Past exhibits

Young At Art

2022

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

- Picasso

Neither age, skill level, nor training matter in this show. We're all beginners at something - and that's cause for celebration!

The walls of the Gallery were filled by both church and community members. Of 52 entries, 38 artworks are by youth under 18. You'll also see a number of group projects involving at least 300 participants, most of which are kids and youth.

Adults who submitted work were encouraged to collaborate with a child, to portray childlike wonder/creativity, or to try a new medium or style. In this way, they're embracing the spirit of "young at art" too!

“Let the little children come to me... for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Be Still

2022

Most of us recognize the need to slow down and find moments of peace in which we can be refreshed from the chaos of life. Few of us know how to find this rest in the midst of real life struggle, responsibility, and distraction.

Psalm 46:10 is an invitation to all of us to find that place of peace:

“Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

The best part of this invitation is that it’s given in the context of wars, natural disaster, and political uprising. As viewers browsed the walls, they were encouraged that you don’t have to retreat away from the cares of the world. Instead, peace is available right here in the midst of the chaos of our lives.

“Windows & Doors”

2021-2022

Windows & Doors" are all around us: they invite our comings and goings; they frame our perspectives inside and out. Windows and doors are also meaningful symbols, not just architectural features. Keep looking and reading and you'll see creative work about perspectives, opportunities, a fresh start, & hope.

“unity & diversity”

summer-winter 2021

Did you know? Art can be used as an instrument of healing and reconciliation. 

That’s why we’ve been creating art that celebrates the beautiful connections AND beautiful differences between us as people created and dearly loved by God. 

When you visit the gallery, you’ll see colorful art on the walls, a special group installation (made of 134 self portraits!), and even a performing arts showcase (June 10th only). Through this creative work, we’re recognizing where we see (or want to see) unity and/or diversity - in ourselves, our communities, our church, and our world. 

“Connected to the Vine”

January - May 2021

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

- John 15:4-5 | ESV

Jesus is talking about a vital, life-giving, and life-changing connection with Him. Because of what’s going on in our world, country, and our individual lives, we’ve been through a time of  great disconnection. After months of quarantine, boredom, health scares, financial struggles, relationship strains, lack of direction, focus, routine, and purpose… I think it’s safe to say that we’ve become disconnected from ourselves. And if we’re honest, maybe we’re struggling connecting to the Vine, too.

This exhibit invites you to CONNECT TO THE VINE by contemplating works of visual art and creative writing, created in response to Jesus’ words in John 15.

“Skies”

July - December, 2020

The pandemic may be raging, but God is in control. A beautiful look at the skies reminds us how small we are, and also, how big our God is.

“Greater Love”

March 18 – June 28, 2020

Think of the greatest love story ever told. What comes to your mind? We’re exhibiting 2-D and 3-D artworks that explore themes of friendship, sacrifice, kindness, and family, whether based on our own friends or family, people we’ve read about, people who inspire us, people in history, or people in scripture. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13Ever wonder what real love looks like? Substitute your own name into I Corinthians 13.

“I Lift My Eyes Up to the Mountains”

January 19 – March 1, 2020

Our January art exhibit explored metaphorical and literal mountains, through the lens of life and scripture: having faith that moves mountains; personal victories in an area and “climbing” your metaphorical mountain; how God raises the humble and brings down the proud to level the mountains; the feet of good news traveling to the mountains; Jesus praying alone in the mountains; looking to the mountains for help from God, and well as a plethora of mountain imagery created in various media.

