Advent Open Studio

The Advent Open Studio welcomes everyone with a pure heart, seeking to explore art as a channel for the spiritual reflection of the inner life and relationship with God, for a time of preparing to welcome Christ with hope, joy, peace, and love, but also a season of personal spiritual renewal and growth. In the quietness of music, art, prayer, meditation, and contemplation, we encounter the miraculous gift of Christ, the light of the world.

FAQs

What is the Art and Faith Fellowship Group at New Bridges UMC?

With a vision to invite souls seeking God's presence through art-making, this Art and Faith Fellowship Group (also called the Art and Faith Ministry) began at the final phase of the churches' merger. During a transformative and challenging period when the atmosphere was relatively subdued, art and music naturally provided a gentle bridge between the two congregations with different church worship styles and age diversity. The group was formed in response to a personal calling from God, with a thankful heart, serving to give back to Twin Towers UMC and Embrace Church. The Art and Faith Fellowship Group remained active during the merger's final stage and continued into the early days of New Bridges UMC. In the three core values of Artful Worship, Spiritual Reflection, and Community Outreach, the fellowship group began small, with thorough preparation, and has offered various ongoing faith-based art projects for all ages. It welcomes both church and community participants who are willing to explore connecting with God through personal, creative art creation time at their own pace, as art and faith converge to foster personal well-being, spiritual growth, healing, and outreach. All events, workshops, and programs under the Art and Faith Fellowship Group are designed, initiated, taught, led, and launched by two teaching artists and musicians, Fan and Sam, who serve entirely as volunteers and receive no compensation or stipend. All donations to the Art and Faith Ministry are used solely for this group's activities within this church, and the funds are all tracked transparently—acquired, allocated, and used.

What materials are included in the mixed-media art supplies provided by the Art & Faith Fellowship Group?

The mixed-media art supply selection includes a variety of traditional dry and wet media, consisting of graphite pencils, charcoal pencils, coloured pencils, crayons, chalk pastels, oil pastels, ink, pens, watercolor, gouache, acrylic paints, and water-soluble oil paints. Additionally, essential tools such as brushes, different types of art paper, and small canvases are included.

Why combine Open Studio with Devotional Art?

The format naturally developed from the Art and Faith Fellowship Group, which has hosted 16 sessions at this church location. These include standalone events, themed seasonal workshops, and now, a festive series with 12 additional gatherings.

Who is suitable to participate?

We invite anyone ready to explore and experiment with an open, respectful heart. The Open Studio series welcomes church members and community participants of all ages. Please ensure that an adult accompanies children under 12.

Do participants need any art skills or experience?

Participants of all skill levels are welcome. The teaching artist/musician will be available to provide art support upon request.

What can participants expect at the Advent Open Studio?

Participants can read the Advent-related devotional materials or prompts, listen to the guided meditation recordings, or enjoy occasional live, soothing music featuring hymns or classical pieces performed on Western and Eastern instruments. All will be either a gentle introduction or a choice into a personal art-making journey, with each individual freely selecting preferred mixed-media materials and taking time to spiritually reflect on faith, inner life, or any other matters of inspiration.

How long can participants stay in the Advent Open Studio?

Participants may come and go at any time during scheduled open studio hours.

How many times can participants attend?

Participants are welcome to attend as many times as on the listed days.

Do participants need to complete a finished artwork during the Advent Open Studio?

Participants can work at their own pace: leave projects in the studio to continue later, or take them home to finish.

Is there a fee to participate in the Advent Open Studio?

Participation in the Advent Open Studio is free. Donations are appreciated, but entirely optional.

Do participants need to sign up?

Just walk in! Space is limited, so for large groups or special scheduling requests, contact us by email or text.

Notes:

• The New Bridges UMC is giving away copies of The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem as a gift.
• The Advent Open studio is intentionally designed for a calm, meditative atmosphere. All provided art materials are for participants' use. Fewer than 12 participants create a quiet experience, while up to 22 can be more for a livelier session. The number of participants may vary each time so that the atmosphere can shift accordingly, depending on the attendees.

Learn more, please visit websites:

New Bridges UMC http://newbridgesumc.org/blog/2025/12/02/advent-open-studio 

F.G.MusicArt https://fgmusicart.com/advent-open-studio

FanLuArt https://fanluart.com/advent-open-studio