Bittersweet
Our lives are at once bitter and sweet, beautiful and horrible. Louis Armstrong whispers “O What a Wonderful World” while another Rages Against the Machine. Sixpence pens songs about “This Beautiful Mess” and Alan Paton puts his “Cry for the Beloved Country” to paper. They all speak truly, for this is the human condition. And it is the Christian story alone that begins to make sense of this profound paradox. My recent short film, “Speechless”, attempts to recount the story of our world, a work of art created in beauty by a good God, but perverted and corrupted by its inhabitants. We look around and see that this is true. The Good News is that God is restoring His people to beauty. The arts have a unique ability to retell this story to a generation that is wary of the Church and its checkered past. Indeed, in our experience in Spain, the arts have found eyes and ears to listen where other expressions of the Gospel have failed. I have also been encouraged in this process by the immediate enthusiasm for the studio amongst fellow post moderns, both Christian and not.
So, after two stints in Spain, I am returning to Barcelona long-term to launch a new and exciting ministry: Alas eStudio (”Wings” Studio). This creative studio is so named because a primary goal will be giving wings to young Christian painters, designers, writers, and filmmakers. The studio will serve them by providing a time and a place to work, both alone and in collaboration with other artists. Alastudio will also provide a forum for their work through the ministry of Agape (Campus Crusade for Christ in Spain) and through exhibitions at the studio and in Barcelona. And through readings, studies, discussions, and joint projects, we will think together about the calling of a Christian artist. With half our time, Alastudio will be the creative voice of Agape, creating their brochures, webpages, and films. With the rest, artists will be free to explore and develop their creative vision. Finally, Alastudio will be a sanctuary for those students in Barcelona who are harried and are hungry for peace with God. Some good friends of mine just recently launched the university ministry of Agape in Barcelona. We will work together to make Alastudio a place of beauty, rest, and reflection in the city where, through the arts, these students can consider whether it is Jesus who is the true risen savior of Caravaggio’s “Doubting Thomas”, the hope for Munch’s interminable “Scream,” and the life for Van Gogh’s longing peasant “At Heaven’s Gate”.
My part in all this will be both as the director and as a resident artist. I too will split my time between leading the studio and its ministry and working on a number of personal creative projects. As for directing the studio, I will be responsible for creating and maintaining the studio, for envisioning and managing our endeavors, and for recruiting and discipling a team of artists. Creatively, I’ve been anxious to pursue a screenplay I’ve long been writing
The greatest earthly barrier to Alas eStudio becoming a reality is, as is so often the case, financial. To get to work as soon as possible, my priority is raising support for the studio itself. I estimate that it will cost about $1200 dollars a month for rent, utilities, and other expenses. I am also praying for significant one-time contributions to buy desks, bookcases, paint and equipment. May I ask that you prayerfully consider financially supporting this ministry? Perhaps there is some other way you or your church or company could partner with the studio. Let me know if you think of something.
Time is short. I hope to return to Barcelona mid-November. If you are able and willing to help, I urge you to respond as soon as possible. Whatever the case, I hope you will follow our efforts to bring truth to light through the arts and keep us in your prayers. The best place to do this will be here at alastudio.com and through my emailing list. To join, email me. We will be posting a lot of our work and ideas on the web. You can also review photos and letters from my recent ministry at grublet.com/spain. Finally, if you know of anyone else who might be interested in supporting or being a part of Alastudio, please pass this letter along.
Que Dios te bendiga,
Tags: alas
