If you’re still on the fence about visiting the exhibit, just check out these two online reviews:
Opening Reception for the Interfaith Art Exhibit “Finding Common Ground through Sacred Words” a HUGE success
by Kathy Horn, Montclair Presbyterian Church (an organizer of the Interfaith Art Exhibit)
Guests were greeted by colorful flowers lining the portico of the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California near Lake Merritt on Saturday, May 11. They were celebrating the opening of Oakland’s Faith Trio Interfaith Art Exhibit sponsored by the ICCNC, Kehilla Synagogue, and Montclair Presbyterian Church. The crowd of 300 filled the beautiful auditorium which set the mood for Sacred Art with its traditional wooden trussworked ceiling and domed rostrum.
Ali Sheikholeslami, one of the exhibit organizers, and Mr. Mogarei, representing the Board of Directors of ICCNC, welcomed all and invited several artists and leaders from the three congregations to speak.
We learned from Reverend Katie Morrison of Montclair Presbyterian Church that the Faith Trio began after September 11, 2001, when three Muslim women visited MPC, hoping to establish a friendship because of their shared roots in Abrahamic faith. Kehilla came on board soon after. Rev. Katie’s screen print, included in the exhibit, references Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s quote from the Book of Amos in the Bible, “”let justice roll down like waters”.
The large gathering was treated to tales from the organizing committee, provocative thoughts, and personal meditations on the special creative process that was evoked by the theme of this year’s show: “Finding Common Ground Through Sacred Text.”
Susan Felix, a Jewish artist whose blessing bowls are in museum collections around the country, quoted Rumi: ‘beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.’ She blessed the gathering with “Peace, Shalom, Salaam. I bless us that we carried this field of love, of light, and the joy into the world.”
Rabbi David Cooper, a third generation needlepoint artist who is showing his beautiful “Imagine/Dim’yeyn—John Lennon”, also spoke of his support of this interfaith effort that helps us understand each other through our art.
Sculptor Jane Vanderveer, from MPC, gently questioned, “What is that still, small voice that nudges us to give birth to our deepest feelings through the creative process? …that Love that will not let us go?”
After refreshments, guests climbed the grand staircase to enjoy two large rooms displaying over 130 unique works incorporating text sacred to the artist. Artist statements are beautifully printed by Gregg Schwinn of Montclair Presbyterian Church and mounted next to each work, interpreting the Arabic, Hebrew or one of several other languages chosen by the artist. In this way, all viewers can understand the Sacred Text that inspires the work.
The ornate and unique “Eve’s Crown” by Mormon Jana Rains, impressed viewers for the nature and effect of its unusual materials in creating a believable, traditional adornment. She says of her work, “This is a crown I made to celebrate the story of creation and Eve—who I think gets too much bad press. It’s a celebration of her brave decision.”
Arash Shirinibab, Chairman of the organizing committee, presents a golden yellow, evocative photograph of a Sufi dancer twirling through a swirl of Arabic calligraphy, titled “Alive”.
Whether miniature or grand, delicate silver or found cast-off, stitched, carved or crafted, this exhibit offers much to contemplate. Each work is certainly a unique expression of the common sacred values shared by persons of all faiths and persuasions, not only those from the Faith Trio.
The interfaith art exhibit will continue Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 – 4pm until June 7th. The Closing Reception that day is from 5 – 7 pm and will include food, music and artists available near their work to answer informal questions. ICCNC is at 1433 Madison St., Oakland.
Be sure to check out this wonderful exhibit soon.
Wednesday, June 26th at 7pm, award-winning author Rebecca Solnit will be at MPC discussing her new book The Faraway Nearby. This book, her twelfth, is an intricate exploration of storytelling, memory, family and imagination. We hope you will join us for what is sure to be a fascinating evening.
The Interfaith Art Exhibit, co-sponsored by MPC as part of the Faith Trio, continues at the Islamic Cultural Center in downtown Oakland (1433 Madison Street, near Lake Merritt). The exhibit is open for viewing on Wednesdays 10 am – 4 pm and Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm between May 15th and June 5th.
