Gala, Silent Auction Benefits NYC Arts Org Illuminating the Entire Bible
Spark and Echo Arts celebrated its seventh year with a gala and silent auction fundraiser held in the O’Keeffe Student Union on October 19, 2017.
Spark and Echo Arts, an arts non-profit dedicated to illuminating the entire Bible through the arts, celebrated its seventh year with a gala and silent auction fundraiser held in the O’Keeffe Student Union on October 19, 2017.
Spark and Echo Arts is committed to engaging artists from diverse backgrounds by challenging them to respond to the Bible with art, music, theatre, poetry, dance, and film. To date, the nonprofit has commissioned 291 artists who have responded to 3,076 verses with hundreds of works of art. Artists—including some who are deeply familiar with the Bible and others who have not yet explored it—are encouraged to respond honestly to each passage, in their own voice.
The evening featured an exhibition of art curated by Human Rights Network founder Elias Popa, live music from international recording artist Mara Measor, a preview of Spark+Echo Arts’ new web platform by Ty Fujimura of Cantilever, and presentations from composer Bernd Klug and Spark and Echo Arts founder Jonathon Roberts. Paul Schissler, NYC comedian and co-founder of Comedy Wire emceed. The night concluded with a silent auction celebrating the work of the Spark+Echo Arts community, accompanied by handmade hors d’oeuvres.
Art from the exhibition will be on view in the Student Union through December, with work from David Chang, Nicora Gangi, Maria Fee, Steve Forster, Lily May Knights, Evelyn Lewis, Scott Neely, Toralf Sümmchen, Duda Penteado, Elias Popa, and Victoria Zintchenko. Spark and Echo Arts and The King’s College have a years-long history of exploring art and faith together. Professor Chris Cragin-Day was a theater curator on the Spark and Echo Arts team. Several King’s students have interned with the organization, and the Nonprofit Management class completed a semester-long project related to Spark and Echo’s new website. Dr. Kimberly Reeve currently serves on the board.
Dr. Reeve summarized, “Spark and Echo Arts exists to challenge artists and viewers alike to contemplate, interact with, and respond to Scripture. It has been a privilege to volunteer for and work alongside an organization that supports the core values of The King’s College.”