Six Dialogues

Professor Bruce Herman
Fellow of the Center for Christian Studies
2003-2005

SIX DIALOGUES
Dialogue One:
Stories Hands Tell
September 27, 2003
Barrington Center for the Arts, Gordon College
Featured artist: Juni Van Dyke

The featured artist, Juni Van Dyke, delivered a 45-minute discussion of her project, which involved collaboration with nearby nursing home patients, the elderly and her own studio art. The installation in the Gallery at the Barrington Center for the Arts of Gordon College included more than 60 works of art, a looped video that featured a slide show of photographs from the lives of the nursing home patients in their youth, with a sound track of period music (ca. 1935). A panel discussion by five local church members followed the artist's talk, and this stimulating exchange engendered a lively discussion from the floor. Approximately 90 people attended.

Dialogue Two:
The Lanesville Murals
February 27, 2004
First Congregational Church of Lanesville, Massachusetts
Featured artist: Bruce Herman

The featured artist, Bruce Herman, delivered a formal address on the "Lanesville Mural Cycle," a collaborative project with Dr. Gordon Paul Hugenberger, senior minister of the Park Street Church in Boston. The talk included a slide and video presentation of Herman's artwork and examples of modern and postmodern art that relate to the stylistic concerns of the murals. Theological issues germane to the series were addressed as well. This was followed by a lively panel discussion by four individuals from a spectrum of local churches with different denominational backgrounds (Congregational, Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Evangelical Free). The discussion centered on the role and controversy of modern-style paintings treating traditional biblical subjects set in a traditional New England style church building. A lengthy and stimulating discussion with the audience followed. Approximately 80 people attended.

Dialogue Three:
Art into Faith
April 23, 2004
Barrington Center for the Arts, Gordon College
Featured artist: Wayne Forte

The featured artist, Wayne Forte, a professional artist who does biblically themed work incorporating text from Scripture into the image, presented a very stimulating talk emphasizing the role of visual arts in worship at his home church in California. Mr. Forte has employed other artists from his congregation who have been inspired by his example to collaborate on pieces for the sanctuary. The creative artist team receives a series of sermon topics two months in advance and then produces artwork to be used in worship. Panelists from local church congregations responded to the presentation, followed by a discussion with the audience. Approximately 50 people attended.

Dialogue Four:
If You Design a More Beautiful Cross, Should the Church Beat a Path to Your Door?
October 8, 2004
Barrington Center for the Arts, Gordon College
Featured artist: Ted Prescott

The featured artist, Ted Prescott, distinguished professor of art from Messiah College, delivered a 45-minute formal address on the issue of the return of beauty to public discourse on art and the important connections to be made between this and Christian thinking. This was followed by a lively panel discussion by four individuals from a spectrum of local churches with different denominational backgrounds (Episcopal, Eastern Rite Catholic and Congregational). A lengthy discussion with the audience followed. Approximately 90 people attended.

Dialogue Five:
A Transfigured Vision: Art and Worship in Community
November 19, 2004
Barrington Center for the Arts, Gordon College
Featured artist: Tanja Butler

The featured artist, Tanja Butler, associate professor of art at Gordon College, delivered a presentation on the relationship between art and worship featuring her personal artwork. This was followed by a panel discussion by four individuals from a spectrum of local churches with different denominational backgrounds, followed by a discussion with the audience. Approximately 80 people attended.

Dialogue Six:
Art and Faith Forum
March 31, 2005
Andover Newton Theological School
Featured artists: Bruce Herman, composer Delvyn Case, theologian Dr. Mark Burrows, theatre director Lisa DiFranza and poet Mark Stevick

This final dialogue surrounded the exhibition of Bruce Herman's work entitled "Broken Beauty," featuring a full evening of arts and conversation. Dr. Mark Burrows, professor of theology and the arts at Andover Newton Theological School, emceed the event that included a brief talk by Bruce Herman; an original poem and dramatic recitation by Mark Stevick, associate professor of English at Gordon College; an original composition and performance by Delvyn Case, assistant professor of music at Eastern Nazarene College; and a brief talk on the place of the dramatic arts in worship by Lisa DiFranza, professor of drama at Andover Newton Theological School. The audience, which included a variety of denominational backgrounds and also included non-Christians, enthusiastically responded to the presentations by the panel of artists. Approximately 80 people attended.