For over 30 years the Grünewald Guild has served as a creative and innovative example to the world of the transformative power of art and the sacred within the context of community. We are an ecumenical Christian community that embraces people of all journeys and traditions, serving as a sanctuary for their exploration of art, faith and the mystery of creation.
"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take the time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." - Elizabeth Lawrence
I (Ron) write this month's newsletter on the heels of this year's fall work weekend, which was a wonderful time to be with old friends and meet new ones. The leaves have turned here on campus, and in the yellow light of late autumn we spent the day tending to the various tasks that are required of preparing a campus for the cold and snow of winter. The wood is piled high, the pine needles are raked, the compost is spread over the garden. And this morning, the arch of sky outside my office window is a crisp, clear shade of blue. The eastern Cascades are stunning right now, including this little pocket of the Guild's green woods.
We invite you, even if something is left undone, to visit and take the time to see what I see right now...to sit still and watch the leaves turn. To breath deeply. To work with your hands and create. To sit around a table and laugh. To experience the intersection of art and faith and creation.
So come and savour this season, take time (even if you don't feel like you have it) to walk our paths, work in our studios and share in our meals. Revive your soul and drink deeply from the fountain of rest, renewal and creativity.
November 14-19
Our Holiday Gifting Week is a great opportunity to learn how to use your gifts in order to gift others during the holiday season. Classes this year include: glass fusing, weaving, sketching, collage, Advent calendars and working with essential oils. Cost is just $25 per session (all classes but weaving can be completed in a single session), and are offered at various times throughout the week, including evenings, to allow you the opportunity to participate. You can register through the website or by contacting the office.
December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18
For the month of December we have scheduled three seperate and unique Advent weekends which serve as a wonderful time to get away and savor the depth of the Christmas season. Each weekend will include a talk by Guild co-founder Richard Caemmerer about art and the season of Advent, as well as an art project (clay paper ornament making), time to relax, and live concerts each Saturday evening. Performers include Terry Holder, Beth Whitney and the Celtic Christmas Trio.
November 30, 5:30 pm
The Grünewald Guild has been chosen of one of several national sites to host an event created by Conspire Magazine called "Gather 'Round," which will take place November 30 at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the event is to get together around a table and enjoy a meal, celebrating the ideas of food, feast and table and will kick off a series of Advent services/gatherings here at the Guild. Our informal service will began after the meal at 6:15 p.m. in the Centrum and all are invited to participate with us.
In just a couple weeks, Guild staffer Scott Dillman and summer faculty member Sarah Jane Gray will be on their way to Haiti as they work with The Apparent Project to work with Haitian artisans and craftspeople. While down there, Scott and Sarah will be building a kiln and teaching Haitian artists the basic skills of creating, glazing and firing ceramic beads which will then be used in the making of necklaces and other pieces of Haitian-made jewelry.
We are extremely excited to be part of this opportunity and to partner with The Apparent Project in helping equip and facilitate the next wave of Haitian art and artists, and look forward to keeping you posted about the trip and subsequent progress of the project.
January 9-13, 2012
Join Iconographer Peter Pearson as he walks you, step by step, through the start and completion of an icon and cover such topics as: the development of iconography, the spirituality of creating an icon, and praying with icons. Icon writing workshops at the Guild are always popular and fill up fast: don't wait until the last minute to register for this one! For more information or to secure your spot, visit the class page on our website or contact us at the Guild office.
