two weeks ago a group of people gathered. This group of people are artists who want to help other artists in a variety of ways.
Cole and Luz Bratcher have rented a large house. They have invited other artists (mostly those who are still in art school) to live at their house. They are building a community in which artists can live and be continually encouraged and challenged to create.
Miguel and Whitney Aguirre (along with Brittany Swarthout) have started a women's dance class called 'Surrender Dance'. "Surrender Dance strives to foster community among women in Seattle and support women throughout our city by promoting healthy living and freedom from bondage"(Surrenderdance.org) One of the things they spoke about was challenging our cultures concepts of beauty and encouraging woman to not look to societies ideas of beauty and self-worth.
I joined forces with Jeff Bettger (who is now a Mars Hill Pastor!!) in his vision to open a post-college arts center so that up and coming artists would have a place to continue to work on their craft, learn, create, have a place to showcase their work, and feel welcome. I know tons of musicians and artists who, because of the business of life after college, let their creative abilities and works slip into the realm of mere hobby. Most become miserably complacent and accept the grayness of life. We want to encourage people to continue to express themselves and grow creatively by offering a space, workshops, and shows to foster continual artistic expression.
It was incredibly encouraging to be surrounded by people who are passionate about caring for creatives. We are working with Joel Fariss who has worked with non-profits before and knows all of us. Joel is schooling us on how non-profits are built and function.
Basically we are applying for a group 501c3 and we will all function under the large umbrella non-profit. Our next meeting is this saturday (2/11). We will be discussing who we want to ask to serve on our board of directors as officers, and what we our name should be.
I am really excited about what God is doing through all of our organizations and I would invite you to fervently pray for all of us as we move forward. Everything that we are doing are things that God laid on our hearts, so pray that we would steward that well and that through these secular ventures that we would develop relationships with the people we are serving, and they come to know Christ through how we love and serve them, and not by shoving scripture down their throats.
I'd also like to note that any donations that are made via Paypal from this blog will go towards opening the arts center. so please pray and donate! We also need a name. So far I'm calling it the Fine Arts Center and abbreviating it like this: F. Arts Center. haha we need a better name. and we need money, so if you could help with either or have any questions or encouragement please email me at Samueldavidhatch@gmail.com. Thanks again!
