Past Events — Renew Arts+Theology

The R.A.T. (Renew Arts+Theology) pack has been working hard since 2018. Take a stroll down history lane with us!

Advent with Renew Arts+Theology

Dec. 6th, 2023

We can never predict just how many people will show up to our events. This year, we started the Advent season with an informal gathering at Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church. Expecting maybe four or five local artists to show up, we ended up having at least double the number we anticipated. Glory to God! It was a sweet time to connect, share artistic endeavours God placed on our hearts, pray together, and explore the wonder of Advent with a brief Visio Divina. And yes, we did have festive snacks and desserts! Those calories don’t count during the holiday season.

You guessed it right, that is the one and only, the Singing Nurse, Amy-Lynn!

WHY WE CREATE 2023

July 8, 2023

On July 8th, we hosted a conference style event in the beautiful historic building of St. Peter & St Paul’s Anglican Church in downtown Ottawa. Musicians, painters, performing artists, and writers got together to share what’s at the core of our creative processes.

We offered a variety of practical workshops covering topics like vocal exercises, writing and revision, even floral design. Hint hint, let us know if you’d like to become a workshop leader for our future events!

HOW TO CREATE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY: A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH THE CREATOR’S COLLECTIVE

Nov. 14th, 2022

Adam and Karlene were invited to be a part of Love is Moving Magazine’s zoom event to discuss “How to Create An Artistic Community” on November 14th. There were about 35 participant screens from across Canada and the U.S. We shared God’s vision for Renew and practical ways we have begun this process. We hope to collaborate with EFC (Evangelical Fellowship of Canada), Love is Moving, The Creators’ Collective and Fuse in the future as we continue to connect and inspire Christian artists.

Check out the recording HERE if you missed the event!

WINE & CHEESE EVENT: RENEW FALL LAUNCH

July 23, 2022

On July 23, we had our first in-person gathering since COVID. Not entirely sure how many would come as our numbers kept changing, we ended up hosting 25 people from different artistic backgrounds, each with a unique story. This was a great start with the new leadership team: Adam, Anouchka, Doug, and Karlene! And just in case you are wondering, the wine and cheese were EXCELLENT!

“I Paint Theology”: Creative Engagement with God, Featuring Patty Bowman Kingsley

May 14, 2021

“I paint theology,” Patty once told us. Patty sees herself as a creative servant who shares irrepressible joy through creative artmaking. She believes that art has the power to intuitively connect individuals to hope, amidst hopeless circumstances. To put pain in its place, for 5 minutes or 5 hours. She believes she is called to take shame off of people, to connect them to their God-given destiny, to be seen as God sees them, in all their beauty.

You can follow Patty on Facebook, Instagram, and her website.

TELLING THE TRUTH: THE SPIRITUALITY OF WRITING, WITH KAREN STILLER

March 11, 2021

What does it mean to tell the truth through your writing? How does the written truth hurt, heal, and transform? Whether you’re a seasoned, aspiring, or non-writer, we want to warmly introduce you to author Karen Stiller as she encourages us to tell the truth in and about our work.

Check out Karen’s blog post, Reading while writing, which she wrote following this event. You can also follow Karen on Facebook and Instagram.

BEAUTY DURING COVID-19, WITH ALANZO PAUL

November 19, 2020

It’s a unique time for artists. Our society has rushed to beautiful things as an antidote to chaos. We are appreciated—even needed—as makers of music, art, dance, poetry, and more. But we have also felt the loss of artistic experiences, jobs, and opportunities. How do we understand beauty during COVID-19? What hope does a Christian apologetic of beauty offer us and our world?

RENEW CONFERENCE 2019: SONGS & SOUNDS

May 24-25, 2019

We live by songs and sounds. For better or for worse, music shapes our imaginations and our cultures. How does the Gospel renew this part of the human experience? RENEW 2019: Songs & Sounds explored questions of worldview, worship, and witness as they relate to music.

This is where it all started - the first conference that officially marked the birth of Renew Arts+Theology!

Guest speakers include: