M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
The
2005 Winter Mormon Arts Foundation Retreat
By
Greg Hansen
The end of January, my wife and I entered the conference room at Salt Lake’s Little America Hotel not sure what to
expect, since it had been years since we had attended a Mormon Arts Foundation
gathering. There was some mention made of discussions, showings of new
works, keynote speakers and such, but what I really wondered was if such
a gathering of incredibly passionate working professionals in the five
artistic disciplines could result in anything other than a clash of raging
egos.
Just
the ongoing public discussion on Meridian Magazine about the arts had
generated substantial commentary and fiery opinions. But by the time
the overnight retreat was over, our initial fears would be completely
drowned in an overpowering sense of inspiration, camaraderie, unity and
goodwill among some of the most sincere, humble and earnestly creative
people in the church.
Notable names were everywhere, and all were people who made all or most
of their living with their art: in music, theater, film, visual arts or
writing. They were people whose testimony of Christ was etched out
in sound, film, words or paint on a daily basis, then held up to praise
or ridicule of an audience. Courageous people who wear their lives on
their sleeves.
But this was a place to recharge, to nourish one another, and to do so
without any inkling of competition. Everyone there had spent long years
of suffering to get where they were, and everyone had paid the price many
times over for the privilege of doing art for a living.
Considering the role of the working LDS artist in creating hope, sending
positive messages and countering the amoral climate that exists in the
media industry was one focus of this year’s MAF Retreat. There were many
other hard subjects discussed, and you can be sure that no one questions
artists harder than they do themselves. Amid the frank discussions and
insightful answers, came a sense of unity that could not be created without
this intentional mingling of people from numerous separate artistic disciplines.
This kind of gathering just wouldn’t happen across the arts without the
constant effort of Doug Stewart, playwright and founder of the Mormon
Arts Foundation, and the generous donors who provided the accommodations
and dining at no cost to the participants.
History
of the Festival
The Mormon Arts Festival began in 1995, at Tuacahn, in Ivins, Utah, a
memorably inspiring facility hugging the red rock canyons of Southern
Utah. It evolved from a festival there to BYU, eventually becoming large
and unwieldy, when the founders decided to make a change.
“We decided that we needed to return to it’s original mission-to refocus
back to those who were LDS working professionals, and to encourage and
nurture them in the creation and presentation of works that are virtuous,
lovely, of good report or praiseworthy.” said board member Robert Paxton.
To do that, they scaled back to a by-invitation-only approach, making
it possible to have a sponsor support the endeavor. Thus about seventy
people at a time could come and enjoy the retreat. Each event rotates
participants to include a majority of artists who were there for the first
time.
In addition to the inspiring keynote address by well-known musician and
BYU vice-president, Newell Dayley, the frank discussions, Ken Harris’
presentation and great dining, the “Show and Tell” events were intriguing.
Each invited artist’s presentation showed an amazing breadth of individuality, high skill level, and artistic expression. We were awed by the variety and depth of the individuals and their work.
My
compatriot Earl Madsen was asked to head up the current project presentations,
or “Show and Tell” portion of the event. He describes a sampling
of some of the works shown as follows:
"As I sat down to write about a few of the wonderful works we saw
and heard during the two-day retreat, this story came to mind.
"The story is told of a woman that loved to read. From her
earliest childhood memories, she loved books and reading. As a young
woman she had made an oath with herself that she would finish any book
she began; she would read it cover to cover. One afternoon she settled
into her favorite chair with a book from an author she had never read
before. Before the hour was up she knew she did not like the book.
Perhaps the worst book she had ever read. Vowing to keep her oath,
she labored the next several days to finish. Once done, she shoved
the volume on a high shelf in her library declaring it trite, silly and
very boring; without purpose or merit. Indeed the worst book she
had ever read.
"A short time later she found herself at a fashionable social gathering.
The finest in the community were in attendance. She soon found herself
in a conversation with a man she had never met before. She found
him amusing, articulate, well read and very interesting. Perhaps
one of the finest persons she had ever met. Sometime into the conversation
he asked if she had ever read the book she had recently dismissed as nearly
unreadable. Measuring her words carefully she answered yes, she
had. With delight he introduced himself as the author, then
devoted the remainder of the conversation to her and her life pursuits.
"That night she went home and rescued his book from the dust and
clutter of the top shelf and began to read. The beauty of the prose,
the depth of the characters and the wisdom of the story quickly took her
in. She read through the night, unable to stop. She finished
reading as the light of morning broke through her windows. She found
a prominent space in the library and placed the book in it; then declared,
that without a doubt, that this was the finest book she had ever read.
