In 2019 SAW released a publication. The publication was the outcome of many months of self reflection and careful consideration, within it’s pages we sought to explore and explain what SAW is, what it has been, and what it aims to be as an organisation. There are several essays within it that explore different aspects of our thinking and practise- here is one of them.
The Pastoral Nature of our Work
At Mixing Bowl we aim to treat one another as God’s artworks; to see and celebrate the individuality of each of us. We aim to put people before programmes, recognising that it is in the connections between us and the nurture of the divine spark planted in each of us that God is glorified.
Art can be messy and human life no less so. We hope that in celebrating art, we celebrate every stage of the creative process and each of those stages in our human lives too. We want to be a place where people are free to be real and honest, and where we share one another’s joys and sorrows.
Often the art we share and the tales we tell touch on deep, sometimes painful, sometimes raw experiences. As we facilitate evenings we stay mindful of the ways in which the group at times put their hearts in our hands. We honour that and seek to be gentle. Where exhibitions are likely to stir up difficult feelings for visitors, the team are trained and prepared for those conversations.
Real community can only come about where there is real connection. We hope and strive for Mixing Bowl to be a place we need not wear the masks we are so often put on in life. We want to model God’s invitation – come as you are; you are welcome.
Becky Allon-Smith
