On February 12th, just on the outskirts of Escondido, within San Diego County, a workshop transformed into what many are calling an artistic explosion!
Friends from all over Southern California came, even as far away as downtown Los Angeles making more than a 2-hour trek down to the “Smithy”Art Night (titled after the original name of a blacksmith’s workshop). The art space is technically the home of Lion Tree, a wood workshop that produces some of the finest design studio furniture in the region. Jeremy, (the owner of Lion Tree and creator of Smithy Art Night) will tell you that people themselves are like pieces of iron, and it’s here that they are invited to come and sharpen each other. Magic is reintroduced into one’s vocabulary after experiencing the definition through this creative happening.
A couple of days before the evening kicked off, Jeremy and I (Sean) hung an installation of lights from the high workshop ceiling. The tiny wires that held the lights in suspension became transparent and seemed to float like a daydream in the air. I gazed at the soft white lights like a child might stare up at a gathering of fireflies coxing me off to a restful land of wonder. It was a relaxing canopy to create beneath, as if you yourself were stepping into the traces of someone else’s imagination. It was a joy to watch the infectious spread of inspiration travel from person to person, and to see a room full of artistic individuals actually unite, sharing a space simply to create.
After the sharing of food “pot luck” style, there was a point in which everyone bowed their heads in prayer. The room was quiet and warm, safe yet energetic. I listened to our DJ pray to God as if he were pleading before a loving father, dismissing the idea that God was anything like an ancient, stoic man, but rather a loving, caring father who desires intimacy, simplicity, and is willing to listen. He seemed to rejoice behind his turntables bringing heaven and freedom a little closer through a record player and dance beats.
There was a brightness even in the soft lights. It was Jesus who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life.” I love that. The light of Life—we could be brightness in the darkness. After praying, we embarked on a creative journey together into the unknown canvas of community, life, and love.
“Love is the greatest refreshment in life”-Pablo Picasso
“The greatest art won’t happen until people are cared for along the way” -Brady McGowen
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:24
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