News

creative spirituality

Originally posted on the Soulistry blog on Feb 25, 2009 by June Maffin, Soulistry: Artistry of the Soul retreat leader

Topics: art, creativity, spirituality

I believe that everyone is an artist - that they have been gifted with creativity in some way. Many have identified that gift and nurture it in unique ways here at ArtID. I delight in viewing the various galleries and reading the blogs for your artwork nourishes my spirit.

While I wouldn't self-define as a watercolourist or a painter, sculptor, fibre artist, calligrapher, dancer, architect, photographer, singer, quilter etc.,I would self-define as a CreativeSpirituality Artist. It's a description I've come up with to describe what and why I do what do for I’m fascinated by the connection between creativity and spirituality - between art and soul.

The butterfly is a wonderful (wonder-filled) symbol for me ... of new birth ... beginnings ... creativity and spirituality ... evolution, so that's why I've used it for this blog post.

Fascination with the connection between art and soul has resulted in the birthing/ evolution of "Soulistry: Artistry of the Soul" workshops and retreats ... as has my involvement with ArtID ... and now, the creation of a new Facebook group: "CreativeSpirituality"

Facebook's "CreativeSpirituality" is a cyberplace offering space to chat about creativity and spirituality, share thoughts and experiences, ponder possibilities, raise questions, network with other like-minded artists. Here's a link to the group with an invitation to join.
http://www.facebook.com/n/?group.php&gid=52990023681&aref=4698241

The more who contribute to the conversations, begin new subjects, comment on existing posts, share thoughts and experiences, post artwork, etc., the more we’ll encourage and be encouraged by one another in our creative/artistic ventures and expressions and grow in our understanding and expression of spirituality in our lives and art.

So, I invite you to join the group - and if you do, it would be great to learn that you found the group via ArtID - helping to "spread the ArtID word" in the Facebook community. ;-) I look forward to seeing you there! ;-) June

June will be offering Soulistry: Artistry of the Soul at Queenswood on June 8-11. Click here to register now and learn about how you can take part in Queenswood's May discount on all 2009 retreats.

queenswood open house

Submitted on May 10, 2009 by Kate Fagan Taylor, Executive Director

Hundreds of enthusiastic guests discovered Queenswood yesterday at the Open House. After a week of rain, it was a brilliant sunny day, and Queenswood just sparkled. All the hard work of the past year felt worthwhile as visitors experienced the beauty of the facility and grounds. Large groups enjoyed the tours, exploring the special history, art and architecture of the grounds. Guests filled the free workshops on spirituality, spiritual practises (labyrinth, medicine wheel, reiki), tools for managing stress, and drop-in qi gong and yoga classes. One guest told me "I just meant to peek in, and I stayed for hours!"

The trays of baked treats and appetizers which the kitchen staff shared in the Queenswood Cafe disappeared quickly, As guests chatted with volunteers about Queenswood programs and services, their enthusiasm was wonderful to see. By day's end, we all realized that we would have to do an open house like this every year. It was a great experience of community and a wonderful accomplishment for our staff and volunteers. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who took part!

all from a flute: mark mcgregor

Submitted on May 4, 2009 by Barb Northwood, Weekend Hospitality Coordinator

Mark McGregor came to Queenswood to play the flute for the Evenings with an Artist Series. As I have told different people about his being here, I have been corrected for how I pronounce "flutist." So, I began calling him, "The man who plays the flute." I sat with Mark at the dinner table on Sunday evening and after I introduced myself I asked him about the pronunciation and he said it the same way I had been saying it. I asked him about the other way, which he had heard but didn't subscribe too and I felt vindicated. I smiled at that and warmed to him right away. He spoke at dinner of his studies - he is close to getting his Doctorate in Music which will allow him to teach at Universities. Mostly though, he continues his studies because he wants to keep learning more about what he does. He is clearly passionate about the flute.

After supper we made our way down to the chapel where, after an introduction by Sister Marina, Mark began the evening's performance. And the evening's education. I can see the aspect of him that is a teacher and who would teach music in an interesting way. He taught us about composers and the flute both of the past and the present. And he shared his interest, passion and respect for contemporary Canadian composers. My eyes closed for much of his playing as I let the notes really penetrate deeply. I noticed many other people were doing the same thing. I haven't heard the flute being played like Mark played it ever before. Afterward, he asked me if I had liked one piece, "East, South, West and North", written by a Jennifer Butler who is originally from Victoria and is a fellow student in the Doctorate program . While he was playing, he had watched some of my facial expressions and wasn't sure if I had. Mostly, when I was listening, I was putting the music with the stories he had told before he began to play. East - sounds from the Far East. South - tropical birds. West - the coast, ferries, sea. North - wolves howling. All from a flute, can you imagine? My mind concentrated so deeply on finding the images the sounds created - I thought that must have been the face he saw. But, as I have been pondering it since, I realize that there were some notes that were challenging for my ear to listen to and my face likely reflected that. And that is true in a few of the pieces Mark played. But, I stayed with it - listening deeply to sounds that are unfamiliar to me and I was rewarded because the sounds really did evoke the images he spoke of.

