The Vermont Conference on Christianity and the Arts


Thanks to all who offered talks and workshops
and attended our 2008 conference.
Stay tuned for plans for our 2009 conference!

in Middlebury, Vermont at

Middlebury United Methodist Church (map)
Memorial Baptist Church (map)


If you're interested in the creative arts -- either as an artist, performer, creator, designer, or one who appreciates the arts -- and you take the Christian faith seriously enough to grapple with it, this day is for you!

This cross-denominational conference serves those who seek to understand and appreciate the value and significance of the arts within a Christian framework. It provides a context for interaction and dialogue among artists, audiences, and all who desire to integrate the arts and faith.

Our 2008 conference lineup includes talks, discussions, and workshops by
:

  •  Sandra Bowden - Massachusetts artist and exhibitions coordinator for Christians in the Visual Arts who has had works exhibited in the U.S., Canada, Vatican, and Israel. Sandra will offer our keynote address : "A Quiet Rennaissance: Artists of Faith for a New Century"

  • Jason Harrod - singer/songwriter, draws from the best traditions of American music to create a sound all his own. His songs about lost love, found joys, and spiritual longing have garnered him a loyal following across the country.

  • Isabelle Depelteau - Montreal-based scriptwriter, television producer, and professional dancer

  • Elisabeth Ehmann - Vermont painter known for her mastery of portraiture

  • Matthew Dickerson - Vermont writer of fiction and author of works on J.R.R. Tolkien, environmentalism and faith.

We appreciate your advance registration! Please see the Registration page for how to register.


Robert Siegel and Reed Prescott

photo ©2005 Paul Rogers

It's a place where thoughtful people, aware of the complex joy involved in the creative process, can come together and talk about the ways belief and art intersect and inform one another... It’s been a great experience for me to be able to share ideas and talk seriously with other writers who also think carefully about faith and the creative process."
- Steve Bertolino, St. Mary’s Church (Middlebury), M.A. in English, Penn State , 2003
"The first arts conference I went to was a breath of fresh air for me. I was on cloud nine afterwards! It was refreshing and inspiring to hear articulate presentations by respected artists who seek to understand the relationship between faith and art."
- Kara Krikorian, North Avenue Alliance Church
"VCCA has been an enlightening, refreshing, and encouraging experience each of the three years I've gone. I've almost always enjoyed the stretching of my comfort zone, but I always appreciate the community of artist/participants and the worship/fellowship times we share. It's a quality, well-planned event; with the broad range of art well-represented, and I'm again looking forward to this year's conference!"
- Kathy Jewett, Memorial Baptist Church (Middlebury)

Elisabeth Ehmann portrait
Portrait painted by Elisabeth Ehmann

Previous Years' Conference Workshop LeadersPhoto of Thom Leshinsky & Reed Prescott
(2004-2007)
Devin Arrington, Pennsylvania: Composition
Robert W. Brunelle, Jr., Vermont: Cartoons
Charmaine, Australia: Songwriting, Worship
Isabelle Depelteau, Montreal: Television Production
Matthew Dickerson, Vermont: Fiction, Writing
Ted Dickerson, North Carolina: Architecture
Cyndi Freeman, Vermont: Photography
Elisabeth Ehmann, Vermont: Painting
(portrait painting, example above right)
Steven Klimowsi, Vermont: Classical Music
Thom Leshinsky, Vermont: Guitar, Music
 (right, with Reed Prescott painting)
Jeff Miller, Massachusetts: Theatre
Ken Myers, Mars Hill Audio
Kevin Parizo, Vermont: Organ, Worship
Reed Prescott, Vermont: Painting
Paul Rogers, Vermont: Photography
Hilary Rushford, New York: Dance
Robert Siegel, Maine: Poetry, Nature Writing
Steve Thrall, Paris: Arts Ministry & Missions
David Wright, Illinois: Poetry, Hymn Writing

photo ©2005 Paul Rogers




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