We were honored to open the Portiuncula Guild up as part of the Bedford Council of Garden Clubs Home Tour in December 2015. Here are some pics and excerpts from a handout we prepared:
Through the work of the Portiuncula Guild, Mitchell Bond and Patrick Ellis seek to build relationships and conversations between artists working at the intersection of faith, spirituality and creative expression, as well to promote their work and vision to a wideraudience. Four times each year the home owners host an open house gathering centered on a community art exhibition. The core themes for these art exhibitions are derived from the narratives of the yearly feasts and commemorations of the Christian liturgical year. Specific themes within these narratives are chosen to reflect universal experiences which peoples of all faiths (or of no faith) share.
The works of art in the current exhibition in the gallery are taken directly from the collection of the home owners and were arranged to reflect the theme of “Mystery of the Incarnation”. The Advent and Christmas seasons hold a special place in the heart of Franciscan life in that tradition suggests that St. Francis and his early band of followers created the first Christmas crèche. But this season is more than just the baby in the manger. This is an epic narrative of a broken world, God’s love for creation, and the rich cast of characters who had the faith to work with their God in a plan to redeem the world.
Like most of the art found throughout this home, the artists in this exhibition interpret the meaning and depth of the stories of faith much like a pastor who preaches on, teaches about or interprets the biblical stories for a community of faith. These artists come from a variety of faith backgrounds, but all share a desire to utilize the creative imagination to explore the narratives and struggles common within all human life and culture.
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