One of our core values in The Hallows Church is Cultural Integrity. This value is practiced by expressing and embodying God’s kingdom as a church in Seattle, and encouraging Christian engagement with culture shaping avenues such as the arts, business, government, and the academy with integrity, authenticity, faithfulness, and excellence (Matthew 5:13-16; Colossians 3:23). In our current Sunday series, we have had the exciting privilege of seeing new art from artists in our local expressions interpreting the particular attribute or work of God we are studying.

So far, the project has given our Sunday gathering a deeper understanding of the message, which has led us into deeper worship and enjoyment of Him. We’ve seen art from SPU student Lily Hunter, artist and designer Nanette Sakanashi, and graphic designer Amanda Hickernell! We are thankful for how they’ve used their artistic gift to glorify God, and look forward to seeing more pieces each Sunday this summer from Hallows artists!

Mysterious Moon
The Openness of God
by Lily Hunter

 Currently finishing up my third year at Seattle Pacific University, I am majoring in Music Composition and hoping to go off somewhere into the musical world after graduating. Although music is my main focus, creating visual art has always been a way for me to channel creativity and allows my ideas and perceptions of the world to fall onto a canvas for others to see.    I created “Mysterious Moon” a few years back, and I remember being inspired by a picture that I took at my house. I loved the perspective and the way that the trees seemed to angle and point to the sky, as if reminding me of how small I am and how great our God is. I used as much white as I could in the dark background, to give a sparkling, glowing effect for the moon and stars, and detailed illumination on the tree trunks. Although I consider night as a quiet, peaceful time, I also think it brilliantly reflects what an awesome and glorious God we serve!

Currently finishing up my third year at Seattle Pacific University, I am majoring in Music Composition and hoping to go off somewhere into the musical world after graduating. Although music is my main focus, creating visual art has always been a way for me to channel creativity and allows my ideas and perceptions of the world to fall onto a canvas for others to see.   I created “Mysterious Moon” a few years back, and I remember being inspired by a picture that I took at my house. I loved the perspective and the way that the trees seemed to angle and point to the sky, as if reminding me of how small I am and how great our God is. I used as much white as I could in the dark background, to give a sparkling, glowing effect for the moon and stars, and detailed illumination on the tree trunks. Although I consider night as a quiet, peaceful time, I also think it brilliantly reflects what an awesome and glorious God we serve!

 

Stream of Conscientiousness
The Beauty of God
by Nanette Sakanashi

 Born in British Columbia, and raised across Canada and the South Pacific, Nanette landed in Seattle a little over two years ago. She has a bachelor’s degree in Studio Fine Art and Illustration from John Brown University in Arkansas. She loves southern food, southern France, cheap airfare, and the occasional Mighty-O Doughnut. Nestled close to Green Lake, Nanette enjoys life with her husband John, and their Australian Shepherd puppy, Roo.  Stream of Conscientiousness represents an inner dialogue. This body of work is what I aspire to as my self-portrait—a seamless continuum comprised of thoughts, prayers, lyrics, but predominately Scripture. My hope is that the Word of God would dwell in me with such vibrancy that every other voice inside me would mold itself around the Spirit's truth. The imagery of this installation is derived from Psalm 1, which explores the interaction between living water and deeply rooted trees as a metaphor for someone who delights in the person of God.

Born in British Columbia, and raised across Canada and the South Pacific, Nanette landed in Seattle a little over two years ago. She has a bachelor’s degree in Studio Fine Art and Illustration from John Brown University in Arkansas. She loves southern food, southern France, cheap airfare, and the occasional Mighty-O Doughnut. Nestled close to Green Lake, Nanette enjoys life with her husband John, and their Australian Shepherd puppy, Roo. Stream of Conscientiousness represents an inner dialogue. This body of work is what I aspire to as my self-portrait—a seamless continuum comprised of thoughts, prayers, lyrics, but predominately Scripture. My hope is that the Word of God would dwell in me with such vibrancy that every other voice inside me would mold itself around the Spirit’s truth. The imagery of this installation is derived from Psalm 1, which explores the interaction between living water and deeply rooted trees as a metaphor for someone who delights in the person of God.

 

 

The Grace of God
by Amanda Hickernell

 Mirror Lake, Yosemite, CA

Mirror Lake, Yosemite, CA “Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe… grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.” Grace Greater Than Our Sin, Julia H. Johnston (1911) Just as this photo of Mirror Lake is beautiful, disorienting and the undeniable handiwork of God, so it is with God’s grace! The more I learn of God’s grace, then more awestruck I become that He would die for me. Amanda Hickernell is a graphic designer that lives in West Seattle with her hubby and two little girls. On Saturday mornings you can find her exploring God’s creation with a camera in one hand and a toddler in the other.