God’s gift of creativity is sacred and mystical while also expressive and personal. The Old Testament book of Genesis declares that God created, and it was very good. Creativity is a sacred gift. Creating honors the sacred in our world. God also gave us the gift of community and many instructions on how to live and work together, and love, support, and encourage one another, for the good of all.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church celebrates these gifts through ArtsFest – Creating Community, a festival of music and visual arts, combined with educational experiences. Beginning June 18 and concluding July 30, ArtsFest includes an art exhibit, concerts, a children’s arts camp, workshops in painting, quilling, yarn art, and liturgical dance, and a community event.

Whether you express your gift of creativity through hands-on experiences or through listening and appreciation, we hope that ArtsFest is a creative blessing to you and the Cedar Rapids community!  Join us in celebrating God’s gifts of creativity and community!

Art Workshop 3: Yarn Painting

• Saturday, July 29, 10:00 am, led by Lana Lodge
• Create a "painting" to take home using yarn on canvas.
• St. Paul’s UMC, Art Space, third floor
• Cost: $5
• Register for Yarn Painting Workshop

Art in the Park: Interactive Art

• Sunday, July 30, 12:00 pm
• On this day there will be celebration through performances and demonstrations, activities, and booths with art for sale showcasing artists and their art form. Food, fun, and community building are part of the day, too!
• Event by Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association
• Redmond Park (1545 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids)

Art Exhibit: Textile Art by Don Dixson

• Exhibit continues through Sunday, July 30
• St. Paul’s UMC, Upper Room Gallery, third floor
• Free

Concert: Stories Performed by Brent Mead

• Saturday, July 8, 7:00 pm
• The trombone recital Stories brings a concert experience by hearing a story of loss, grief, struggle, hope, and victory that is inspiring and touching.
• St. Paul’s UMC, Sanctuary, second floor
• Freewill Offering

Art Workshop 2: Quilling

• Saturday, July 15, 9:30 am, led by Rhoda Preston
• Ancient art of rolling, shaping, and gluing long paper strips into decorative designs.
• St. Paul’s UMC, Art Space, third floor
• Cost: $10
• Ages 10 and up
• Register for Quilling Workshop

Dance: Liturgical Dance Workshop

• Saturday, July 22, 1:00 pm, led by Lana Lodge and Jane Nesmith
• Learn about liturgical dance, when to use it, how to choreograph one, and learn a short dance. Dress for light movement.
• St. Paul’s UMC, Gathering Space, second floor
• Free
• Register for Liturgical Dance Workshop

Children's Art Camp

• Monday, July 24-Thursday, July 27, 9:15 am-3:00 pm
• Enjoy a week of exploring the arts through painting, crafts, music and song!
• St. Paul’s UMC, Children's Parlor, third floor
• Cost: $150 for the week includes meals
• 4 years old (potty-trained) - 12 years old
• Register by contacting Julie Hanlin