"If a democracy rests on any principle at all, it is the realization that we can create the society we want to live in if people in this single morning and this single room, if they put their minds to it. You have enough energy, and you have enough creativity to change America."
- Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts
Keynote speech at "Artist as Reconcilers" conference, February 24, 2006, Cooper Union University, New York City
Click on the below recordings to download for FREE!
(Please be patient during download, as files are large.)
IAM "Artists as Reconcilers" Conference MP3s (click on listings below)
Also download conference recordings via iTunes to your iPOD for FREE! Instructions: Go to the iTunes homepage (Click here to go to iTunes) and search under "music store" for "International Arts Movement." Click here to go to iTunes. Select subscription for "International Arts Movement." Dana Gioia's speech and two other lectures will download on your computer for free. You do not need an iPod to listen to the recordings (you can listen to it on your computer.) If you do not already have iTunes, download iTunes here, install it, then follow instructions above.
If you would like to submit images from the 2006 "Artists as Reconcilers" Conference to post in the galleries, please email them to submissions@iamny.org. Thanks!
IAM believes artists to be articulators of hope and integration in our broken culture. And yet we know today artists are known mostly for their rebellion, alienation, addiction and apathy. We aim to catalyze a movement of artists to be agents of cultural "Shalom." The Hebrew and Christian scriptures speak of Shalom as the wholeness and flourishing of human endeavors - possible through a true reconciliation between humanity, God's universe and Him The IAM conference, "Artist as Reconcilers" is poised to provide a historic opportunity to cast a new vision: Reconciliation of artists to themselves, Reconciliation of artists with the Church, Reconciliation of artists with God With our vision, we desire to present artists as catalysts for creative peacemaking, responsible stewardship of nature, and inspiration for collaboration.
A movement of reconciliation begins with God. Thus IAM desires to honor God's presence via various conference venues including a "Creative Church" worship service. Knowing that there are many participants who may not share our faith, our vision is to serve the pluralistic society with hope and integrity, providing a broad base of discussion for art in general.
For Christians, the conference is a time to reflect on how the church can become a source of inspiration for beauty, truth and goodness in the world. We need to recover the call to draw near to the source of the gift of creativity - to learn from the Great Artist, Jesus, to humbly walk new paths to creativity and collaboration.
Patricia Heaton is 2-time Emmy-winning actress best known for her role as Debra on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Nancy Pearcey is author of Total Truth and scholar at the World Journalism Institute and the Discovery Institute, and editor at large of The Pearcey Report.
Miroslav Volf is a theologian from Croatia and divinity professor at Yale. He has been involved for a decade in international ecumenical dialogues, especially with the Vatican Council for Promotion of Christian Unity.
Franz Mohr is retired chief concert technician for piano maker Steinway and Sons (for more than a quarter century).He is a close colleague with legendary musicians such as Horowitz, Rubinstein, Gould, Serkin, etc.
Albert Pedulla is a sculptor who makes mixed media installations. He is the founder of Angel's Net and sits on the board of Christians In the Visual Arts (CIVA).
Chris Anderson is a painter interested in the historical/cultural dislocations of American home.
Daniel Lee is an architect in private practice, whose work draws on the classical tradition to address contemporary problems and needs.
Gordon Pennington III is a media specialist with Burning Media Group and founder of Dangerous Romantic Poets.
Nigel Goodwin is an actor and founder of Genesis Arts Trust, UK. He will be our "roaming encourager" for the conference, a role he has played for over 30 years in London, Hollywood, New York and Tokyo. He is on the advisory board of IAM.
Art Exhibition Final Jurors
James Elaine is the Hammer Projects curator at UCLA Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, CA. Hammer Projects is the museum's division dedicated to exhibiting the work of young artists.
Josie Browne is the Director of Max Protetch Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. A prominent gallery in NY since 1978, Max Protetch shows contemporary architecture masters, public scuplture, contemporary chinese art, and more.
Performing Artists
Rob Mathes is a nationally renowned music director and a multi-faceted performer. He is the musical director/arranger for the Kennedy Center Honors, and recently produced two records for Vanessa Williams.
Central Baptist band is an ensemble from "the friendliest church in New York" led by Director of Music, Greg Royals.
Vissi Dance Theater is a multi-cultural urban contemporary dance group founded by Courtney Ffrench.
Andy Zipf is a mood rock solo artist, recently nominated for Best New Artist by the Washington Area Music Association.
Susan Enan is a singer/songwriter from England, with a devout fan base in Northern Ireland, the UK, and US
Kelley McRae is a singer/songwriter with a blues, gospel, country-blended style all her own
Workshops ranged from film screenings and director's chats of "Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania" (FourBoys Films) and "39 Pounds of Love" (HBO/Cinemax Documentary Films) to theological discussions with Yale Divinity Professor, Miroslav Volf and David Mahan. Attendees had the opportunity to look at Christian art in pop culture with Betty Spackman and James Romaine, discuss their work at portfolio salons with local working artists, and much more!
Great Hall Gallery, 7 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003
February 23rd-25th, 2006 Artists include: Wayne Adams, Chris Anderson, Sandra Bowden, Manny Caciatory, Anna Mosby Coleman, Brian Fee, Maria Fee, Richard Harden, Rachel Houseman, Greg King, Joyce Lee, Ira Lippke, Beth Mahaffey, Billy Maker, Rob Matthews, Joe McSpadden, Mamoru Okano, Albert Pedulla, Gene Schmidt, Linda Smith, Nathan Smith, TM Sisters, Phyllis Thomas, Adam Tyson, Mike Wood Jurors include: Josie Browne (director, Max Protech Gallery, NYC); James Elaine (curator, UCLA Hammer Museum, LA) Curators include: Wayne Adams, Albert Pedulla & Chris Anderson (visual artists, NYC)
Ways to Help
There are still ways to help after the IAM conference! Some areas of need are listed below:
Conference Donation - donate to our conference fund to help support post-conference resource creation, and next year's upcoming conference! Click here for more information on how you can contribute.
Prayer - help us pray for this post-conference time! Email prayer@iamny.org for a prayer list and information on how you can join our weekly Wednesday afternoon prayer gatherings in NYC. Prayer requests include:
Creative empowerment and inspiration for all conference attendees as they return to their daily lives
Spiritual encouragement for new learnings and friendships (& protection against discouragement of these things)
Growth of the IAM community and movement for cultural renewal
Thanks for your support and generosity towards IAM & our "Artists as Reconcilers" conference.
"Evaporated" by TM Sisters, Mixed Media