Art and Architecture resources
Information pamphlets
A series of information pamphlets available to download below from the Mission and Discipleship Council's Committee on Art and Architecture. These can also be ordered in hard copy by emailing WorDoc@cofscotland.org.uk.
- Briefing the artist: Commissioning a new stained glass window
- Working with an architect: Getting the most from a partnership
- Church windows: Maintenance, protection, repair and replacement and commissioning
- Church organs: Leading the music of the local church
- Gifts and memorials: 20 commemorative ideas
- Open church: Making access
- Re-ordering church interiors: Space for a living church
- Sacramental vessels: Heritage, value, care and disposal
Communion vessels
A project is underway to record the sacramental vessels held by local churches. You can download the introduction.
Scottish Stained Glass Symposium
A Scottish Stained Glass Symposium has been set up attracting membership from stained glass artists, conservators and historians from all over Scotland. Information about their work and useful contact details area available below.
Art 4 God Project
Art 4 God is a partnership project between the Mission and Discipleship Council and artist Fiona Campbell, which looks at the use of images in the worship and mission of the Church.
In the 21st century advertising has all the best images! Millionsof pounds are poured into creating sublime images to be admired, envied and imitated. Whether it’s designer clothes, amazingfood, the drive-of-your-life or beauty products ‘because you’re worth it’, the images to promote these products are created with the kind of skill and attention which in past years was dedicated to works of art. Magazines and TV bring these images into our homes as a life-style bible. When did the real Bible last accomplish that? From the 13th to the 19th century religious communities and individuals were commissioning works of art for churches, public buildings and affluent homes. Artists used the finest materials to make images inspired by the Bible or the lives of ordinary people who became spiritual role-models. People flocked to see them, to celebrate and affirm their faith, and for those with the means and the determination, pilgrimage routes enabled them to travel the world.
By the 19th century mass re-production by engraving, made images available and affordable. A print of William Holman Hunt’s painting The Saviour of the World (of Christ holding a lantern and knocking at an overgrown door alongside the Bible quotation “Behold I stand at the door and knock”) was bought by thousands of people as it expressed and encouraged Victorian Christians at a time of uncertainty and doubt.So how did secular images come to push Christian ones aside? Why, in this image-laden, image-driven society of 2007, are Christian images – old and new – rarely talked about or used? Where are the Christian images and how can we see and use them? Who’s making new images and why?
This research project, led by Fiona Campbell, is engaged in looking at these issues by speaking to art galleries, artists, worship leaders, clergy and congregations.
Resources
The Art of the Parish is produced as a series of individual folders. The sections relevant to art and architecture are:
- Art of the Parish 4 :Space for worship Roy Wilson - architect and minister
- Art of the Parish 5: Moving Worship How can our senses enhance worship?
- Art of the Parish 6 Seeing is Believing (Fiona Campbell - Artist)
These and other titles are available by mail order for £5 plus £1 postage and packaging from: The Netherbow: Scottish Storytelling Centre,43 to 45 High Street,Edinburgh EH1 1SR, Telephone: 0131 556 9679 Email: reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com
You can download the following information: