 MAY/SUMMER 2002 (XXXX 3) |
The Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts (FQA) held its second annual non-juried Members' Art Show in March at the Da Vinci Art Alliance gallery in Philadelphia.
The show included wood carving, photography, paintings, sculpture, knitting and carving on sandstone, just to name a few art media. One of the highlights of the show were sketches by Asa Watkins, a conscientious objector during World War II. Asa Watkins worked in a mental institution during the war and made these sketches there. He died last year. Watkins and his work were featured in the PBS documentary “The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It,” and several sketches can be seen at www.pbs.org/itvs/thegoodwar/gallery.html. A video clip of Watkins talking about his experiences and his work is at www.pbs.org/itvs/thegoodwar/vid_watkins.html.
The Members’ Art Show Opening Reception was very well attended with over 60 participants rubbing elbows with Quaker artists and enjoying refreshments provided by the Fellowship. Poetry was read by Esther Murer of Central Philadelphia Meeting and Adele Bourne of Moorestown Meeting (NJ). This was followed by folk singing on guitar by Joan Broadfield of Chester Meeting (PA).
The Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts is a growing international network of Quakers with active artistic interests. Besides the Members' Show, FQA has several ongoing projects, including publications, an expanding website [www.quaker.org/fqa], the Lemonade Art Gallery at the Friends General Conference Gathering, support of Quaker artists, and a highly-regarded newsletter, Types & Shadows. For more information write to FQA, PO Box 58565, Philadelphia PA 19102, or e-mail fqa@quaker.org.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM