For our 2021 off-year event, the Liturgical Arts Festival plans to bring the cross-cultural phenomenon of prayer and art kites to Springfield—to our knowledge, a local first! Kite-art has been the central focus of religious festivals in lands as diverse as Bali and Guatemala, and Buddhism introduced the first kites to Japan. Betsy Dollar of the Springfield Art Association has graciously agreed to design and build a central phoenix kite for Springfield's debut of this broader tradition, while local children will color, decorate, and inscribe prayers on a flock of smaller butterfly kites—butterflies, like the phoenix, symbolizing rebirth, renewal, and transformation. These kites will then literally carry our prayers to the heavens as we fly them on the green in front of historic Edwards Place (weather permitting). As colorful, prayer-laden kites soar, so too shall the melodic strains of local folk quartet Wild Columbine. Their diverse repetoire reaching through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries onwards likewise connects deep historic roots with future aspirations we hope may flower. Moreover, their repetoire is specially suited to our gracious host venue, as much of it or very similiar would have been very much at home at the Edwards house in its mid-Victorian heyday. Kites and music will join together with interfaith prayers, a few remarks, and some light refreshments in this event offering us all a chance to come together in hope for transformation—a hope art and religion alike envision.
Wild Columbine
Wild Columbine is a trio of central Illinois musicians--Megan Turner, Sally McDaniel-Smith, and William Furry--playing traditional and composed music from the 1700s to the modern era on an assortment of instruments-- flute, whistle, and fife; violin and mandolin; guitar, concertina, and percussion, and voice. Wild Columbine was founded in 2015, though the combined experience of the individual musicians is more than 75 years and reflects several musical styles and disciplines. The band's repertoire includes Playford dances from the 17th century, jigs and reels from the British Islands, American parlor music from the 19th century, and contemporary waltzes and inspirational pieces composed by modern masters.
The band is available to hire for concerts, weddings, receptions, and private parties.
Kite Design by Betsy Dollar
Betsy has both a BFA & MFA in printmaking and paper making from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She made her first block print when she was seven and has been exploring the medium ever since. She has taught art at every level from preschool through the University and to every age and ability level. Her work been shown internationally and is in private collections across the county. She has been the Executive Director at the SAA since fall of 2009.
Betsy has both a BFA & MFA in printmaking and paper making from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She made her first block print when she was seven and has been exploring the medium ever since. She has taught art at every level from preschool through the University and to every age and ability level. Her work been shown internationally and is in private collections across the county. She has been the Executive Director at the SAA since fall of 2009.
Prayer Kites inscribed by Children of Abraham
At the first annual gathering of “Children of Abraham” the children will decorate and write their prayer on kites to be displayed at the LAFS program “Let our Prayer’s Arise.”
The vision of children with varying backgrounds laughing and playing with each other was what Umbreen Jabbar at the Islamic Society of Greater Springfield set out for when she helped to create the Children of Abraham program in 2016.The interfaith group, host children at their place of worship to learn about one another, cultivate respect and build friendships at a young age. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to meet for gatherings hosted by four faith communities: Grace United Methodist Church, The Islamic Society of Greater Springfield, Springfield Board of Jewish Education and Westminster Presbyterian.
https://www.wpcspi.org/children-of-abraham.html
At the first annual gathering of “Children of Abraham” the children will decorate and write their prayer on kites to be displayed at the LAFS program “Let our Prayer’s Arise.”
The vision of children with varying backgrounds laughing and playing with each other was what Umbreen Jabbar at the Islamic Society of Greater Springfield set out for when she helped to create the Children of Abraham program in 2016.The interfaith group, host children at their place of worship to learn about one another, cultivate respect and build friendships at a young age. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to meet for gatherings hosted by four faith communities: Grace United Methodist Church, The Islamic Society of Greater Springfield, Springfield Board of Jewish Education and Westminster Presbyterian.
https://www.wpcspi.org/children-of-abraham.html
