collection of nine buildings ranging from a ragtag former government house to the loſty new fiber-arts center. But this past spring aſter the snows melted, guild members gath- ered in the old library to hear a read- ing by Kelly Goss, a young writer from Michigan and artist-in-resi- dence here for a few months. Teir critiques were soſt and supportive. Grünewald affirms its visiting artists of all levels with encouragement. “It’s really easy to fall in love with
this place,” Goss said. “I’ve grown spiritually, intellectually and socially as a result of this experience, and it’s been such an affirmation of my craſt and that the arts are alive.” Even the teachers discover them-
COURTESY OF THE GRÜNEWALD GUILD
to the Renaissance painter Mat- thias Grünewald, whose Isenheim Altarpiece shows the crucified Jesus covered in lesions, an artwork in which sick and diseased people at the time found great comfort.) “We seem to attract people who
are in transition,” said Sarah Jane Gray, art program coordinator. Frustrated at the confines of
teaching art in a classroom, Caem- merer turned his back on a suc- cessful career as an art history and art professor at Valparaiso [Ind.] University to start this ecumeni- cal Christian community open to people of all faiths and even no faith. While the Caemmerers handed
over the reins to executive direc- tor Dan Oberg in 2006, Richard still paints far into the night at their home overlooking the guild, and Liz still works the many big weaving looms there. From November to March, 3
feet of snow typically blankets this
selves. Scott Dillman, who became a pottery instructor here, now believes teaching may be his life’s calling. “I love teaching,” he said. While visitors tend to look
inward during their stay here, the guild is also outward-looking. In Haiti, Grünewald folks helped locals make pottery beads, which became a source of income. A touring exhibit of works by many of the guild’s well-known artists is making its way through Pacific Northwest churches. People near and far who have
been to Grünewald have consis- tently stepped in to help fend off occasional financial woes and even closure. “It’s almost like an extended fam-
ily,” Oberg said. Under Oberg, the nonprofit’s
finances are stronger than ever. Its annual budget of $265,000 is a 43 percent increase over 2006. While donors were the prime supporters then, Oberg said the Grünewald Guild today is supported much more by programs, retreats and summer workshops (see a listing at www.
grunewaldguild.com). A few hun- dred people come here each year.
Caemmerer, a Lutheran theo-
logian’s son whose stained-glass works and paintings are in dozens of churches across the country, appears to still believe in his premise that art is more holistic when created in community rather than in a class. “Te environment of the commu-
nity affirms the processes of which you teach,” he concluded.
Author bio: Pritchett is a retired news- paper journalist who lives on Bainbridge Island, Wash.
Harbor of Hospitality Seafarers
for
In the Ports of Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Jersey New York & New England
Immigrants from detention centers in New Jersey & New York
and You in our guest house
Harbor of Hospitality
123 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003 Phone: (212) 677-4800
Book online:
www.sihnyc.org
Your patronage supports our mission for seafarers and immigrants. A Mission of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
October 2014 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52