MINNEAPOLIS: The 10 Annual NE Mpls Juried Spiritual Art Show attracted 55 entries. From the submissions jurors selected works that speak to us about today's tribulations and a belief in a tomorrow were all will be right.   In the works they selected they saw an extraordinary sensitivity to the troubled times we are in. While the times are filled with turmoil and tension the jurors also sensed a confidence in a better tomorrow in the works they selected as winners.

JURORS

The jurors, left to right, were Carsten Slostad whose resume includes Committee Member St. Louis Park Arts & Culture Grant Program (5 years); Organist and Choir Director in the Twin Cities for 40 years. His music carrier includes conductor, Wells Fargo Chorus (35 years); Artistic Director, 7-Gifts, A Women's Sextet (10 years).  Kari A. Nelson teacher of art at Maranatha Christian Academy in Brooklyn Park; and, at North Central Univ. in Minneapolis. She and her family worship at Elim Church where she leads the Elim Art Group. Mary Kaye Medinger, teacher and retreat leader, founding director of Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality, now serves on the Membership and Association Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet St. Paul, MN. Kari A. Nelson teacher of art at Maranatha Christian Academy in Brooklyn Park; and, at North Central Univ. in Minneapolis. She and her family worship at Elim Church where she leads the Elim Art Group.

*Please note, the artists' websites in the descriptive information that follows reflect their body of work; and; that while many artists do spiritual art, it is often only a portion their work.

First Place

With war like images the First Place work "Restoration" by Luke Hillestad has captured our turbulent economic times. Times of job loss, reduced income, the threat of foreclosure. Like a reporter of our times, Hillestad uses images to tell his story. Imagery that many saw as like a war zone, just as a cease fire was declared. Bold, strong, realistic metaphors yet done with a sense of wellness, of "restoration".

Hillestad said: ""Restoration" is a work about life, kinships, and human interaction;" a figurative work that depicts a young woman, with a baby, a contemporary Madonna with child, painted in powerful earthy brown tones with restrained uses of white and yellow. "Restorer" is a 29h x 31w inch oil on canvas. Luke's website is http://lukehillestad.com/ * If you visit the artist's his website, it is noted, that while they do spiritual art, it is often only a portion their work. Hillestad's work also received recognition as Best in Show from artists in the Show and members of the host institution Elim Church when they were asked, by private ballot, for their selection.  Click picture(s) for enlarged view.  To buy "Restoration" click for details.

Second Place

Second Place went to Jean Keefe's, her website*, "Poured Out", a mixed-medium, 29h x 34w work.  Through an abstract work the artist created a visual haiku, done with a pallet that included subdued browns and gold, the asks the viewer to search for the "I AM" of all creation.  To buy "Poured Out" click for details. 

 

Third Place

Third Place was given to Ardell Nelson, her website*, for "Faith, Hope, and Love", an instillation work, of three white banners, 72h x 72 w x 12d, with printed images on them.  It speaks of the power of faith, the belief of hope that gives love.  

 

Honorable Mentions

Next Honorable Mention was given to Sandra Brick, her website*, for "Tallit: Intricacy

II", a contemporary Judaic prayer shawl; 36h x 71w. Hand-dyed Crepe De Chine silk with Shibori design techniques, silk ribbon/yarn.  Each plays many parts all important yet sometimes roles we play conflict.  When we find balance we display splendor.  This tallit displays elegance of multi-layered life.

As well as Rabi Sanfo, his website*, for "Cain and Abel" a "31h x 7w x 9d metal sculpture. 

 

Next was Rachel Limón's, her website*, "SPIRIT MESSENGER OF PEACE & PROMISE"  16h x 12.5w photograph.  The dove symbolizes peace, teaching us that inner peace can be attained by reconnecting with our inner soul and mother earth.  To buy "SPIRIT MESSENGER OF PEACE & PROMISE" click for details.

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were given to Candy Kuehn, her website*,"We are all dancing", an installation piece, 48h x 32w x 20d. We dance in time as glimmers in shiny venues like mischievous recycled dirty wings who arabesque known and forgotten thoughts.  

Barbra Nelson's "WATCHING GOD'S ACTIVE PRESENCE"; charcoal, graphite, watercolor pencils; 22h x 22w.  Looking through your mind's eye, where has God been active in your life from childhood / baptism (top) to your senior years (bottom)?  Find the images for reflection.   To buy a giclee print click for details. 

Todd Peterson's "Sacrifice"; his website*, varnished crayon on wood; 22.5h x 15.5w.  To buy "Sacrifice: click for details.

Sharon Stillman's "Neshama She'li - 'My Breath' a self portrait", her website*, acrylic & oil pastel on canvas; 68h x 29.5w.  The word "neshama" is a Hebrew word meaning "soul" and/or breath.  This self-portrait symbolized the breath/life I gave my unborn baby.  To buy "Neshama She'li - 'My Breath' a self portrait" click for details.

 

The 2010 Spiritual Art Show is an event out to rescue spiritual art from the catalogue companies. Its theme is a look at contemporary spiritual art. The Show’s purpose is to offer artists an opportunity to showcase a work they created and consider spiritual. It is a celebration of the creativity of Minnesota artists. The event is non-sectarian and non-denominational. All works in the Show have been created within the past three years. The Show’s rules are modeled after the Minnesota State Fair’s Fine Art Show. Submitted works are juried on artistic ability and quality.

The 2010 Spiritual Art Show and Festival are guests of the Elim Church of northeast Minneapolis. Elim Church is located at 685 13th Ave NE Mpls, MN 55413. Corner of 13th Av and Madison St NE. It runs from Sunday March 21st to Friday March 26th, 3-7 pm each day, free admission. Full details at http://sites.google.com/site/spargex

The Show and Festival were productions of the Northeast Minneapolis Artist Concierge Service of Minneapolis, MN.

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Questions please contact
Nicholas P Heille, Producer 2010 Spiritual Art Show
3460 Garfield St NE
Mpls MN 55418
(612) 789-6527
nrheille@mcg.net