By Ann Oxford – Contributor

“What I noticed, as [people] scratched away with a charcoal pencil, was that…artistic differences [became] a bridge rather than a barrier, as they discussed their hopes and dreams, professional aspirations and spiritual disciplines,” said Bishop’s chaplain Jesse Dymond as he reflected on the university’s recent Spirituality and Mindfulness Art Hive. The key aim of the event was to use art as a bridge between diverse individuals and groups on Saturday, Feb. 17, when Bishops’ students and staff — along with members of the Lennoxville community — gathered together from their different walks of life for an afternoon of artmaking and conversation focused on themes of spirituality. This event was a collaboration between the Foreman Art Gallery’s ArtLab; the Christian Students Association; the Muslim Students Association; and the Mindfulness, Meditation and Yoga Club.

Complete with music touching on faith and nature themes, tea and good company — even participants who only intended to drop in for a few minutes found themselves caught up in a friendly atmosphere of curiosity and story-sharing. Dymond said, “I was encouraged to see such a large and diverse group for our first event. I don’t think any two participants chose the same artistic medium, which shouldn’t have surprised me, given the breadth of personalities and experience present.” Participants had access to the ArtLab’s wide collection of materials — primarily sourced from donations — and chose to create anything from drawings and paintings, to collages and jewelry. Part of the concept of an Art Hive is welcoming and recognizing everyone as an artist in their own right; the broad scope of creative expression at such events highlights this. Being able to recognize and celebrate our differences on a small scale, such as preferred artistic mediums, can open a door to discussing and celebrating what can often be more divisive differences, such as spiritual beliefs. 

Events such as this one can give students of different walks of faith a space to be seen and included on campus. Members of the ArtLab team, including myself, look forward to the possibility of hosting another Spirituality and Mindfulness Art Hive later in the semester, to provide us all with a way to acknowledge and embrace diverse spirituality on campus and in our community.

The ArtLab has regular, drop-in Art Hive hours (not focused on a theme) open to the public every Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and every Saturday from 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. The spirituality-centred SRC clubs who collaborated for this event also hold many meetings and events throughout the semester.

Ann Oxford is a member of the ArtLab team and one of the co-leads of the Christian Students Association.