Illuminate Conference
Wednesday, April 3, 7-8:30 pm
This pre-conference presentation by Karen Swallow Prior, not a formal part of Illuminate, is free and open to the public.
Evangelicals have been defined throughout their 300-year-old movement by an emphasis
on the conversion experience. This emphasis emerged from a number of historical and
theological developments that continue to this day. Understanding this history can
help us better understand the national religious and cultural landscape of the present.
Registration requested
Registration requested
thursday, april 4, 8-9 am
Doors open for Illuminate! Please stop by the Welcome Desk to sign in and get your lanyard.
You don't need to show proof of registration (email, etc) to the workers at the
Welcome Desk. They'll simply check your name off our list or add your name if you're
a Southern Adventist University student.
thursday, april 4, 9-10:30 am
Each topic is a standalone session held in its own room. Select sessions* repeated on Friday, April 5, from 4-5:30 pm.
This discussion addresses the value of having artists placed in the most vulnerable
areas of our community to work with a variety of underserved populations. What best
practices have been identified for using the visual arts as a tool for engaging and
equipping a broken world?
Presenters: Charlie Newton, MFA (Splash Youth Arts); Olga de Klein (Heroes); and Chyela Rowe, PhD (CHI Memorial)
Presenters: Charlie Newton, MFA (Splash Youth Arts); Olga de Klein (Heroes); and Chyela Rowe, PhD (CHI Memorial)
"Every Moment Holy" (volumes I-III) are collections of liturgies for the ordinary
events of daily life written by Douglas McKelvey and illustrated/designed by Ned Bustard.
In this session, Bustard will read excerpts from many of the liturgies and weave in
explanations for the symbolism found in a number of the blockprint illustrations.
Presenter: Ned Bustard (artist)
Presenter: Ned Bustard (artist)
The Victorian poem by Francis Thompson has carried considerable influence since
its initial publishing; Tolkien even presented a paper on it during a 1914 conference.
What is it about this long, challenging poem that endures and inspires?
Presenters: Propaganda (artist, and lead actor in the film); Zach Gray, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor); Jud Lake, ThD (Southern Adventist University professor); and Emily McArthur, PhD (Southern Adventist University professor)
Presenters: Propaganda (artist, and lead actor in the film); Zach Gray, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor); Jud Lake, ThD (Southern Adventist University professor); and Emily McArthur, PhD (Southern Adventist University professor)
The parallels between being a disciple of Christ and a student of jazz music are
numerous, and not incidental. We will explore: the perspectives of the archived tradition,
how it informs and instructs; the student disciple, how understanding and mastery
are acquired; and the informed performance, reflecting individual and corporate statements
of testimony and praise.
Presenter: Alan Wyatt, MM (Lee University professor)
Presenter: Alan Wyatt, MM (Lee University professor)
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, writing what they liked and working together, used
myth and fairy tales to call their readers back to Reality.
Presenter: David Beckmann, MDiv (C.S. Lewis Society of Chattanooga)
Presenter: David Beckmann, MDiv (C.S. Lewis Society of Chattanooga)
A panel discussion on how parents and educators can incorporate the arts—paintings,
music, nature notebooking, poetry, and handicrafts—into daily lessons, whether in
the home, school, or homeschool.
Presenters: Sheila Atchley (artist); Joyce McPherson, PhD (Covenant College professor, author); Cindy Rollins (author); and Jeannette Tulis (veteran educator)
Session Resources
Presenters: Sheila Atchley (artist); Joyce McPherson, PhD (Covenant College professor, author); Cindy Rollins (author); and Jeannette Tulis (veteran educator)
Session Resources
thursday, april 4, 11 am - 12 pm
Reading well is a kind of practice for living well—not only through the lessons
that books teach, but also through the virtues required to attentively and systematically
engage with a story.
Presenter: Karen Swallow Prior, PhD (author)
Presenter: Karen Swallow Prior, PhD (author)
thursday, april 4, 2-3:30 pm
Each topic is a standalone session held in its own room. Select sessions* repeated on Friday, April 5, from 4-5:30 pm.
