For those of you who are either new to this blog or unaware of what I could possibly be talking about in that title...let me explain. You may not know, that along with being a full time working artist with a business called "revelatorART", I am also a Traveling Art Minister. If you're unfamiliar with what Art Ministry is, what a Traveling Art Minister is, and might be wondering what the heck does this have to do with art and why should I care...let me introduce myself...
My name is Lisa Marten. I’ve been a full time working artist for 17 years. I utilize many different mediums and a variety of artforms within my art business called “revelatorART”, and my performance art company called “Marten Evergreen”. This includes commissioned studio work, contracted mural work, live painting engagements, teaching private art lessons, one person and multi-artist art exhibits and art shows, live performances including painting-choreographed dance-music and spoken word, and number of other creative endeavors that I gain employment for. Along with art being a way of life for me and the way that I gain income, art has also been a way to minister to others. And for me, this is an important part of who I am. What do I mean by all of this?
Here's a bit of my story...
I started out as an Art Major at Seattle Pacific University. Art has always been a part of my life. My journey has taken me on some creative adventures. I have a BA in Youth Ministry (’92)-which is about mentoring youth-and a second BA in Behavioral Science (’95)-which is counseling/psychology training. Both degrees are from Northwest University in the Seattle area. I also have a 6 month course completion certificate from The Harvest Ministry College (a ministry/missions/leadership training school) in Glasgow, Scotland ('02).
Throughout my working career, I have utilized art therapy with children and adults (in professional psychoanalyst therapeutic settings, in public art workshop settings, along with private studio art therapy sessions) and have seen the healing and therapeutic results of art when people allow themselves to connect to their hearts through creativity. I truly care about people's well being and enjoy getting see people discover important things within them as they pursue their own life journeys. It was this connection of art and therapy and ministry and missions that has led me down a path that is quite new and cutting edge in our world today.
What is "Ministry" or a "Minister":
I've been a volunteer Art Minister and leader with an Arts Ministry called VineArts at the Boise Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Boise, Idaho since 2005. And it's been through this experience that I've learned that at the core of who I am...I am a "Minister" and specifically, an "Art Minister". You may be asking...What is "Ministry" and what is a "Minister"? Some of you may have heard the terms used in a Governmental setting. Others may have heard the terms used in a Church setting. The terms are typically used to describe someone's job description or a title for a group of people who are doing a specific task and might be relegated to only those who are given a specific profession.
I use the terms a bit different. I use them more as verbs...action oriented. I use them to be inclusive (not exclusive). The easiest way I can describe "Ministry" (the way I see it) is "Mentoring". Mentoring is more than teaching a specific subject or coaching a specific skill...it's coming alongside others and caring for them in such a way that helps to bring out the best of who they are (think Mr. Miagee in The Karate Kid...he did more than teach karate, or coach self defense skills...he mentored life to Daniel). Mentoring can be accomplished in countless ways and look like just about anything.
I’ve ministered to (mentored) people of all ages through creative activities and artistic focus within ministry (mentoring). I've curated a gallery for 6 years which allows for artists of all ages and skill levels to learn that what they create is important and worth being seen, and have led small group ministry (mentoring) to artists allowing for safe places for them to explore and pursue who they are at their core. I’ve worked side by side with other Art Ministers connecting with artists and getting to see people gain a deeper understanding of themselves as creative beings created by God. I have been and am currently also a part of a group of ecumenical Art Ministers from around the United States, Canada, and the UK who meet annually in Texas to cross pollinate and learn from each other.
I love to travel. My father was in the US Navy and so I've grown up traveling. As an adult, I have found that I have an innate desire to travel and experience other places, cultures, people in this world along with my own. I have traveled throughout the US and overseas (and have lived overseas). Throughout the years I’ve traveled around the world (sometimes for exploring and sometimes to serve and help in other countries). Regardless what the trip might be for, I’ve always found myself doing art and connecting with other artists on my travels. My training in all of these areas (whether organized or organic) has prepared me for what I am doing today.
What is "Art Ministry"? or an "Art Minister"?:
An "Art Minister" is someone who mentors others through creativity, and oftentimes will specifically mentor Artists. It was in 2010 that I recognized how I could join art and ministry (mentoring) and missions (mentoring in places beyond what I have known) together by traveling to places where I already have connections (people I’ve met throughout the years who are already living and serving abroad to communities small and large, whether through the influence of specific churches, world wide missions organizations, business in communities, or relationship with others) to bring art as a form of ministry to those communities in creative ways. It’s this endeavor that I want to bring to your attention to share my heart with you about. I take art and ministry around the world.
