A bronzesmith from Great Barrier Island, a printmaker from Wellington and a handful of Nelson potters – these were some of the makers and appreciators of art who spent the weekend at the Makery at All Saints.
In a two-day short course called “Making Sense of Making”, a small team from Venn Foundation invited creatives and enthusiasts to gather and explore the arts through a spiritual and biblical lens. They posed questions: Where do the arts fit within God’s good world? How does a Christian artist measure success? How is the artist’s vocation transformed by Jesus’s death and resurrection?
I was incredibly grateful to attend the event myself, as a jack-of-all-creative-trades (and master of none) in both my diocesan employment and personal life.
Venn Foundation’s Donald Goodhall and John Dennison led the teaching sessions, speaking on faithful art-making, the human vocation, and how the world’s brokenness and restoration affect the arts.
Donald Goodhall leads Venn’s Centre for the Arts. He makes music, dabbles in installation art, and collaborates with other artists to “curate spaces of encounter”.
John Dennison is a writer and poet, with a background in university teaching and chaplaincy. Alongside teaching in various Venn programmes, he works to create books and digital resources that nourish faith.
“We created Making Sense of Making because we saw a need for genuinely helpful theological formation for art-lovers and artists,” they told me.
In one of his sessions, John posed that art-making is a consequence of delight, an innate compulsion to join God’s creation in praise, as David did when he wrote poetry in awe:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
Psalm 19:1-2
I was struck by how naturally “making” comes in humans. We reflect the image of our Creator when we ourselves create.
Alongside the teaching, we enjoyed some practical collaboration, and connected as new friends over meals and free time. There was space (and encouragement) to practice our own artistic expressions. I chose to sketch my seven-month-old daughter, who Donald and John were gracious to let attend.
When I spoke with Brad, fellow attendee and colleague (diocesan youth ministry enabler), we agreed that it was fantastic to have craft woven throughout the learning.
“I find it difficult to concentrate for long periods unless my body’s active in some way,” he told me. “Quite often during sermons I'm scribbling in my notebook – if I don't have a positive way to use my body during those times, I don't get as much out of it.” Tables were laid out with clay and coloured pencils, and everyone was given a sketchbook to take notes or draw in. “It was really nice not just to have permission to use our hands but actually have that facilitated. I hadn’t experienced that before in a workshop.”
The Makery – a creative, multi-purpose space at the back of All Saints in Nelson, set up and run by Kaye Bustin – served as the perfect venue for the weekend. Used for youth group, art classes, contemplative prayer sessions and more, it’s a vibrant and versatile space.
Kaye, a ceramic artist and teacher, had attended Making Sense of Making in Auckland and was excited to help host it locally. She has long been an advocate for art in church. “I know God not only meets people as they create,” she said in promoting the course, “but also he impacts other people through the end result. A delicious meal or a beautiful garden can move us deeply and draw us closer to God our Maker. God created our senses so using them and enjoying them, I believe, is part of his wonderful plan.”
Donald and John were enthusiastic about the Makery, and loved their time in Whakatū. “We’re so encouraged by the initiatives God is drawing out of the Church in Nelson.”
It was also a pleasure to be joined by Diana Langdon, the national Anglican children and families ministry enabler. I admire the graphic design work she does in her ministry, her talent in screenprinting and her ability to make simple things beautiful. “I loved setting aside some time to consider how art and creativity is important for the flourishing of both the church and myself,” she said. “In our worshipping communities, we curate spaces to bring colour, beauty, delight and joy into our worship – it’s such a natural part of reflecting the Creator’s heart. I was reminded that my love of art and design isn’t simply a hobby or handy employment skill, but a humble reflection of the way that God has made me.”
When I asked Donald and John how they felt the course went, they called it a “beautiful collaboration”.
“We taught and curated, but everyone brought themselves and their gifts to the time together. The kōrero was rich, the warmth of relationships heartening, and the creative reflection inspiring. I think we all left encouraged. God willing, we’ll be able to bring Making Sense of Making to Whakatū again.”