This classic recording is arguably one of jazz music’s preeminent “concept” albums,
in which Coltrane focused his artistic themes in response to his spiritual awakening
following a near-fatal drug overdose. The sustained tone of solemnity and intensity
throughout each recorded performance is unmistakable, inviting its audience to respond
with reverence and awe.
Presenter: Alan Wyatt, MM (Lee University professor)
Presenter: Alan Wyatt, MM (Lee University professor)
In her theology of fiction, O'Connor is convinced that Christian readers are looking
for redemption. But she also argues that we don't know how to recognize it when we
find it. Is there any hope for us?
Presenter: Jordan Rowan Fannin, PhD (Berry College professor)
Presenter: Jordan Rowan Fannin, PhD (Berry College professor)
Three words that shape the imagination, remind us of the story God is telling,
and keep us faithful to it.
Presenter: Andrew Peterson (author and musician)
Presenter: Andrew Peterson (author and musician)
Oliver once wrote, “Maybe the desire to make something beautiful / is the piece
of God that is inside each of us.” Through sustained observation and reflection on
the natural world, her work often takes readers deep into the mysterious beauties
of spiritual life.
Presenter: Daniel Gleason, PhD (Bryan College professor)
Presenter: Daniel Gleason, PhD (Bryan College professor)
How do we look at art we don't like? This talk argues that the friction we might
experience when encountering contemporary art can actually be an invitation to contemplation
and empathy.
Presenter: Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt, PhD (Covenant College professor)
Presenter: Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt, PhD (Covenant College professor)
Creators often idealize rare moments of feverish inspiration, and lament the far
more common, daily experiences of grinding struggle and disappointment. But what if
we’ve been looking at this thing all wrong? What if the roadblocks and “dark nights
of the soul” we experience are a vital part of the process of creating expressions
of beauty and truth? What if those “forces arrayed against us” offer confirmation
that we are indeed about the business of building the kingdom of God?
Presenter: Douglas McKelvey (author and lyricist)
Presenter: Douglas McKelvey (author and lyricist)
thursday, april 4, 4-5:30 pm
Each topic is a standalone session held in its own room. Select sessions* repeated on Friday, April 5, from 4-5:30 pm.
Create a poem without writing any words. No joke! This form of “found” poetry
encourages participants to take an existing printed document–a page from a novel,
a song from a hymnal, an article from the newspaper–and birth something new into existence.
How? By blacking out selected words and phrases until the remaining verbiage forms
a new thought with its own emotional and intellectual reward.
Facilitator: Clarise Nixon, MA (Southern Adventist University professor)
Facilitator: Clarise Nixon, MA (Southern Adventist University professor)
Looking and seeing are not at all the same things. Using his “Subjects with Objects”
collaborative project as a case study, author and lyricist Doug McKelvey will explore
the process of discerning meanings already inherent in a work, rather than simply
imposing one’s own will on a piece. Participants will attempt a “seeing” exercise
together, crafting expressions to go along with various paintings.
Presenter: Douglas McKelvey (author and lyricist)
Presenter: Douglas McKelvey (author and lyricist)
Crafting an intriguing story is a challenging enough task on its own, but birthing
narratives with deeply spiritual messages? Stories created in the method and genre
of heroes like C.S. Lewis? That’s a whole other level of responsibility (and anxiety).
This session invites insight from the author and an animator of “Wingfeather Saga,”
a popular book series and show streaming on the Angel Studios platform.
Presenters: Andrew Peterson (author); Beau Sherman (animator); and Jesse Rademacher, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor)
Presenters: Andrew Peterson (author); Beau Sherman (animator); and Jesse Rademacher, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor)
To love our neighbors as ourselves, we must effectively imagine the lives of others.
This requires thinking truthfully and compassionately about media because creative
works can be used both for dehumanization and rehumanization. We will examine literature,
film, television, and music that provide us with opportunities to expand our empathetic
imagination.
