Mark your calendar for this conference on art and faith, which features renowned artist Makoto Fujimura.
Churches have long been known for displaying paintings, carvings, stained glass, and more. On March 1, Greenville First Presbyterian Church will expand on this tradition with the Mystery of Beauty, an arts conference celebrating the beauty found in daily life and in the arts.
Makoto Fujimura, an internationally acclaimed artist whose work has been displayed widely, from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo to the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, will participate in the conference. He’ll be joined by Dr. Wesley Vander Lugt, a professor of art and theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; Abilene Music, a classical-fusion ensemble; and Greenville artist Caroline Riddle.
Fujimura’s works have been displayed throughout all three floors of the Galleries at First Presbyterian since January 5, and they’ll be open to the public through July 26. The display, called Mysterion, showcases Fujimura’s slow art, which the New York Times called “a small rebellion against the quickening of time.”
In addition to his art, which connects ancient Japanese aesthetics with contemporary art and theology, Fujimura is a speaker, writer, and arts advocate, and was a presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003–2009.
First Presbyterian Greenville is continuing to build its Fine Arts Ministry, which was designed to provide a connection for artists, create space for conversations about art and faith, and provide creative outlets. “FPC Arts is thrilled to be able to host conversations about faith and art,” says Chelsea Fraser, Fine Arts Ministry director. “It is important that the church discuss questions of art, beauty, and creativity and how these things underpin our humanity.”
The Mystery of Beauty Conference Details
What: The Mystery of Beauty
When: March 1, 2024
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., Greenville
For more information: FirstPresGreenville.org/events, 864.565.0907
