"Essence", an exhibit of impressionistic photographs, now on exhibit at The Gallery

October 22, 2018

ESSENCE: An Exhibit of Photographic Impressionism

Now on Exhibit at The Gallery

Craig Leland Sparks has long pondered the essence of creativity. As a musician he experiments with different genres of music, bending elements of melody, harmony and rhythm to transform sound. As a photographer, he endeavors to capture the feelings evoked by objects in nature without necessarily depicting a literal representation of the images. A series of Craig’s impressionistic photographs, along with other compelling images he has snapped, are now on display in an exhibit entitled “Essence”, featured in The Gallery at the Presbytery of Baltimore until mid-December.

A musician by profession, Craig serves as Director of Music for Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church and as artistic director for the Bowie Senior Chorale. He teaches voice, piano, and theory/composition; has written and arranged numerous choral works; and, recorded a few original singles. Ten years ago, Craig began experimenting with photography, which inspired him to study its history in an attempt to understand how the medium transcends from documentation to art.

Prominent in his exhibit is a series of four enlarged photographs that explore the feeling of the waves. The Seafoam series captures moments in the life of a wave frozen in time, Craig explained. The images depict the explosive moment that the waves’ impact; the subsequent frenzy of foam released into a gentle froth; and, the pull of water dragging the sand, leaving only a trace of bubbles.

Collectively, the images pull the viewer through the experience of a wave crashing…moment by moment, but the scale allows an opportunity to delve deeper into any frozen moment of the experience, Craig added.

Also included in the exhibit is a collection of photographs reflecting Craig’s interest in Impressionism art. These images explore the manipulation of light, color, motion to depict images. Craig said that he focuses on the color palette of an object, enhancing pastel tones and adjusting the clarity to create the mood. He also uses long exposures, moving the camera during the exposure to paint the seen in brush strokes of light. Many of the images are printed on linen paper to add visual texture to the images.

“My hope is that the images have the same evocative and emotional impact as the work of the Impressionists and that they capture the essence of a moment or a place.” Craig said. “With representational photography having become ubiquitous in our society, is it time for fine art photography to push it’s explorations in new directions like the Impressionists,” he added.

A reception featuring the Craig Spark’s photographs will be held 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, Nov. 11 at the Presbyterys office.

MEETINGS

All meetings held at the Presbytery of Baltimore's Office unless a different location is indicated

Steering Committee will meet 1pm Wednesday, Oct. 24

Committee on Preparation for Ministry will meet 2pm Wednesday, Oct. 24 at Catonsville PC

Commission on Reconciliation will meet at 6:30pm on Wednesday, Oct. 24

______

Read about Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church's efforts to provide Baltimore Kids with a safe place to play year around in October 18 edition of Presbyterians Today.

______

TAKE NOTE/ ACT NOW

Presbytery & Church-Wide

Per Capita: $35.73

Presbytery.......................................$25.93

Synod/Mid-Atlantic.........................$ .85

General Assembly............................$ 8.95

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT MANDATORY REPORTING

An Advisory Paper for the Presbytery of Baltimore

Background Checks

Background checks available through the Presbytery office. Member Churches in the Presbytery of Baltimore are now able to order background checks through Presidium at a much-reduced rate, by ordering them through the Presbytery office. Please contact Wanda Morgan at [email protected] for details; pricing varies according to the type of check which is desired.

ENGLISH VERSION

KOREAN VERSION

Webinar: "' I Was A Stranger and You Welcomed me: US Refugee Policies and the Church's Response"

Monday, Oct. 29 7 pm - 8:15 pm

Join Susan Krehbiel for a webinar discussion about asylum seekers and the Southwest border; refugee resettlement; and, local opportunities to engage your congregation in in the refugee crisis. Click here to learn more . . .

Churches

First & Franklin Spire Series

First & Franklin Presbyterian Church’s SPIRE SERIES kicks off their 2018-2019 music season on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 at 8:00 P.M. with Kurt Nikkanen performing a mostly J.S. Bach solo violin program. Mr. Nikkanen is the Concertmaster of the New York City Ballet Orchestra. Tickets are $20 general/$10 students. Click Kurt Nikkanen for details.

Click here for a subscription.

Discipline with Love

Saturday, Nov. 17 9:30am-11:30am

Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church

Come talk about discipline in the church

Addressing the challenging topic of discipline in the church, this workshop considers the basics for effective,

loving discipline and provides recommendations

for helpful strategies in the classroom and other settings

Click here for details

Pumpkin Patch at Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church

4640 Edmondson Ave.

October 15-31, Noon to Dusk

Come and get your pumpkins and get a taste of the country inside the city! Join us for fun family activities on Saturday October 20 from 2-4 pm and on Sunday October 28 from 4-7 pm (includes a bonfire and marshmallows!)

Granite Presbyterian Church to Host Spring Bus Trip to "Jesus" Sight and Sound Production

Granite Presbyterian Church will host a trip on April 19 to Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA to see a production of "Jesus". The trip is limited to 56 people, first-come; first-served. Children are welcomed. Click here to learn more about tickets to this event.

Community

Webinars

Clergy Finance Workshop

With Martha Reisner of the BOP

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 9am - 1pm Maryland Presbyterian Church

1105 Providence Road, Baltimore

Do you have questions about benefits? Taxes? Retirement? Whether you are new in ministry or approaching retirement, financial issues can be challenging and ever-changing. Martha Reisner, our presbytery's liaison with the Board of Pensions will be offering a morning workshop around these issues. Lunch will be provided and Martha will be available throughout the afternoon to meet with individuals about their own financial planning.

If you plan to attend, RSVP to Debbie Schmidt: [email protected] .

It is widely recognized that in life preparation is key, but how do we prepare ourselves and family members to face major life decisions surrounding the aging process, serious illness, and end-of-life care? Join Revs. Brandon C. Brewer and Scot Crannell for an important seminar entitled , "Starting the Conversation," at Massanetta Springs Oct. 19-20. Click here to learn more and register.