Contemplative Art: Healing, Freedom & Joy through the Act of Creating

This event features prophetic artist, Debbie Graviss in conversation with Olivia Tharp. (See Artist Statement Below) • Parking is available in Christ the King lots • 45 seats available. • The Holy Family Room inside the sanctuary will be used for this lecture • Comfortable, yet respectful clothing and shoes are recommended • Event is FREE but registration is requested • Doors open 30 minutes before performance start time • As always donations are welcome to keep the Festival going! My purpose as an artist is to bring the unseen into the seen and to draw attention to the seemingly hidden sparks of beauty surrounding all of us in our day to day walk. I have come to understand that the splendor my soul is drawn to is leading me into that place to hear the still, small, quiet voice of the One who created us out of Love for love. Constantly, I am being beckoned into that most satisfying of all relationships that I was created for, union with my fellow beings and the most Holy Trinity. To quote St Augustine, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You, Lord." Although working for many years as a professional artist, it wasn't until recent years that I discovered my true purpose in creating is to first commune in an intimate way with my Creator. That visceral contact of fingers to paint and canvas that I experienced as a little girl, has never left me. I still encounter one of my greatest delights when I'm painting with my bare hands and heart in a wild dance across the canvas with Holy Spirit in praise and worship of God. The phrase "the glory of God is a human fully alive" attributed to St. Irenaeus, rings very true of my experience when I'm painting. Through the act of creating I live in joy, peace and contentment. It is my hope that one is also moved in this way when viewing my art or experiencing one of the art retreats in our studio sanctuary on Nature's Rest Farm. Visit www.GravissStudios.com