WHY A SPIRITUAL ART SHOW? Notes by N P Heille Jan 2011 The 11th Annual Northeast Minneapolis Spiritual Art Show is honored to be guests of northeast Minneapolis Pope John Paul II School.  Why northeast? Over 900 artists work in northeast Minneapolis. We have a local Arts District that is 14 square miles in size; and, a Northeast Minneapolis Artists Association (NEMAA) that has over 700 members. NEMAA, in the spring, has an annual event that draws over 12,000 people called Art-A-Whirl. Some folks have called it “an art crawl on steroids”; others, “the world’s largest art crawl.” Why Spiritual Art? The Show's producers Nicholas and Rosemary Heille, said: “As involved art supporters in northeast Minneapolis we have seen many spiritual works in various studios amongst the works done by local artists. We were impressed with the work that often was not the main thrust of the body of work an artist and wondered what would happen if we promoted a call for spiritual works to be shown in a religious institution.” As a result of their efforts, you too can now see, and experience what they have seen. The Spiritual Art Show is out "... to rescue religious and spiritual art from catalogue companies.” is the way Johan van Parys Director Liturgy, Basilica of St. Mary, describes their event.   Examples of spiritual art done in northeast Minneapolis includes the "sanctuary crucifix" of St Joseph’s Church in New Hope, MN, done by northeast artist Nick Legeros. The statue "Annunciation", in front of the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis, was done by Foster Willey, Jr., an artist that both works and lives northeast. Both artists have studios in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. The Juried Spiritual Art Show, started 11 years ago in northeast Minneapolis, has grown to where over 9,000 visitors attend its six-day event over the past 10 years. Each year visitors have seen over 50 unique works of art. This year's Show goes from Sunday, April 10th through Friday, April 15th at Pope John Paul II School's Kolbe Center. The event is free and open to the general public from 3 pm to 7 pm each day. The rules of the Spiritual Art Show are modeled after the Minnesota State Fair’s Fine Art Show. The Show is open to all artists that live in Minnesota. All the art work must be done within the past three years. There is a total of $500 in cash prizes that are awarded to best works in Show. Jurying is based upon artistic ability; and, is juried to promote and recognize quality. The Show is nonsectarian, nondenominational. All the art is for sale unless noted otherwise. Jurors have included the Curator of American Art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art; President of United Theological Seminary; and Director of Art at Basilica of St Mary. The Show’s producers are impressed with how jurors often select contemporary works for awards, what some would call “cutting-edge”, over equally well-executed works in a style often of another period. "Contemporary American spiritual art is honest, simple, and thoughtful. It is created with a clear-eyed sense of reverence. Honest without airs or pretense. It is the strength of the gift of simplicity that makes us free." is the way the Show producer Nicholas Heille describes entrees in the Show. Entry fees are charged to cover costs of the Show’s $500 prizes and honorariums for the jurors. The Show has been the guest of a different hosting religious institution each year. Seldom money is left over after awards and honorariums, if there is an excess it is given to the hosting institution. It has been the producers experience that jurors often gift the hosting intuition with their honorarium as well. While Wilson Yates President emeritus United Theological Seminary, New Brighton MN, has described the Show as “extraordinary”, Nicholas and Rosemary went on to say: “Over the Show's ten years we have realized we are but mendicant pilgrims. Each year we go as pilgrims from one religious institution to another, and as mendicants, we rely on their hospitality to welcome us and host the artists’ Show.” The Annual Juried Spiritual Art Show is produced by the Northeast Minneapolis Artist Concierge Service. It is a one of a kind event. “Artists are a dime a dozen. Art event organizers are very special. The Spiritual Art Show is a rare commodity.” is the way local artist Douglas “Dougie” Padilla put it. # # # # Contact information Producers Juried Religious Art Show Nicholas P and Rosemary J Heille NE Mpls Artists Concierge Service 3460 Garfield St NE Mpls, MN 55418 (612) 789-6527 nrheille-at-mcg.net |