Presenter: Mary McCampbell, PhD (author)
Presenter: Mary McCampbell, PhD (author)
Experience what it is like to pull a print! Linocut blocks from "Every Moment
Holy" and other projects are available for attendees to ink up and apply to paper.
All materials supplied; each person will be guided through the process individually.
Several blank blocks will be on hand for those who want to both carve and print (takes
two sessions). No experience necessary. Limited spots available; sign up on site at
the conference.
Presenter: Ned Bustard (artist)
Presenter: Ned Bustard (artist)
Explore principles and practices for crafting effective congregational songs.
Participants will learn through experimentation and collaboration as we write a worship
song together over the course of two 90-minute sessions (one session per day). Sessions
are open to aspiring lyricists and musicians, so bring an acoustic instrument if you
want – or just come and actively observe the creative process.
Presenter: Nick Zork, PhD (NYC Church of Advent Hope minister for music and the arts)
Presenter: Nick Zork, PhD (NYC Church of Advent Hope minister for music and the arts)
thursday, april 4, 6 pm
This event is not a formal part of Illuminate, but conference guests are invited to attend.
This BFA student showcase, titled "Insignificance," features drawings and paintings
by Southern Adventist University senior Sydney Bischoff. Light refreshments served.
The John C. Williams Gallery is located on the second floor of Brock Hall.
The John C. Williams Gallery is located on the second floor of Brock Hall.
thursday, april 4, 7:30-9 pm
Propaganda is the Thursday night performer at Illuminate. Conference participants
will be joined by university students and community guests for this special spoken-word
performance in Lynn Wood Hall Auditorium (on the second floor of Lynn Wood Hall).
Friday, April 5, 8-9 am
Doors open for Illuminate, Day 2!
New attendees, please stop by the Welcome Desk to sign in and get your lanyard.
You don't need to show proof of registration (email, etc) to the workers at the Welcome
Desk. They'll simply check your name off our list or add your name if you're a Southern
Adventist University student.
friday, april 5, 9-10:30 am
Each topic is a standalone session held in its own room.
To be a fiction writer—or a builder of worlds in some other creative genre—is
to weave what is on one level an illusion. But there are untrue fictions, and there
are true fictions. To conjure believable fictional worlds, we must take the craft
seriously, sewing up the seams of our stories. If we are to love our audience well,
we must also wrestle with the moral underpinnings of what we make.
Presenters: Douglas McKelvey (author and lyricist); Rebecca Reynolds (author and publisher)
Presenters: Douglas McKelvey (author and lyricist); Rebecca Reynolds (author and publisher)
Through Berry’s fiction, poetry, and essays, we see a vision of how the transcendent
beauty of creation is known in particularity. For this venerable Kentucky writer,
human flourishing is a loving stewardship of people and place, appreciating the spiritual
fruit of our embodied existence.
Presenter: Thomas Pope, PhD (Lee University professor)
Presenter: Thomas Pope, PhD (Lee University professor)
As devout Catholics, early Reformers would have engaged in pilgrimages and familiarized
themselves with important works, making them art savvy. When they were introduced
to Luther’s theology, they were clever in how they created or “quoted” older works
of art to propagate their message. This session offers a comparative study between
art meant for pilgrims and reformation art.
Presenter: Giselle Hasel, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor)
Presenter: Giselle Hasel, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor)
Music sung together is a miraculous medium that is equal parts mystery and medicine.
Presenters: Gennevieve Brown-Kibble, DMA (Southern Adventist University professor); Sarah Tullock, MM (Hamilton County Schools teacher, Carolina Kodály Institute & Kodály Institute at UTC)
Presenters: Gennevieve Brown-Kibble, DMA (Southern Adventist University professor); Sarah Tullock, MM (Hamilton County Schools teacher, Carolina Kodály Institute & Kodály Institute at UTC)
Explore principles and practices for crafting effective congregational songs.
Participants will learn through experimentation and collaboration as we write a worship
song together over the course of two 90-minute sessions (one session per day). Sessions
are open to aspiring lyricists and musicians, so bring an acoustic instrument if you
want – or just come and actively observe the creative process.