"Artists and producers from five artistic disciplines were invited
to the retreat—Literature, Visual Art Film, Music and Theater. Each
discipline was allotted a total of 20 minutes to showcase works.
I have chosen to highlight one artists or work from each discipline.
"The story I related at the beginning became a little more my story,
particularly as I thought about works from disciplines I don’t have day
to day contact with, namely Visual Arts, Theater and Literature.
Visual Arts
"For years I have loved Robert Marshall’s compelling landscapes. They are often reminders of the adventures of my youth when our family would load up in the station wagon, and later the not so mini-van, and visit places like Vernal or St. George and Pine Valley or Mesquite (long, long before the casino’s and the golf courses). Who hasn’t been moved at one time or another by scenes from the life of Christ from the brush of Del Parson.
But after the retreat weekend I find myself reflecting back on the images and explanations by Brian Kershisnik. My mother was born and raised in 'the South”, North Carolina to be exact, and my grandparents lived for many years in Georgia. During a visit to North Carolina several years ago I met a cousin that is a folk artist, she does amazing things with scissors, and discovered that I had ancestors that were artists—woodcarving, painting, embroidery, quilting etc. Brian’s style, I’d call it Contemporary Americana/Folk, choice of subjects and use of color remind me of the wonderful and simple perspectives on life created by people I hope to meet someday. And, I was taken in by his description and the images from his painting called “Multitude in the Valley of Decision.”'
An
impressive 20 foot long work that must be experienced to fully appreciate
it’s wonder. You can get taste of Brian’s work at www.kershisnik.com.
Theater
"I have never been to a play by writer/actor J. Scott Bronson, but that will change, soon. With the help of fellow actors Kathryn Laycock Little and Elwon Bakly, Scott presented a scene from his play Stones. A skilled playwright, Scott has written everything from romantic comedy to serious drama. Stones falls into the latter category. I have spent several days now looking for the words that will do justice to the experience.
"The
scene presented is an exchange between Jesus, prior his declaration of
his divinity and ministry, and his mother, Mary. The occasion was
the death of Joseph. Engaging, moving, compelling, comforting, hopeful,
significant and insightful only hint at the experience. This was made
all the more potent knowing of Scott’s own experience with life threatening
cancer. I eagerly await and e-mail or phone call telling me of an
upcoming performance.
Literature
"With the popularity of his Children of
the Promise, Hearts of the Children series, author Dean Hughes
has become a household name. I must confess, historical fiction is not
my first choice of fiction genres; but there’s a first for everything.
Dean read a passage from an upcoming volume in the Hearts of the Children
series. It was while I was sitting in an “interdisciplinary” breakout
discussion that what Dean had read the day before became much more meaningful
for me. First, despite a lack of encouragement from his academic
colleagues, he persevered—and thousands are better for it. Second,
while most of us attending the retreat were there with our spouse, Dean
was not. His wife, Kathy, was away on an assignment as First Counselor
in the Relief Society General Presidency. I found his commitment
to both her calling and his craft motivation to seek out his work.
Music
"With a soothing and beautiful harp and woodwind
recording of Newell Dayley’s beloved children’s hymn I Feel My Savior’s
Love filling the room, composer, arranger and producer Greg Hansen
came to the podium with a copy of the beautiful songbook 60 Favorite
Hymns. Greg oversaw the compiling and arranging of the impressive
book. The recording we were listening to was taken directly from one of
the pieces found in 60 Favorite Hymns. As we listened Greg
explained that the book was created as a tool for worship and to help
enhance the spirit in Church meetings, and an all around music resource.
Great for prelude music, wonderful arrangements for vocal solo’s and choirs,
many instrumental arrangements for piano, piano and violin, organ, even
a string trio arrangement. 60 Favorite Hymns is a wonderful
work for the eye, the ear and the soul. http://inspirationalldsmusic.com/
Film
"I found it very difficult to pick just one highlight from the film category. Each participant brought something very different and compelling. Grant Baird has spent his filmmaking career telling stories and communicating ideas in sixty seconds, or less. Next time you’re watching TV and, during a commercial break, you watch as a burley workman comes to the phone to sing “Eencie Weencie Spider” to his young daughter at home, with his work buddies listening in you've experienced the vision and skill of Grant Baird. He is also responsible for the Homefront spot where an elderly African-American women gives a quarter to a gruff, scruffy, very ornery motorcycle gang member in need.
The Mormon Arts Foundation retreat reminded us all that the arts are taking off amidst the Latter-day Saints.
© 2004 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.