“Come Holy Spirit”

Fall 2019

We explored what the Holy Spirit means to us through:worshiphealingthe power and love of God for usbeing a vessel of God’s Spiritwhat it means to be naturally supernatural todaythe acts of God and signs and wonder in the Bibleexploring the roots and history of the Vineyard movementcelebrating God with us in the local church

“Bloom Where You’re Planted” 

Winter/Spring 2016-2017

What could be more invigorating than a colorful array of flowers through the gallery? Our VineArts exhibit during the worst Idaho winter in recent history featured flowers of all kinds, in every medium: stained glass, photography, sculpture, paper, fabric, collage, poetry, drawings, paintings — whether the execution style is ornamental, conceptual, or abstract — expressing ourselves artistically through the glory of the flower! Consider the symbolism of flowers in the resurrection of Christ, or explore the various references to flowers in the Bible, but the flower is truly one of the greatest witnesses for God all by itself. The prerequisite for this show will be the presence of a flower (or more than one) as a central theme in your artwork.

Parable: Tell Me a Story

Nov. 6, 2016 – Jan. 10, 2017

Exploring the parables Jesus told through a variety of media (creative writing, drawing, photography, 3-dimensional art, etc.)

“The chronological order of the parables … is quite a lesson by itself. The first group of parables focuses on the fact that there’s a new story being told, that it’s not to be hidden, and it serves as a foundation for what’s coming next. We then have the very important Parables #12 (sower and four types of soil) and #13 (weeds among good plants). This is followed by a group of “Kingdom of Heaven” parables (growing seed, yeast, valuable pearl, etc.). Now that the foundation has been built, Jesus gets into the behavior parables—how he would have you act as a Christian in different situations as a disciple, worker, or tenant. He then moves into using your talents well, remaining watchful, and finally into judgement. Basically it’s the progression of a Christian life.” –from www.swapmeetdave.com

HeartSong

Summer 2016

How do you best connect with God and with people? What is your primary love language? How do you convey love, gratitude, or emotion? Perhaps your spirit is reached the most profoundly through serving others, through experiencing the 5 senses, through study and devotion, through music or another form of the arts, through ritual and tradition, through being in nature, or through friendships and being in community with others. You’re invited to express the ways you process emotion and imagination, or show us what love or worship means to you. Let your heart shout out to the Lord! What makes you cry? What brings you joy? What emotions describe your relationship with God? 

Sing, dance, write, draw, paint, and more…

What is your HeartSong?

In Black & White

Winter 2014-2015

We are exploring artwork that is only grayscale or black and white.

What if my artwork has any color in it?
…Then it will not be accepted into this particular show. If it doesn’t fit, just wait for a different VineArts exhibit (see back page).

What if my artwork contains a mildly muted color or tone,
such as very dull sepia or dull blue that’s not very noticeable?
…This decision will be at the discretion of the jurors. Color is not to have any noticeable presence in this exhibit.

What should my artist statement be about?
…Ask yourself what significance your piece has for you, possibly regarding:

• expressions of beauty, pain, or emotion
• the quality of light and/or shadow in this piece
•  spiritual symbolism or meaning of this piece
• attributes of texture, shape, line, or negative space in this piece
• poetry, scripture, or a question this piece brings to your mind

Light of the World 

Christmas 2014

A special 4-week introspective exhibit created for our church by the VineArts leaders. This is different from our traditional congregational exhibit. It’s an interim show that’s up for only one month, with the theme of “Light of the World” to explore the incarnation of Christ entering the world. A special section of “Light of the World” featured artwork by Mark Kessler, a longtime VineArts leader who in December passed away after a year-long battle with cancer. Mark always shined his light for Christ within Boise’s downtown art community, and we dedicate this exhibit to our friend and brother.

Seasons 

Fall 2014

Seasons of life; seasons of weather; seasons of age; seasons of change.

“There is a time to dance as surely as there is a time to die. Every man dances—must dance; every man cries in bitterness of soul—must cry, for his sorrow is very great. Is it right to dance? You may as well ask, Is it right to breathe? It is not a question of right or wrong, it is a question of necessity … There is a time to cast away stones,—to uproot, abolish, tear down, and destroy; and there is a time to construct, to build, and to make strong. The great thing is to know the time, and to say the right word at the right moment.” –Joseph Parker, 1882
Are you entering a new season? Do you find it easy or difficult to trust God’s timing for your life? To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… Ecclesiastes chapter 3.