Presenter: Nick Zork, PhD (NYC Church of Advent Hope minister for worship and arts)
Presenter: Nick Zork, PhD (NYC Church of Advent Hope minister for worship and arts)
For over a decade, the Square Halo Gallery in Lancaster, PA, has been a space
for contemporary art inspired by the Christian faith. In this session, the curator
of the gallery will show examples of the work of several artists who have been exhibited
as well as talk about the highs and lows of running a gallery for art that doesn't
fit in the Church or in the Art World.
Presenter: Ned Bustard (artist)
Presenter: Ned Bustard (artist)
Friday, april 5, 11 am - 12 pm
The difficulty and joy of walking the way of Jesus.
Presenter: Andrew Peterson (author and musician)
Presenter: Andrew Peterson (author and musician)
friday, april 5, 2-3:30 pm
Each topic is a standalone session held in its own room.
An expat dentist, a refugee chef, and an alienated coal merchant confront readers
with the ache of human homesickness—and suggest an unexpected path toward resolution.
Presenter: Emily McArthur, PhD (Southern Adventist University professor)
Presenter: Emily McArthur, PhD (Southern Adventist University professor)
What’s the creative approach for taking an existing song and modifying it? Does
the listener’s familiarity with a song make this task -- crafting a new arrangement
with its own merit -- more difficult than starting a song from scratch? How do you
decide which songs are good candidates for fresh arrangements and which theories/tools
aid in the musical process of addition and subtraction?
Presenters: Peter Cooper, DMA (Southern Adventist University professor); Matthew Kimbley (Southern Adventist University student composer)
Presenters: Peter Cooper, DMA (Southern Adventist University professor); Matthew Kimbley (Southern Adventist University student composer)
In this interactive session, “Every Moment Holy” author Douglas McKelvey will
lead participants through a series of exercises aimed at crafting a liturgical prayer—one
that might serve to refocus the petitioner on the faithful stewarding of their own
unique gifts. Bring a notebook and pen, or other means of writing, to the session.
Presenter: Douglas McKelvey (author)
Presenter: Douglas McKelvey (author)
Southern Gothic art–from Flannery O’Connor and Alice Walker to Howard Finster
and REM–prophetically critiques the social structures and cultural Christianity frequently
encountered in the Bible Belt. How does this art’s commentary, often in the form of
lament, teach us to view our surroundings with more discerning eyes.
Presenter: Mary McCampbell, PhD (author)
Presenter: Mary McCampbell, PhD (author)
Presenters explore this treatment modality, focusing on its use within a framework
of trauma-informed care for youth. The workshop will be heavily experiential ... drums
provided!
Presenters: Tatiana Rolles (Youth Villages); Tron Wilder, PhD (Southern Adventist University professor)
Presenters: Tatiana Rolles (Youth Villages); Tron Wilder, PhD (Southern Adventist University professor)
In this visually driven talk, we explore eternal themes embedded in secular films.
Unraveling the universal story of our original connection with God, separation, and
eventual reconciliation, this presentation examines scenes to show how filmmakers
unintentionally weave this divine thread into the narrative fabric of the most impactful
movies.
Presenter: Zach Gray, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor)
Presenter: Zach Gray, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor)
friday, april 5, 4-5:30 pm
Each topic is a standalone session held in its own room. Select sessions* are repeats from Thursday, April 4.
Southern Adventist University's Lynn H. Wood Archaeological Museum displays more
than 200 objects from Egypt, Babylonia, Persia, Syria-Palestine, Greece, Cyprus, and
Anatolia. Illustrated through hundreds of photographs, drawings, and pieces of original
art, the permanent collection is designed to introduce artifacts in their ancient
life setting. Highlights include an ancient Babylonian brick stamped with Nebuchadnezzar's
name, a complete series of lamps from the Chalcolithic to the early Arabic periods,
handwritten cuneiform tablets from the ancient Ur, and a series of Syrian toggle pins
from the Middle Bronze Age.
A van will be available to quickly transport guests across campus from the conference to the museum and back.
Tour Facilitators: Afton Logan and Karis McConnell (museum docents and archaeology majors at Southern Adventist University)
A van will be available to quickly transport guests across campus from the conference to the museum and back.
Tour Facilitators: Afton Logan and Karis McConnell (museum docents and archaeology majors at Southern Adventist University)
Have an original poem or other creative writing excerpt that you’re willing to
read? If you’re shy about presenting your own work, but enjoy sharing your favorite
authors with others, read a selection that inspires you. Want to simply come and listen?
That’s great, too! Limited presentation slots available; sign up on site at the conference.
Facilitator; LaEsha Sanders, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor)
Facilitator; LaEsha Sanders, MFA (Southern Adventist University professor)
Oliver once wrote, “Maybe the desire to make something beautiful / is the piece
of God that is inside each of us.” Through sustained observation and reflection on
the natural world, her work often takes readers deep into the mysterious beauties
of spiritual life.
Presenter: Daniel Gleason, PhD (Bryan College professor)
Presenter: Daniel Gleason, PhD (Bryan College professor)
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, writing what they liked and working together, used
myth and fairy tales to call their readers back to Reality.
Presenter: David Beckmann, MDiv (C.S. Lewis Society of Chattanooga)
Presenter: David Beckmann, MDiv (C.S. Lewis Society of Chattanooga)
Experience what it is like to pull a print! Linocut blocks from "Every Moment
Holy" and other projects are available for attendees to ink up and apply to paper.
All materials supplied; each person will be guided through the process individually.
Several blank blocks will be on hand for those who want to both carve and print (takes
two sessions). No experience necessary. Limited spots available; sign up on site at
the conference.
Presenter: Ned Bustard (artist)
Presenter: Ned Bustard (artist)
How do we look at art we don't like? This talk argues that the friction we might
experience when encountering contemporary art can actually be an invitation to contemplation
and empathy.
Presenter: Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt, PhD (Covenant College professor, author)
Presenter: Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt, PhD (Covenant College professor, author)
friday, april 5, 6-7 pm
For Illuminate guests who have a conference lanyard.
This special meal takes place at the Collegedale Community Church, approximately 5 minutes from campus, in its fellowship hall (left side of church,
look for signs).
friday, april 5, 7:30-9 pm
Songwriter and recording artist Andrew Peterson is the Friday night performer
at Illuminate. This special concert takes place at the Collegedale Community Church, approximately 5 minutes from campus.
Admission to the concert is included as part of the registration fee for those who purchased Illuminate tickets. For any others wishing to attend, a limited number of individual concert tickets are also available.
Admission to the concert is included as part of the registration fee for those who purchased Illuminate tickets. For any others wishing to attend, a limited number of individual concert tickets are also available.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE overview
Below is an activity summary for the upcoming Illuminate art and faith conference.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
7 pm / Free Pre-Conference Presentation by Karen Swallow Prior
THURSDAY, APRIL 4
8-9 am / Check-In
9-10:30 am / Session #1
11 am - 12 pm / Plenary
12-2 pm / Lunch (provided for those who bought conference tickets)
2-3:30 pm / Session #2
4-5:30 pm / Session #3
5:30-7:30 pm / Dinner (on your own)
6 pm / Student Art Exhibit Opening
7:30-9 pm / Spoken Word Performance
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
9-10:30 am / Session #1
11 am - 12 pm / Plenary
12-2 pm / Lunch (on your own)
2-3:30 pm / Session #2
4-5:30 pm / Session #3
5:30-7:30 pm / Dinner (provided for those who bought conference tickets)
7:30-9 pm / Closing Concert
Thursday Night Performance
Spoken-word artist Propaganda is the Thursday night performer at Illuminate. The event takes place in Lynn Wood Hall Auditorium (second floor of Lynn Wood Hall) where conference participants will be joined by university students and community guests.
Friday Night Performance
Songwriter and recording artist Andrew Peterson is the Friday night performer at Illuminate. His concert takes place at Collegedale Community Church, approximately five minutes from campus (9305 Four Corners Place, Collegedale, TN).
