Sacred Arts Guild of Alberta

Sacred Arts Guild of Alberta (SAGA)

In response to Pope Benedict XVI’s call to be “custodians of beauty,” the Sacred Arts Guild of Alberta (SAGA) is a community of artists and associates who are interested in the study, preservation, and renewal of traditional methods for creating liturgical and sacred art in the Christian tradition.

Our purpose is:

· To promote increased awareness and appreciation of ways that the beauty of liturgical and sacred art can enhance the meaning and understanding of faith within homes and parish communities.

· To encourage dialogue and learning between the Catholic artistic tradition and other Christian expressions of sacred art, particularly the Eastern iconographic tradition;

· To bring together those who wish to deepen their understanding of the traditions and various forms that Christian art has taken over the centuries;

· To foster the recovery of ancient and traditional methods of art and craft making that can be used to create new, contemporary expressions of the faith.

· To inspire collaboration between artists and artisans in the creation of new works;

· To deepen the understanding of the historical and theological foundations of liturgical and sacred art as a living tradition;

· To encourage the use of original works of liturgical art in homes, parishes, schools, and other public spaces.

· To encourage the professional development of artists, at all levels from beginners to professionals, in improving their skills and knowledge of sacred art.

· To provide resources for parishes and schools regarding the role of sacred art in community life

In order to achieve these goals, the Sacred Arts Guild of Alberta will seek:

· To sponsor activities which promote the professional and personal development of the members of the society;

· To organize occasional workshops and talks for its members and the broader community;

· To hold regular open studios times and seek to establish a shared studio space for its members.

· To sponsor occasional exhibitions of the work of the guild’s members in order to make their work better known within the community;

· To sponsor an annual guild Mass for artists, patrons, and friends of the arts;

· To establish a directory of artists and artisans who are involved in the liturgical and sacred arts in Alberta;

· To collaborate with other organizations that promote sacred art nationally and internationally

· To provide referrals and information resources among members.