Renewal Grant Links Art and Worship

September 1, 2002

Local artist Rafael Parea de la Cabada will oversee “Revelation in Genesis,” a semester-long project involving Westmont students next fall. A $15,000 grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship will fund the project.
Parea will oversee three groups of students who will create three works of art to be displayed on campus: one in Page residence hall, one for the space used for chapel and one on the Voskuyl Library lawn. The works are intended to express the Christ-centered character of living, learning and worshipping at Westmont.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said assistant professor of art and project director Lisa DeBoer. “The whole project, from start to finish, is designed to help students undestand the power of art to interpret and enhance our lives. Students wrote the grant proposal, students will participate in the creation of the artworks, and students will help administer the grant. Most important, our students will take this experience with them as they move on to other places and other roles in life.”

Parea is a prominent figure in the arts community of Santa Barbara. He regularly exhibits his work in galleries in California, Mexico and Europe. In addition to solo exhibitions, he has supervised several community-based arts programs.

The semester-long activity will include students working on a volunteer basis and engaging in four, three-week sessions during which ideas for the project will be formulated, designs finalized and approved, and the work carried out. The pieces will be formally introduced to the campus community during a December 2002 chapel service.

This program is made possible through a Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Grand Rapids, Mich., with funds provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc.

For more information, contact DeBoer at (805) 565-6123 or the public affairs office at (805) 565-7057, or e-mail pubaffairs@westmont.edu.