You see I really do believe that creativity is a language that transcends all other languages, all nations, cultures, and borders (all cultures throughout history have their own forms of art, music, textiles, stories, etc.). It's a language we all share...it's the language of our Creator (no matter what religion people have faith in, there is art that expresses that religion). It may look or sound a bit different depending upon where we live and who we are, and some of us might be a bit rusty at first engagement, but it's a language that we all speak.
About the Conversation:
I believe Creativity is like a conversation. There are conversations going on all the time. Conversations with the people and the work of their hands, with people and God, with people and nature, with people and humankind, with people and self. Creativity allows me to come alongside others and enter into the conversations that are already happening with them. I love listening to the conversations (it's an honor, a sacred thing). If I'm invited into the conversations this brings about collaboration. Collaboration is an invitation to the sharing of ideas and it's a huge part of building relationship. I believe humankind is a relational people. We need each other. I believe we were created that way by a creative God who is all about relationship with us. And I believe we've been given creativity as a language to relate to each other with. When we connect into the conversation through creativity and allow for collaboration, we are helping to build community together and this helps foster relationship. And the walls become invisible between us.
How Do I "Do" This "Traveling Art Ministry"?:
Since I started traveling for this purpose I have been able to do art and ministry in countries like Ireland, Ecuador, New Zealand, Lithuania, Scotland, Canada and throughout the USA (on and off the mainland), and I am currently in the process of planning an upcoming trip to Thailand. I have mostly traveled on my own...but have also traveled with other Art Ministers.
Each of these trips looks different from the other as they are hand tailored to the specific country, culture, people, ecumenical relationships and needs of those I would be ministering to. Most of my work has been with adults but I have also worked with youth and children also. I’ve done anything from facilitating collaborative art projects for large and small groups, designing and implementing community art murals, leading small group therapeutic or ministerial art activities, painting live for local events, painting live for worship services, painting live/accompanying a pastor’s sermon for church services, painting live and speaking the sermon for church services, meeting with artistic groups to discuss how to implement creative art ministry, and allowing for relational ministry (however that needs to look).
How do I fund these trips? It's all done out of my own pocket and by those who individually desire to generously gift to me. Let me be clear, I am not getting paid to do this. I get no monies from the government, churches, missions organizations, or any other official institution to take these travels. Unlike my art business, I don't require my hosts (whom I already have friendship with) to pay me for these "Art Ministry Trips". The only thing I ask is to be able to stay with them and eat with them while I'm with them). I fund these trips through relationship. It's a free gift. I give the time. I give the mentoring. I give the art. It's about relationship. Human to human. Heart to heart.
In 2012 I formed a group of 12 Pastors and Art Ministers (from different church denominations) surrounding me who serve as my "Commissioning Group". Why and What is that you ask? My "Commissioning Group" provide support, prayer, and accountability. There's a lot involved (behind the scenes) to do a trip like I do. And though I am often the sole person on these trips...they are as much a part of them as I am. My "Commissioning Group" meets with me before my trips to help me prepare. I do tons of research about the places, people, cultures, and specific needs of those I will be traveling to. My "Commissioning Group" partners with me in helping me to prepare for the trips. They message with me daily while I am out on the trips (keeping in contact and up to date on how things are going). And they debrief with me once I am back from my trips (helping me process through my experiences and what I've learned). They are my lifeline while I am out on the field and they are my soft place to land when I come back.
Why I DO this thing called "Art Ministry":
Because I am compelled. One thing I’ve learned through what I get to do as an "Art Minister"…it’s not about me (I'm not traveling with these trips so I can gain or so I can see the world or so I can be known)...it's about relationship with others. And...(unlike creating a painting for a paying client whom I'm contracted with through my art business) it’s not really about the art either (the art is the starting point). It will always be about relationship. Heart to heart. About God’s heart for people and how connecting with other humans is an important part of ministry (mentoring). What I get to do as an "Art Minister" is to be a part of conversation in collaboration (between me and God and my hosts, and those we’re ministering to, and those who are praying and supporting and donating supplies for the activities, etc.) and it’s a privilege to be a part of it throughout this world in so many places and in so many ways. We all get to play in some way. What I have found is that my purpose and point out there on these trips usually has so many layers it's difficult to say "this is why I am going" or "this is why I went". But I what I do know is that there is usually deep stuff taking place within all involved and my presence on the trip (however long and however it looked) was an important part of this journey we call life together.
I am very appreciative of all of my experiences. The training I received throughout my education, along with work and volunteer experiences, was the beginning of an incredible adventure that God set before me. Today, as a "Traveling Art Minister", I love what I get to do. I get to paint on people’s lives.
