Skip to content

Home » Services » Beauty and Art

Beauty and Art

September 24, 2023 Dusty Kemp

The phenomenon of experiencing beauty is considered a remarkable event for all individuals. The initial encounter with a beautiful object, can elicit an emotional and intellectual response that transcends the mundane and transports the individual into a realm of heightened perception. However, despite the “realness” of such experiences, they are difficult to articulate precisely and comprehend entirely.

Even though the emotional impact of art can be difficult to measure and quantify, it remains a subject of great interest. Art has a unique ability to purposely move us into this profound experience, evoking a wide range of emotional responses that can vary from person to person yet be more shared than not. Through the years I have had a growing interest in the relationship between art and the responses it evokes, particularly within the context of the experience of beauty. I wish to share these insights.

Bio for Dusty Kemp: I enjoy many things: teaching, being a Dad, writing poetry, recovery, apples, but most of all I like doing art. I really don’t like doing yard work or eggplants.

Upcoming service

Living Traditions – Artistic and Literary Expression and Indigenous American Worldviews

Heath Vittum Fuller April 28 - 9:30 am

This talk will provide a very brief introduction to some of the artistic and literary traditions of Turtle Island (Indigenous America). Both visual and literary forms of expression have been, and continue to be, important vessels for Indigenous worldviews. Spending time with, and centering, these perspectives is valuable for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is that these are the traditions that have known and interpreted these lands and waters for thousands of years. We will learn a bit about the history of colonization, the attempted genocide of Indigenous peoples, and the clear attempt to destroy traditional lifeways and worldviews. That will be followed by a brief overview of cultural preservation, survivance, and the ongoing living artistic and literary traditions that carry these cultural perspectives into the modern world. A few contemporary artists and writers will be introduced, and resources will be provided for further research and learning.

Heath was born and raised in Vermont but traveled and lived in many places before returning home. Heath holds a BFA in Theatre and Religious Studies from New York University and an MA in Religious Studies and Art History from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. They have academic experience in Religious Studies, Art History, Feminist Art History, Cultural Anthropology, Theatre, and Literature. Heath is committed to the study of meaning making systems and the artistic and material practices and cultures of all peoples. They believe that the study of these elements of culture can help us to understand and care for each other, leading to more profound understanding, empathy, and compassion between individuals, communities, and cultures. Heath is now grateful to live with their amazing family on a rich and vibrant part of the land that sweeps up the side of Mt Mansfield.

Watch Or Listen Recoded Sermons