Trying to Understand, and Counter, the Philosophy of Mainstream Art Schools and Contemporary Art Criticism. Part 3. How Marxist theory has entered the mainstream, and how radical, Christian ‘counter-revolutionary’ beauty is the response that will save the world.
Action Follows Vision: How the Icon Tradition Responds to Modern Iconoclasm and Cultural Narcissism
Three Lessons Pope Benedict XVI Taught Me on Women and the Church
The Philosophy of Contemporary Mainstream Fine Art Education and Art Criticism: Part 1
How's Your Lent Going?
Choosing Candles or Oil Lamps for the Image Corner in Your Domestic Church
The burning flame is a symbol of the Light of the World which becomes also a sign that, when lit, the household is in prayer time. The flickering light renders the icons more beautiful through reflective interplay of light and dark. Also, if you have children, you will know that the presence of fire adds a focus that draws their attention to it, as powerfully as if they were moths.
Does the Church Need Artists Who Are Humble Scribes? Or Original Geniuses?
The Mathematics of Beauty - Teaching Principles for Today, and Work Submitted by a Student
The Art of Matthew Paris as a Model for the Transformation of American Sacred Art
The Burning Bush: Learning to See Again Through Marian Art; by Margarita Mooney Clayton
Join an online interactive discussion with iconographer Jonathan Pageau, Jan 30th.
Scala Foundation Conference In Princeton, NJ, April 2023 Featuring Aidan Hart, Jonathan Pageau, Peter Carter and David Clayton
Salt of the Earth
Emblems of the Wounds in the Body and Heart of Christ Painted Onto a Candle
The Beautiful Culture Speaks of Freedom, Love, and of Christ
What is Culture?
The Christian Mission to Evangelize American Culture
Book Recommendation: Christian Iconography - Selections from The Art of Painting (1649), by Francesco Pacheco
Out-Law, Dis-Order, and In-Justice Captured in Concrete: the Design of the Scottish Parliament Building
Keep the Dates! Scala Foundation Conference, April 21-22, 2023. Princeton, NJ,
Featuring Aidan Hart, Jonathan Pageau and David Clayton
Scala Foundation will host its next conference on April 21-22, 2023 on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary. The Scala Foundation’s mission is to restore meaning and purpose to American culture through beauty, liberal arts education and religion. The name Scala comes from the Latin word for a ladder. With God’s help we can ascend the the ladder of perfection, like the angels in Jacob’s dream.
This conference, entitled Art, the Sacred, and the Common Good: Renewing Culture through Beauty, Education and Worship. brings together Christians from different denominations with a view to us all working together to evangelize American culture as one of beauty that speaks of the Beauty of God. It will feature a dozen total speakers, including the best-selling author Andy Crouch and the internationally renowned artists Jonathan Pageau and Aidan Hart. I am honored to have been asked to moderate a conversation with my friends Jonathan and Aidan on the renewal of sacred art. We are particularly blessed to have Aidan, my former teacher, coming from England especially for the conference.
In the afernoon session, Elizabeth Black, Principal of St Stephen’s K-9 school in Grand Rapids, MI, will talk about how she has implemented The Way of Beauty into her school. I visited her school this past summer and wrote about it, here.
I was at the 2022 conference as both speaker and attendee and it was one of the most hopeful, constructive and inspiring events of this type that I have attended.
Scala Foundation’s Executive Director, Margarita Mooney Clayton writes:
The goal is to show how traditions in beauty, education and worship, although under threat, are indeed being renewed. Attendees at this event will have the opportunity to:
Meet internationally renowned artists and prestigious scholars;
Experience beautiful sacred music, art, and architecture;
Learn why beauty is essential to personal happiness and civic participation;
Be inspired by educators who form virtues through beauty;
Build community with people pursuing the way of beauty.
One attendee last year said:
“The conference was rejuvenating. Inspiring. Encouraging. Enlivening. As an architecture major who went into youth ministry and now doing graduate work in theology, this conference allowed me to connect the dots between art, faith and service.”
The conference begins with a dinner and keynote lecture on Friday night, followed by a full day on Saturday of keynote addresses, panels, and breakout sessions with speakers. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in chorale prayer for liturgy of the hours, to see an exhibit of archives of sacred texts from Princeton Theological Seminary, and see the art of the speakers and other local artists.
Registration will begin in December 2022. Visit the conference website to let them know you are interested and they will send you advance notice of registration!
I encourage all to attend!