ILLUMINArt
Welcome to IlluminART, our Creative Arts Page
We believe that the arts inspire, provoke thought, awaken feelings, and lift spirits. Artistic expression helps us transcend politics, dogma and fear. It is one of the best tools we have to nurture truth, justice, peace, equality, healing, and hope. In this moment of uncertainty, turmoil, and pain, the arts offer an essential pathway toward unity and restoration.
We invite you to explore the artwork and messages below, and to reflect on how they speak to your own experience and hopes. These are personal expressions from various artists, some professional, some not. They are offered here to inspire, inform, and encourage us all to stay grounded in our humanity and our shared aspirations.
There are many ways to express your desire to Shine Your Light, and we invite you to send us photos of your original work expressing our SHINE YOUR LIGHT theme through paintings, sculpture, weaving, photography, embroidery, floral arranging, musical composition…we are sure to have left something out! If you have something to share, use the CONTACT page on this website to let us know. Someone will get back in touch with you as soon as possible to let you know where to send photos/videos of your work. We can’t post everything you send, so please pick your favorites, and send them along with a brief description to us.
Let your Art Illuminate our world!
If you are an artist or simply enjoy creative expression, and would like to submit your art, music, or writing for consideration to be added to this page, please email us through the CONTACT US page. We welcome your inspiration and creativity!
Victoria Chall
We have been inspired by the creative ways some of our participants, such as Victoria Chall* of North Carolina, have responded to this website. Victoria shared the beautiful watercolor collage, seen here.
*Victoria Chall is a play therapist and artist who resides near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Using watercolor on French handmade paper and oil pastels, she created this piece to illustrate her candle, and her spirit in meditation, SHINING in the darkness.
Victoria was a Big Band and Jazz Vocalist for 30 years, a School Counselor, University Instructor, Play Therapist then an Interfaith Hospital Chaplain. Cancer prevented her ability to have children, yet she considers the world her child: “I walk in extreme gratitude for each day gifted to bring light to others.”
Diane Ponder
Sunshine Fruits
A digital drawing by Diane Ponder
Diane Ponder studied Art History, Anthropology and Linguistics as an undergraduate at the University of Chicago, earning a Visual Arts certificate through the University of Chicago Graham School. Her technique has developed over many years of experience and study of contemporary art and art history, linguistics, logic, science, anatomy and anthropology. Her art has been shown in many galleries and institutions in Chicago, New York City and worldwide. She has held performances in many iconic buildings, such as the Cultural Center of Chicago and the Cheney mansion, and her work is in many private collections.
Thank you for allowing the Sun to SHINE through your artwork, Diane! May the fruit of our meditation and prayers reflect Light throughout our country and the world.
Karen Rollins
DOODLES OF LIGHT
“Hope grew steady and soothing: I feel raised”
Karen Rollins, from Wailuku, Maui, is an Occupational Therapist for the Behavioral Unit at Maui Memorial Medical Center. She is also a part-time educator at ‘Iao Intermediate School, helping with the English Language Learners (ELL) program.
“I exist; I face these days.”
Besides her exceptional gifts with doodling, Karen’s varied interests and talents include taking photographs on her daily walks, crafting, and hula. She shares that her purpose in life “is to hopefully try and be a Light for others.”
“I see the Light of wonder.”
Thank you for these Doodles of Light, Karen, and for being Light to countless numbers of students, patients, friends, and everyone you meet on your walk through Life.
Scott Landis
Maui Sunsets Light Up the Sky
Photographs by Scott Landis
Scott Landis is interim pastor for Keawala’i Congregational Church on the Island of Maui. He is also an avid swimmer and yoga practitioner, and takes time to enjoy the beauty of nature during times of solitude and meditation.
Derick Sebastian
What’s Going On?
Maui musician, Derick Sebastian, has given us permission to post this original lyric video on our website. Its combination of music and rap underscores his response to our world’s current condition. He writes: “What a year 2020 has been thus far, and who would’ve ever imagined our world being what it is today. I have to admit, my struggles have been real in all aspects, and no matter what angle I look at our world’s situation…it always leads me back to asking one specific question, ‘What’s going on?’ I’ve had countless sleepless nights, worrying and fighting my way to finding the light in these dark moments, and at times it’s confusing to know who or what to believe. As always, I turn to my ritual morning journaling where I can be vulnerable and release the weight and worries of my heart and mind. This led me to writing a song that is completely out of my comfort circle, yet expresses my questions, frustrations and honest feelings during these times. With the support of loved ones, I have been encouraged to move forward and share it… With our world’s current situation, I feel a sense of urgency to share this song, so I decided to put together a Lyric Video and release this single on YouTube. This is my heart’s cry…and if this song connects with you as well, I humbly ask you to share and spread the love that our world needs. Much Love and Blessings.
Karen Nelson
MANTA RAYS OF LIGHT
Karen Nelson spent most of her life in northern California – except for a brief, 2-years stint in the Washington D.C. area while her husband was in the Navy. They have been married for 52 years and have two grown daughters and three granddaughters. They moved to Maui in 2007, where Karen teaches mathematics part time at University of Hawaii, Maui Campus. She shares with us:
I have been scuba diving for over 28 years. I love the freedom that it gives me to get “up close and personal” to the underwater world. When I got my first underwater camera, my diving took on a new dimension. I love taking pictures of the underwater world and particularly of the faces of the creatures – they can be so expressive.
Karen adds: Manta rays are particularly fun to photograph – they are so graceful, yet so powerful. Just try to chase one!! During feeding, they tend to circle around, often doing flips in the water. During this pandemic, diving has been my saving grace – all is well under the ocean, life goes on as before. I get a few hours of “normal” each week while I am under the water, breathing in and breathing out, and enjoying the life that is around me.
Taka Harada
One of God’s Many Miracles
The picture of these beautiful orchids was submitted by their cultivator, Takayuki Harada. He described their beauty with these words:
One of God’s many miracles when he shines his light on the world.
In addition to his mastery of gardening and fishing, Taka is a published poet, known for his wise insights, gentle voice and ʻukulele strumming. Even more importantly, he receives kudos for keeping his wife, Ellen Caringer, alive and healthy because of his ability to cook. He retired as the owner of his own insurance company and has served as Church Moderator for Keawalaʻi Congregational Church on the island of Maui. He has three daughters, several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren keeping him on his toes!
Kyle Pederson
Adding this music video to our website is another privilege for us. This creative and very worshipful experience comes to us with permission from the arranger, Kyle Pederson, and his copyright agency, ECS Publishing. You will recognize the tune as the familiar African spiritual, Kumbayah — but the voices and imagery add a whole new dimension which has touched us deeply in a unique manner, especially during this election season. We are so greatly indebted to all the musicians who have been so generously contributing their talents to this website!
Kyle Pederson (b. 1971) is a Minneapolis-based composer, lyricist, pianist, and educator. Kyle was awarded the ACDA Genesis Prize in 2020 and the American Prize in Choral Composition in 2019. His work has been commissioned, premiered, and recorded by All State/Honors choirs, and youth, church, college, and professional choirs around the world. Kyle enjoys working at the intersection of the sacred and secular, and his lyrics and music invite the choir and audience to be agents of hope, grace, and compassion in the world.