Artists of the Way

In this episode I invite my friend John Taylor back on the podcast. We speak about the topic of video games. Are they art? If so, what makes them distinctive as an art form? And how do we engage with them in a redemptive way?John is an associate pastor with Crosswinds Church, and is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Cornerstone University.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Shaye Wilson joins us to talk about how we engage with art in our pain. What kinds of art are we drawn to, why, and how is God present in using art to heal us?Shaye is a poet and author under the pen name lynn w. francis. Shaye has also been seen onstage with Jon several times, and is a hobbyist painter, dancer, and just about anything else artistic!Find out more about Shaye at her website here: www.lynnwfrancis.comSign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode I reflect on the season of Lent, what God is doing to prepare us for Easter as we reflect on our sinfulness and His grace, and what that means for Artists. How do we embrace the uncomfortable season of Lent in our art?I also looks at my experience in Hamlet last year, and how that became an accidental Lenten practice for me, which informs a lot of my thoughts on how Lent and Art can intersect.Here is the Ash Wednesday devotional I referred to in the episode: https://nashotahchapter.com/pilgrimage-reflections-on-lent/project-one-h346n-e6ywsSign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode, Jon speaks with Chris Knobloch, the Vice President, Director, and Writer for God's Helping Hands! They discuss Chris' experience creating art with the goal of discipling Children, what it's like to work with puppets, and the wonderful way God led Chris to His plan for him.​GHH comes alongside churches, camps and communities giving exciting and Biblically-sound live presentations utilizing professional full-stage puppetry, ventriloquism, music and dramatic storytelling. Using original and captivating scripts, along with colorful staging and props, GHH delivers the unchanging truth of God's Word in a way that is relevant and relatable.  Find out more information on their website: https://www.ghhinc.org/Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon speaks with Christine Hall on her experience starting Alive Theatre in Lansing, the process of directing their debut show, These Shining Lives, and her experience trying to be a professional actress.These Shining Lives is being produced by Alive Theatre in Lansing, MI, and runs from January 26th to February 3rd. To find out more information visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheAliveTheatre.Visit this link and scroll down to These Shining Lives to purchase tickets: https://masterarts.ludus.com/index.phpSign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon discusses two of his favorite movies from 2023, and some of their cool themes, and how he sees reflections of God in those themes. He also reflects back on the podcast in 2023, and what Artists of the Way will have going on in 2024.Thank you all for listening! Artists of the Way will return late January of 2024!If you want to skip the reflections on movies and go right to what is happening with Artists of the Way go to 29:10.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon speaks with his friend Timothy Van Bruggen about their experience with liturgy, the importance of a rhythm of life to an artist, and how liturgy and art connect to each other in our life and faith.Timothy is the Executive Director of Master Arts Theatre, and is an accomplished actor and director. He has had his hands in many artistic pursuits including writing, design, lighting, and served as a worship pastor for nearly two decades.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon speaks with singer-songwriter John Van Deusen. They discuss John's songwriting, how his faith intersects with his music, the importance devotional art, and more! John Van Deusen is a singer-songwriter who seeks to holistically examine the human heart, starting with his own. His music shifts between quiet acoustic sounds, pop influences, and his classic indie rock style. John Van Deusen currently resides in his hometown of Anacortes with his wife and son. You can find his music on Apple Music, Spotify, or visit John Van Deusen's Bandcamp.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon speaks with filmmaker, youtuber, and podcaster, Houston Coley. They chat about his upcoming documentary about L'Abri, a Christian Organization that calls itself "a shelter for honest questions". They also unpack the topic of community, looking at God's role in community, why community forms around artistic projects, and what the digital world means for community.Houston is a documentary filmmaker, theme park theologian, movie philosopher, and self described "appreciator of beauty". Through his youtube channel he seeks to "cultivate spiritual imagination around art and pop culture". He is also the host of the Art Within Podcast, where they have recently done an entire season on the idea of community in the digital era.The Art Within Podcast: https://artwithin.substack.com/Houston Coley Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@houston-coley/featuredFind out more about the L'Abri Documentary: https://www.labridocumentary.com/Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon talks with Andrew Gommesen about his podcast and the way he has pursued art through that, the value and pitfalls of Christian movies, and his experience in continuing to pursue storytelling and acting with his disability.Andrew has hosted the Speaking4Him podcast for eleven years, where he discusses theology and culture. He regularly pursues creative endeavors through his podcast, including radio theatre productions, and has worked with Master Arts Theatre as an assistant director and actor. You can find out more about Andrew at his website here:http://speaking4him.com/index.phpSign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon speaks with his friend, Jordan Awe about acting, finding God's truth in a performance or piece of art, and what it's been like for Jordan to study acting. Jordan is a fellow actor and has shared the stage with Jon a couple of times. Jordan has performed with HPA, Master Arts Theatre, Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, and has toured with Arise Collective Theatre's touring production of Pilgrim. Currently Jordan is studying musical theatre at the Sight and Sound conservatory.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon speaks with conductor, arranger, and music director Robert Nordling. They speak about Robert's experience working with orchestras and classical music, the way music was meant to be communal, and how music bypasses parts of our brain and captures our experiences without using a word.Robert serves as Music Director of the Baroque on Beaver Island Music Festival, the Bandung Philharmonic and the Shoreline Music Society and is active world-wide as a guest conductor. You can find out more at his website: www.robertnordling.comSign up for our newsletter: www.artistsoftheway.com/contactSign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon talks to Lynn W. Francis. Lynn looks back over the process of assembling her collection a year after it's release, and talks with Jon about the work that pursuing art can be.Lynn is a poet, author, and artist. She has published a collection of poems called Me and God Locked in a Room, and Only One of Us Has the Key. You can find out more about Lynn by following her on facebook, on Instagram under fervent_ink, or by visiting her website, www.lynnwfrancis.com.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

