the art of education
“Where is the installation now?” I ask artists, still surprised by variations on the same answer. “Storage. Boxes. My garage.” Large pieces, collections, thesis final projects. After the initial show, finding space for display can be challenging.
In April of 2016, we “rescued” Laura Wennstrom’s mass sculpture from storage to be installed in the sanctuary, where it has become a vibrant metaphor of our fellowship and faith. What an honor and a gift that continues to bless adults and delight children.
Soon we will welcome a temporary installation of artwork by 12 survivors of Auschwitz Concentration Camp including 60 paintings and drawings. When I talked with Brian Kahn, the co-director of the Holocaust Education Center, I asked where I could see it now, to get a sense of how it would work. But of course, it is currently in storage. On loan from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland, this educational exhibit needs a space to tell a story that is still relevant.
The Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation offers an opportunity to do something to address and combat the antiSemitisim, other religious persecution, and racism that still exists in our world, long after the end of the Holocaust. We wish to create a community dialogue about how the events of the Holocaust relate to our world today.
• We are friends and neighbors living together in a nation founded on many principles, including freedom of religion.
• We recognize that our lives are intertwined in the fabric of our shared histories.
• We understand that teaching about anti-Semitism and the Holocaust is something that can be difficult.
• We want to educate as many people as we can about the Holocaust to stop religious persecution and racism.
• We would also like to share information with you about “The Righteous Among the Nations” who worked to help save Jews and other victims of the Holocaust so that you can share their courageous acts as an example.
Why is New Covenant hosting “The Auschwitz Experience: In the Art of Prisoners”? Combating antiSemitism, anti-Judaism, and racism in the church is at the core of our calling in this community. Combined with our upcoming viewing and discussion of Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America and our hosting of the Ministerial Alliance churches’ World Communion Celebration, we seek to build unity among people of faith. We are the Salt of the Earth sang Jean-René Balekita and Laeticia Kyungu, and we all need Peace & Love.
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message)
As we embrace these opportunities, may we together be salt and light in our community.
-Renée