Mission
Art Camp seeks to transform the lives and practices of artists of a wide variety of media by creating intentional community through Quaker practice and the magic of summer camp. Together, we seek to live out the question central to Art Camp: how are our spiritual and creative practices intertwined? Art Camp under the care of Friends Camp, a Quaker summer camp belonging to New England Yearly Meeting of Friends in South China, Maine.
Why Art Camp?
|
Art Camp was originally organized by a small group of friends and artists who met working at Friends Camp, who found this experience of transformational community built on Quaker values to be greatly influential to their art practices, and were inspired to share this experience with other artists. Participating artists have found invaluable support from a community of their own making, earning validation and strength to keep making art even after Art Camp has ended. In a world that operates on dehumanization and capital, it can be difficult to see a hopeful alternative, and as a community of artists we hold responsibility for creating this alternative together.
|
"Wonderful people of different ages and backgrounds who weren't afraid to make friends. I learned a lot of new techniques, and felt much more at home with my faith. Also, the quiet was a big part of the experience for me." |
Values
Art Camp is a community that uses Quaker values but does not require its participants to be Quaker or become Quaker, and respects the individual beliefs of all participants. Quakerism is a religion and community of spiritual seekers that doesn't have a formal creed, but believes that there is goodness (God, Light, etc) inherent in every person. Quakers also practice the handy acronym SPICES, which stand for Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. Quaker process includes silent worship, consensus-based decision-making, and collective leadership, and considers social justice an integral part of spiritual work.
Art Camp is a place where all participants are expected to be working towards a more just world.
Art Camp is a place where all participants are expected to be working towards a more just world.
