This is a blog journaling my (Scott Erickson) journey with Ecclesia Church (Houston, TX) as I am there on staff Artist in Residence. As far as I know, there really aren’t any jobs like this in the USA…. but I’m hoping there are more to come. I’m hoping in 10 years there will be much more artists who are working with church communities to create a “Visual Culture.”
Visual Culture – what does that mean?
ECCLESIA CHURCH
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE | SCOTT ERICKSON
JOB DESCRIPTION
CREATE | INDIVIDUAL
The invitation to come and be a part of Ecclesia was to come and do what you do. First and foremost, what I do is create. My role in a community/body of Christ is that of a storyteller and creator. I will work diligently to be obedient to my calling in the work that I do with the Ecclesia community, and as well as I what I know I am supposed to do as an artist.
VISUAL CULTURE | CHURCH
Creating comes out of story and experience. In this job, the stories and experiences I encounter will be in the context of the Ecclesia community. I hope to lead in the visual interpretations of the journey this community experiences with Christ through:
-visual worship during our communal gatherings
-furthering visual storytelling and remembrance
-corporate art
-public art
-design assistance
GIVE VALUE | COMMUNITY
As a body, we make up different parts and have different giftings. Often in our culture, those who have been given the gift in the creative arts feel as though their abilities are of lesser value compared with others. This is just not true. Part of my work will be to:
-encourage the artists in the Ecclesia community
-pursue missional partnerships involving the arts
-build relationships with local artists.
Hey Scott I am a local artist in Chattanooga, TN and a fellow Christian. I am interested in what you all do. Would you be willing to correspond by email for me to ask you some questions?
wow. an a.i.r at a church. just wow. i’m an illustrator, and figure my work is as much a ministry as a sermon or whatnot… but it’s not really recognised as such. Really appreciate your writings on this. your work is inspirational. thank you!
I love your blog/page/info.. really encouraging. I am in Melbourne Australia, just planting a new missional community church, Kaleidoscope… with lots of painting both within the church and outside in the community. I am currently working on a doctoral thesis about art as mission and am inspired by what you are doing. I would love to come and visit when I’m in America next year.
Scott, I love your work. it is electric and communicative of God’s truth and glory. what a good gig you have at the church there in houston. a friend of mine told me about your work on my blogpost @ http://apeachaplumapear.blogspot.com/2010/12/why-church-needs-artists.html#comments where i was discussing art within the church. looks like you are living it! thanks for your contribution! can’t wait to stay tuned on your work.
I love your blog/page/info.. really encouraging. I am in Melbourne Australia, just planting a new missional community church, Kaleidoscope… with lots of painting both within the church and outside in the community. I am currently working on a doctoral thesis about art as mission and am inspired by what you are doing. I would love to come and visit when I’m in America next year.
+1
Scott,
Chris Seay is a friend and I used to attend Ecclesia. But I heard you were from Maple Park which is where I grew up around and now live in Katy. I think what you are doing is awesome. Say hi to Chris for me.
David Jones
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