2025 Visio Divina Schedule of Events
SATURDAY 9/13/24 - Otter Creek Church West End, 3534 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37205
Registration - Cost: $115, