4000 sq. ft. blank canvas
I have been a graphic designer for almost 10 years. I began my career working for an agency in Michigan where I was privileged to work with many interesting and high profile clients. Due to “life circumstances”, I left everything I knew in the mitten and moved to the Chicagoland area. While I was trying to get back on my feet, make connections, and figure out my next move, I began attending Faith Church. As time passed, I started volunteering to do print material for the church. One thing led to another, and I was offered a full time job. Since then I’ve have been working here at Faith Church for six years now and love it. Unfortunately, there are lots of stereotypes that follow the words “church” and “Christian”. Especially when it flows into the art world. I’m not sure why that is, but maybe the topic of stereotypes is for another article.
Why am I telling you all this?
I would like you to take a moment and consider your social responsibility as an artist and a communicator.
Web. Art. Photography. Graphic Design. It’s all visual communication. What are you saying? Is it worth your time? Is it providing for a greater good?
When I worked for prominent clients in Michigan, I never heard anyone say, “Wow, that campaign for Whirlpool really changed my life.” However, working for Faith Church, I have heard many stories of change, growth and transformation due to things I have had a hand in. The ability to use your creativity to make a positive difference in the world you live in, is priceless. I never really understood that until I fell into this weird creative working environment called Faith Church. One of the ways we are making a difference is through this new endeavor we’ve embarked on called the Community Arts Center in Cedar Lake, Indiana.
The CAC serves several purposes, two of which are clearly stated in the name of the space. The purpose of the CAC includes operating as a community center where people from the Cedar Lake area will be invited to use the space for meetings, classes, and a variety of other activities. These include after school programs, tutoring, community meetings, and a base for serving the needs of the community with food drives, clothing, etc.
The second purpose of the space will be distinctly arts-focused. This will include classes for adults and children, ranging from guitar lessons to photography and sculpting classes. We will have a constant display of art in and around the space from local artists. We believe art is a powerful medium of expression, and we want to encourage the folks in Cedar Lake and surrounding areas to get involved, make connections, and use the space.
Faith Church Community Arts Center is located at 13300 Lincoln Plaza, Unit #1, in Cedar Lake, IN. Hours of operation and scheduling are currently being determined. Please call LeAnn at 219.864.0300 for more information.
Author Info: Kevin Bruinsma
The arts can be just a hobby for some, or a way to make a living for others, but many creatives know the power art can have: to change opinions, to create awareness, and to connect with others. I think artistic expression can be a more palatable way to challenge people’s thinking and to influence change in our communities and the world.
Fantastic to see any space dedicated to the arts and self-expression. I applaud this group for recognizing the importance arts can have in improving quality of life and making it part of their mission.
Hey Judith,
Thanks for the encouraging words. I would love the CAC to be a place where artist could connect. Maybe we could hang your “Life is Sweet” series and have a reception! (Huge fan)
Anybody out there have any other suggestions?
Awesome post Kevin! I have had the privilege of watching this space take life and playing a role in the new CAC Cedar Lake space. It’s been a joy to see an organization recognize the arts in a way that I feel is lacking in NWI.
Great job Faith and staff for seeing a need in the community and responding. I can’t wait to continue to watch this space come to life!
Also an FYI for all: all proceeds from the INsight Design Conference went/go toward the CAC, so if you attended the conference…go check out what you helped build!
Rock on!
TZ
Teresa,
HUGE thanks to you and the leadership team of INsight to support this endeavor. The conference brought in enough money to offer roughly seven kids a scholarship for art classes!
Wow!! Place looks amazing. It is good to see a space in NWI of this kind.
I could barely hold back the anticipation of hitting the “publish” button on this article.
Faith has done an amazing job with putting the CAC together, I was there for the opening and it’s truly a facility to cater towards the arts. With the wide open space, lots of walls, kitchen, etc. It’s really a perfect spot to feature art.
Aside from the above, it’s a great place to facilitate meetings, collaborations and more.
I think that it’s pretty unique that Richard wrote his article about a spot just like this and Faith was busy putting it together, so awesome!
There’s a lot of potential for this space, I cannot wait to see what comes out of it. I plan on putting together some art myself here pretty soon and would love to put it on the walls for people to see.
If anyone has any ideas outside the box of what has been said, please speak up!
it’s awesome to be a part of a community that has resources like this, and willingness to explore possibilities, to embrace the arts, and realize that it’s all a gift from God.
I’ve lately been captivated by the work of Banksy. I wonder what he would do in that space…http://www.banksy.co.uk/
COHERE: check out this video and see how it works.
http://vimeo.com/12240656
The idea of a Community Arts Center is such an awesome idea. This is one of the reasons that nwicreative is such a good site, it is so hard to get any information on arts/design related events. I am in the process in creating a creative meetup style event and seeing this post really keeps me motivated. The arts have been long neglected in NWI and it is great to see that there is a place for creative minded people to connect, grow and collaborate.
Rahsaan,
I would love to hear more about your ideas for an event. I think the CAC would be a great place to host it.
Well, I just ‘landed’ on this page by fluke…its wonderful to know that your Church is open to the idea of signing up an artist…Churches all around need to be open to the idea cuz the world outside is hugely employing ‘art’ to influence ppl and are successful to a large extent…and isn’t our God creative??! I mean just look at the colorful flowers, at humans (each is different in his own right),the landscapes..not one resembles the other..n so on…his palette must be realllllllll big and am sure he’s still not used 1% of His creativity…btw, my church (in India) encourages and provides a platform to any and every individual in the church who has an inclination towards art..!!! May God BLESS the endeavors of your Church – that includes you too Kevin!!