Elsewhere in his playing, as I sat with my eyes gently shut, I let images float through my mind. JoAnne Di Castri, whose late husband was the architect who designed the room we were in, was in audience, beautiful in a turquoise shawl. I have been thinking of painting her a painting based on the colour turquoise which is her favourite colour and had just spoken to her about it prior to Mark's performance. With that in my mind, I listened to the music and watched the images I might paint grow through my mind. Some of the pieces created lush gardens in my mind's eye - with lots of turquoise. Some created running water. And walking paths, seas, birds. I smiled several times as the birds chirping outside the chapel grew quite loud and joined with Mark's music. Other parts of what Mark played made me smile as well. I am not sure how to describe it, but it was a joyful sound.

Watching Mark play is an experience and I am glad I kept my eyes open for parts of the evening. His face and eyes are extremely expressive and his body moves in a way that somehow seems to reinforce the story of the music he is telling us with the flute. There was one piece near the end where his body conveyed a playfulness within the piece that made me laugh out loud. Fortunately not too loudly but still, a laugh. Earlier in his performance, he played a piece that was heart wrenchingly beautiful. After sitting for a little while wondering how best to describe the evening I realize that is likely what comes closest - heart and beautiful. He received a standing ovation and everyone I spoke to was visibly touched by their experience in listening to him play. It was a lovely evening.

For more information on Mark his website is at: http://www.markmcgregor.ca/

dawning of a new story -- radical hope

Submitted on May 6, 2009 by Dawn Mahara, ssa, Administrative Assistant

This theme was interwoven through the opening ritual, speakers, dances and the atmosphere as 1700 women converged to participate in the Northwest Catholic Women’s Convocation held at Bellevue, Washington, May 1-2, 2009. This event was held at the Meydenbauer Center, organized by the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center.

Kate Fagan Taylor and eleven Sisters of St. Ann attended this awesome event. Upon arrival we registered immediately and received a beautiful hand crafted bag, made by a women’s co-op in Mexico with the logo screen painted by a rehabilitation group in the United States. For the women involved in creating these bags they experienced hope!
Most of the 1700 participants who passed by Queenswood table, stopped to chat to Kate and pick up information as well as sign up for our e-newsletter. They appeared impressed by what is offered at Queenswood. Two or three of the individuals have stayed at Queenswood at one time or another and seemed interested in coming again.

My overall impression of the conference is expressed well in the sub-title to the convocation: Dawning of a new story-radical hope. For me the opening statement in the booklet says it well:

“In this sacred place we gather for prayer, ritual, education, empowerment, celebration and transformation. Together we will envision new stories for our church and our world!

An event of this magnitude is not an undertaking for the fainthearted, but neither is our purpose or our commitment. This Convocation is happening because you, women of faith, have called us to convene women In Radical Hope.”

- Convening Team: Judy Byron, OP, Linda Haydock, SNJM, Chris Hillman

The focus of envisioning new stories for our church and our world was highlighted by the gifted speakers who offered insights on the following topics:

Riane Eisler: “What’s Good for Women is Good for the World.”
Ivonne Gebara: “The Radical Hope of Daily Life.”
Cokie Roberts: “Women Leaders: Radical Hope for our World.”
Margaret Wheatley: “The Future of the World Depends on Women.”

As each speaker was introduced, we were invited to extend our hands in a blessing. This blessing touched each speaker who felt it was an experience that is rarely given in a patriarchal system.

The concluding ritual in song, poetry and dance encapsulated the whole experience for me. I would not hesitate to return again.

Check out photos of the conference here on our Flickr site!

long lost posting! an evening with brad prevedoros

Submitted on Mar. 2, 2009 by Barb Northwood, Weekend Hospitality Coordinator

I confess to not knowing Brad Prevedoros prior to his appearance at
Queenswood for our Dinner and Artist Series on February 2nd, but I do now. I also confess to not having listened to a guitar player of his caliber live before, but I have now - and I will be forever changed by the experience. Brad took me on a journey through his music. He played from different genres and from different time periods. He played music other people have written and he played music he himself wrote. In that way he took us, his audience, from the more global recognition of music into the personal stories of his life with pieces he has written for his child and for his wife. In between the different pieces, Brad told stories - the stories of how and why the music came to be. Another aspect of his performance that was so interesting is that he shared how he played his guitar. It isn't as though he has found a way and wants to keep it secret. Rather, he wants to share what he knows so others can know too. He showed different ways his fingers could evoke different sounds. Several times he said, "For those who play guitar..." and proceeded to give lessons.

The man and the music are inspirational in both practical and profound ways. There were times when I felt the music stir something deep inside me - chords that before that night haven't been touched. In the weeks since, I have listened to music on the CBC differently - more intently - especially when I hear the guitar. So, even though I am not one who plays the quitar, I too have learned from him.

Brad played in the Queenswood chapel. The chapel is the most amazing place to listen to music. I wonder how John Discastri knew to make such a room that music would resonate so beautifully in. To know how to is part of the genius of DiCastri - he left as part of his legacy this chapel where the sound of music continues to move and inspire.

Since that evening I have said to friends that I went to see Brad Prevedoros play and they are impressed. They know who is. Now, I do too. And I won't forget hearing him. If you come upon an opportunity - I recommend you do too.