The Christian Church has distanced herself from the arts over the course of the past several hundred years. The result? Artists who don't understand how their calling as an artist means anything to their calling as a disciple of Jesus. Churches who miss out on experiencing the beauty of God's love and grace that can be found in the arts. Bible enthusiasts who miss the artistry of the Scripture and world God created. Disciples of Jesus who miss God's expression as the Master Artist and our call to live beautiful lives. A church body that has withdrawn from the arts in wider culture. People who value the arts and think that Christianity is against art. Neighbors who might need God's beauty expressed in a poem or song or painting to draw them to Christ.
Out of a heart for these needs, Karly Alexandra Smith sensed a call to serve artists, the church, and her community in Northeast Ohio(NEO). United Adoration(UA), a global arts missions organization, cares about all of this, too, and has sent Karly as an artist missionary to serve in NEO.
In order to serve Northeast Ohio better, I am doing research around how churches engage in the arts. I'd love to hear from you!
Are you an artist who longs for a community of artists to encourage you in both your faith and in your making?
Are you someone who values the arts and wishes for followers of Christ to be more involved in wider arts culture?
Are you a church looking for ways to invest in your community or to grow in sharing God's goodness with Northeast Ohio?
If any of these resonate, here are ways you can get involved: