the care taken and attention to detail in portraying the beauty of creation.