Burnt Norton Summer Forum: A Sanctuary of Arts & Faith

Published on July 23, 2009 by Christy Tennant

August 25—30, 2009

Apple Hill, Nelson, NH

This year marks the inaugural launch of an endeavor to bring together artists and art-lovers who seek to probe the mysteries of art, faith and existence.  A unique sanctuary of alternative sorts,  BURNT NORTON (fully known as Burnt Norton Abbey)—a recently formed 501(c)3 not-for-profit--is providing opportunity for the artist of WORD, SOUND, MATTER and/or IMAGE to experience creative rejuvenation as well as spiritual connectivity in a place of refuge, community, and inspiration on the grounds of Apple Hill in Nelson, New Hampshire.  
 
Together with renowned guest master artists and philosophers, this symposium-- “Baptism of the Imagination”--will move through a unique journey of five days probing the mysteries of God and grace, while recognizing and nurturing the artist as prophet, "the realist of distances"—a phrase coined by author Flannery O’Connor in which the artist/creator  is responsible for bringing far things near, a bridge between the Eternal and man, ideally with a mind infused and elevated by imaginative readiness to receive and reveal a word for its time. The emphasis is placed on openness to inspiration and grace while experiencing a daily schedule that balances morning lecture, more personal afternoon sharing, and a myriad of evening performances ranging from poetry readings, film screenings and discussion, indie music concerts, dances and more.  There will be opportunity to attend as a full on-site resident as retreat for the full forum, come as a commuter, or as a day-pass participant to allow flexibility for a wide range of schedules and interest attending specific events.

Highlight speakers of the forum include Brooklyn-based visual artist and philosopher Alfonse Borysewicz, whose paintings are primarily oil and wax on linen and shown extensively in the NYC-area.  His personal struggles in the contemporary art world to remain true to his own artistic voice amidst swimming against the trend of avoiding Christian imagery are inspirational, and his voice speaks of a deep inner integrity.  Lenny Smith, another main attraction, is an experienced singer-songwriter with a list of 180 original songs including the hit praise song, "Our God Reigns." Smith started New Jerusalem Music in 1975 which now represents about 25 indie artists on 7 different labels including Sounds Familyre, Asthmatic Kitty, Sounds Are Active, and Kill Rockstars—representing the more well-known indie musician Sufjan Stevens under his labels. A full breakdown of contributing artist/philosophers can be found on the Forum website:  http://www.burntnortonabbey.org  
 
Through a downtown location, annual retreat workshops, and plans for a future community, Burnt Norton Abbey (with a nod to poet T.S. Eliot) was founded by Nelson filmmaker (and former musician) Aaron Wiederspahn, his wife, Byzantine iconographer and painter Keri Wiederspahn, along with singer/songwriter Laina Barakat.  Aaron, executive director of Burnt Norton, recently released his first independent feature film “The Sensation of Sight” starring Oscar-nominated actor David Straithern, and is in pre-production for his next film, “Someplace Like America” scheduled to shoot this fall (http://www.eitherorfilms.com ).

One of the first phases of development for Burnt Norton, was the November opening last year of “The Starving Artist” (http://www.thestarvingartistcollective.com ), a unique multi-discipline art space run out of a downtown Keene storefront dedicated to being a cultural catalyst--serving both the public as well as emerging and established artists through performance, lecture, and gallery. It has successfully proven to be a gathering place for artists to network and connect with one another and the community, an "incubator" of sorts where “the mind and spirit are engaged and nourished while at the same time deepened by the aesthetic, artistic and humanitarian focus on intellectual awareness and integrity, creative pursuit and the dignity of striving to reveal true beauty while engaging with the culture at large”. One of the most successful programs has been the development of a Friday night singer-songwriter series which is drawing national attention by indie singer/song-writers who appreciate the opportunity to connect with a highly committed audience on an intimate level. 

The notion of supporting and cultivating artists of the world who grapple with the purpose of art, the calling of the artist, and the mystery of The Eternal is central to the mission of Burnt Norton Abbey itself. Operating from the opinion that artists in general are often at odds with the ebb and flow of convention, the struggle to sell-out or go home can be overwhelming, and the pressures to hide spirituality can be over-powering. At the BURNT NORTON SUMMER FORUM, inspiration has a unique opportunity to be cultivated, pressed and refined in a “still point of the turning world”---ideally propelling artists collectively and individually towards a heightened sense of purpose, and a renewed knowledge of the necessity of artistic creation, born in truth and echoing of its time.  The Forum welcomes persons of any faith or spiritual journey, but operates from a Judeo-Christian core that hopes to provide a place to experience a renewal of mind, body, spirit and creativity through a pursuit and hunger for the Eternal—inviting the application of the artist/creator as a participant in “stewardship” to culture itself, where the talent and power of creative expression proclaim the glory and grace of the Creator.

For more information and cost, sponsorship, or to register for the August Forum, one can visit the website: : http://www.burntnortonabbey.com; for The Starving Artist located at 10 West Street, Keene, New Hampshire: http://www.thestarvingartistcollective.com .  Either can be reached by e-mail: thestarvingartist@mindspring.com or by phone: 603.352.6900.

FOR ANY MORE PRESS INFORMATION:

PLEASE CONTACT: Aaron Wiederspahn at 603.717.2366; Keri Wiederspahn at 603.847.3222 or Laina Barakat at 609.221.6875