The University of St. Thomas, along with more than a dozen organizations, is sponsoring Interfaith Art pARTners, a collaborative festival of Twin Cities institutions promoting the arts as a catalyst for conversation within the context of faith and spirituality.
A variety of museums, places of worship, historical societies, performing art organizations and colleges are offering individual exhibitions and programming as they express their unique stories through various art forms. The goal of the collaboration is to advance an understanding of the diverse communities, cultures, faith traditions and spiritual beliefs in the broader community. The festival runs now through May.
Participating organizations include Basilica of Saint Mary, Eckankar, Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Hennepin History Museum, History Theatre, Minnesota History Center, Minnesota Jewish Arts Council, Saint Paul City Ballet, TigerLion Arts, Voices of Sepharad, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westminster Town Hall Forum, and from the University of St. Thomas the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Art History, Department of Music, Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning, Muslim Christian Dialogue Center and Sacred Arts Festival.
For a full list of events and participating organizations, visit Interfaith Art pARTners.
Events of the Interfaith Art pARTners festival include:
"The Value of One Life" Exhibit, Minnesota History Center, Jan. 15 to April 10
An exhibit featuring portraits of eight people who survived life-altering events and went on to lead inspiring lives. Conceived by Dr. Robert O. Fisch, a pediatrician, artist and Holocaust survivor. Photographed by Petronella Ytsma.
"Adrift on the Mississippi,"E.M. Pearson Theater at Concordia University, Feb. 10 to 27
A Minnesota History Theatre world premiere of the powerful true story of Reverend Robert Hickman, who led a group of slaves out of Missouri, up the Mississippi river on a raft in search of freedom.
Congressman Keith Ellison on "The Generosity of Inclusion: Everybody Counts, Everybody Matters, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Feb. 24 at noon
In this presentation at the Westminster Town Hall Forum, Congressman Keith Ellison proposes that a politics of generosity and inclusion is a practical, realistic, and economically viable approach that is more likely to end wars and achieve peace.
"Places of Worship in Hennepin County," at the Hennepin History Museum, March 1 to May 31
An exhibit examining places of worship through photographs and artifacts
Sacred Arts Festival: Sacred Water, at the University of St. Thomas, March 1 to May 31
Celebrating the sacred nature of water through music performances, visual art exhibitions, poetry and film.
"The Vision Changes – The Eye Remembers," at the University of St. Thomas O’Shaughnessy Educational Center Lobby Gallery, March 1 to May 31
Six photographers document, both in words and photos, how the paths they choose change their lives.
"In Our Image," at the Basilica of St. Mary John XXIII Gallery, March 9 to May 8
Icons and paintings by John Giuliani.
"Looking at Faith," at Westminster Presbyterian Church, March 13 to May 1
Original art based on the text of the Affirmation of Faith from the Iona Abbey Worship Book.
"Art Faith Humanity,"at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, March 14 at 8 p.m.
New music by Boris Pigovat, performed by the St. Thomas Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the St. Paul City Ballet; art and commentary by Dr. Rober O. Fisch.
"American as Curry Pie," at the History Theatre, March 17 to April 10
A History Theatre world premiere of one woman’s story about immigration, assimilation, and discovering what it means to be an American.
"A Night in Persia," at the Illusion Theater, March 20 to 21
A celebration of the Persian New Year and Purim by Voices of Sepharad.
"Art in Islam and Christianity," at the University of St. Thomas 3M Auditorium, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Adil Ozdemir and Dr. Terry Nichols, co-directors of the Muslim-Christian Dialogue Center, will discuss the role of art in Islam and Christianity.
"Stabat Mater,"at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, April 17 at 7 p.m.
A performance of Antonin Dvorak’s powerful setting of the emotional medieval liturgical poem.
"Spiritual Art Gallery: Art as Stories of God’s Love for Soul," at the Minneapolis Hilton Red Wing Room, April 22 to 24
Original art illustrating spiritual experiences and insights of Eckankar members from around the world.
"KIPO!"at the University of Minnesota Rarig Thrust Theater, May 6 to 22
A TigerLion Arts production of spirit, song and dance from the Land of Snow starring local talent Tenzin Ngawang and featuring the world-renowned Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.
Tibetan Music and Dance Workshops, at the University of Minnesota Rarig Thrust Theater, May 14 and 21
Taught by Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, the premier institute in the world, founded by the Dalai Lama, entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and promoting the ancient, high-spirited song and dance of Tibet.
"Uploading the Past: Faith in a New World,"at Temple Israel, May 18 at 7 p.m.
The Rimon Artist Salon Series presents "Uploading the Past: Faith in a New World," featuring composer Tiffany Skidmore and theater artist Dylan Fresco in world premiere performances of work exploring the unexpected interplay of Judaism and other faith traditions. Co-sponsored by the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning.
