Skyview Creative is eager and excited to build up the Church through supporting artists and creativity. We launched the Meraki Project, a type of artist-in-residence program, in November 2020. Through this ongoing project, we hope to equip the artists in our community with the space, time, and resources they need to practice their art and to include more artistic expression in our worship services.
Currently accepting applications for Fall and Advent 2021. For more information, or to join the Meraki Project, submit the following form:
View the full Meraki Project Gallery:
Past Artists-In-Residence:
This Meraki Project has been such a great experience in what seemed to be a short amount of time. It helped push me to get back into art and let out my creative side again. Throughout the process a lot of hindrances occurred where I did not feel like I could do it, but through everyone’s prayers and the strength of God, I was able to complete the first big piece I had done in a few years! Many hours put into small details that may have seemed never-ending at the time, but it was so worth it as it was all for God!
Meet the Artist: Abby Austin
“I’ll be honest and say trying to start this piece was not easy, it took a little bit of time to find the courage and motivation to start because of the fear of messing up. I came to realize that yes I may mess up and it may not turn out how I hope it will, but more importantly it is about glorifying God through a gift He has created me with.”
“I am very thrilled about what the piece will look like when it is finally finished, and I’m also sad that it is coming to an end. It seems like these last few weeks flew by.
My hope that once this is finished, that it displays and reminds us of the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. That it reminds us that no matter what we’ve done, Jesus loves us so so much that he was willing to die to save us from all the sinful things we have done, all of our mistakes. What an amazing love! ”
See the work in progress:
Epiphany
By Lauren Williams
“We have to be willing and vulnerable to allow God to reach in and change the way we see things.”
Lauren Williams has a gift and a passion for art. She uses her art as a way to explore and interpret the Bible and her own spiritual journey. When considering the season of Epiphany, Lauren was inspired with the image of the blind man receiving his sight from Luke 18. Epiphany is about revelation: when you have seen the Lord, you are forever changed. Lauren hopes this pieces inspires the Church to wipe away the covering of our eyes so that we may “see something new and fantastic”. We are so thankful for Lauren and her eagerness to share her art through the Meraki Project. We hope you are blessed by her imagery and interpretation in this season.
Meet Our Artist:
Lisa Loera, “Hands in Expression”
Advent 2020
Lisa Loera has accepted the invitation to join the Meraki Project! She is busy working on a set of drawings to be displayed during the Advent season. She is exploring what the themes of Advent -- hope, peace, joy, and love -- look like in a world waiting for the Saviour. Drawings will be accompanied by Scripture and a personal reflection. Lisa notes that "sitting in stillness and asking God and praying about something or a thought or maybe even images He leads you to seeing online" can guide her artwork. We are so excited to support Lisa in this new project and to see what God shows us through her art. Lisa would appreciate prayer that her completed pieces allow God to speak to our community on the themes He is showing her.
Looking forward to Advent
Lisa shared about her project during the November 22nd service.
Creating with the Meraki Project has been inspiring and challenging for Lisa in both her art and her faith. She is learning how to sit with God and listen for guidance as she discerns what to create. Lisa hesitated at first to join the Meraki Project as she didn’t feel that she was a good enough artist. But she has appreciated the opportunity to learn from more experienced artists as she develops her own skills. She looks forward to sharing her artwork over the upcoming weeks of Advent and hopes that we find hope, trust, and transformation through her pieces.
You can watch the full interview as part of our November 22nd service.