Alexis Noelle joins Jon to talk about how she expresses scriptural themes in her art through the use of light, how her painting has helped in her walk with Christ, and how God has been leading her in her artistic vocation in recent months.Alexis is a painter based out the Grand Rapids area. Her goal as an artist is to create work that promotes connection through highlighting things in the world that people universally experience in beholding beauty, and through conveying emotion in my work, so that each individual may know that the are not alone. She has been featured in ArtPrize twice before, and will be a part of ArtPrize in 2023. She is also one of the regular live painters at The Stray Music and Arts Cafe, and has recently begun providing workshops and private lessons. You can find out more about Alexis by visiting her website at https://www.alexisnoellestudio.com/Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlSign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon talks with Jo-Ellen Ming about directing, her upcoming show Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and her views on art and truth and God's working through those.Jo-Ellen has been doing theatre for over thirty years, and has owned TrueJem Productions since 2016. She has directed several shows, some of her favorites being Fiddler on the Roof, Cotton Patch Gospel, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and her various youth productions through TrueJem and Avalon School of Arts.Find out more about TrueJem Productions: https://www.truejem.com/Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlSign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon speaks with Casey Adams about her experience as a dancer, how she has experienced the power of God through prayer, worship, and dance together, and about the need for artists, and really all people, to rely on God every day, and in everything we do.Casey owns For His Glory Ballet, where she teaches dancers of all ages. She also works with Arise Collective Theatre and Olivia Grace and Company. She can be found choreographing several stage productions throughout West Michigan, notably with Homeschool Performing Arts.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

On this episode Jon talks with author Susie Finkbeiner. Susie is the author of nine published books, and her new book the All-American is out this week! Susie speaks with Jon about the importance of healthy community as an artist, the importance of humility in the artistic life of a Christian, and about her own writing and how it has intersected with her faith!Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, as well as Stories That Bind Us, The Nature of Small Birds, and other novels. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan. Learn more at www.susiefinkbeiner.com.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

On this episode Jon talks with John Taylor, a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and resident at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, MI. They discuss the importance of art to the Christian faith, the ways in which God can use it, and some of the theological implications of art to Christian artists.John holds a Masters of Theology with a focus on Multi-Ethnic Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary, and works at Crosswinds Church in Wyoming through Calvary Church's residency programSign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

In this episode Jon welcomes Nate and Ellie Knobloch to talk about the importance of the Christian faith in our art. Not just how a Christian perspective affects how we make the art and how we receive the art, but actually how it makes art better as a whole and how the Christian story can be one of the most compelling and fulfilling lenses to view the world through!Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

On this episode Jon talks with Timothy Van Bruggen about what it means to be faithful to God in your art, and how God is faithful to us through what we create.Tim is the Managing Director of Master Arts Theatre, and will soon be hosting a podcast called Twilight Tales with Tim where he reads stories from the public domain for you to relax to, perhaps by a fire at night. You can find out more about Master Arts by visiting their website at www.masterarts.org. Visit the Resources page on our website for links to the resources mentioned in this episode!Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html

Jon explains what Artists of the Way is,  what led him to want to start this podcast, and what we can expect from it in the future!Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/contact.htmlFind out more about Godspell: https://www.artistsoftheway.com/godspell.html