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
A bronzesmith from Great Barrier Island, a printmaker from Wellington and a handful of Nelson potters – these were some of the makers and appreciators of art who spent the weekend at the Makery at All Saints.
In a two-day short course called “Making Sense of Making”, a small team from Venn Foundation invited creatives and enthusiasts to gather and explore the arts through a spiritual and biblical lens. They posed questions: Where do the arts fit within God’s good world? How does a Christian artist measure success? How is the artist’s vocation transformed by Jesus’s death and resurrection?
I was incredibly grateful to attend the event myself, as a jack-of-all-creative-trades (and master of none) in both my diocesan employment and personal life.
Venn Foundation’s Donald Goodhall and John Dennison led the teaching sessions, speaking on faithful art-making, the human vocation, and how the world’s brokenness and restoration affect the arts.
Donald Goodhall leads Venn’s Centre for the Arts. He makes music, dabbles in installation art, and collaborates with other artists to “curate spaces of encounter”.
John Dennison is a writer and poet, with a background in university teaching and chaplaincy. Alongside teaching in various Venn programmes, he works to create books and digital resources that nourish faith.
“We created Making Sense of Making because we saw a need for genuinely helpful theological formation for art-lovers and artists,” they told me.
In one of his sessions, John posed that art-making is a consequence of delight, an innate compulsion to join God’s creation in praise, as David did when he wrote poetry in awe:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
Psalm 19:1-2
I was struck by how naturally “making” comes in humans. We reflect the image of our Creator when we ourselves create.
Alongside the teaching, we enjoyed some practical collaboration, and connected as new friends over meals and free time. There was space (and encouragement) to practice our own artistic expressions. I chose to sketch my seven-month-old daughter, who Donald and John were gracious to let attend.
When I spoke with Brad, fellow attendee and colleague (diocesan youth ministry enabler), we agreed that it was fantastic to have craft woven throughout the learning.
“I find it difficult to concentrate for long periods unless my body’s active in some way,” he told me. “Quite often during sermons I'm scribbling in my notebook – if I don't have a positive way to use my body during those times, I don't get as much out of it.” Tables were laid out with clay and coloured pencils, and everyone was given a sketchbook to take notes or draw in. “It was really nice not just to have permission to use our hands but actually have that facilitated. I hadn’t experienced that before in a workshop.”
The Makery – a creative, multi-purpose space at the back of All Saints in Nelson, set up and run by Kaye Bustin – served as the perfect venue for the weekend. Used for youth group, art classes, contemplative prayer sessions and more, it’s a vibrant and versatile space.
Kaye, a ceramic artist and teacher, had attended Making Sense of Making in Auckland and was excited to help host it locally. She has long been an advocate for art in church. “I know God not only meets people as they create,” she said in promoting the course, “but also he impacts other people through the end result. A delicious meal or a beautiful garden can move us deeply and draw us closer to God our Maker. God created our senses so using them and enjoying them, I believe, is part of his wonderful plan.”
Donald and John were enthusiastic about the Makery, and loved their time in Whakatū. “We’re so encouraged by the initiatives God is drawing out of the Church in Nelson.”
It was also a pleasure to be joined by Diana Langdon, the national Anglican children and families ministry enabler. I admire the graphic design work she does in her ministry, her talent in screenprinting and her ability to make simple things beautiful. “I loved setting aside some time to consider how art and creativity is important for the flourishing of both the church and myself,” she said. “In our worshipping communities, we curate spaces to bring colour, beauty, delight and joy into our worship – it’s such a natural part of reflecting the Creator’s heart. I was reminded that my love of art and design isn’t simply a hobby or handy employment skill, but a humble reflection of the way that God has made me.”
When I asked Donald and John how they felt the course went, they called it a “beautiful collaboration”.
“We taught and curated, but everyone brought themselves and their gifts to the time together. The kōrero was rich, the warmth of relationships heartening, and the creative reflection inspiring. I think we all left encouraged. God willing, we’ll be able to bring Making Sense of Making to Whakatū again.”
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
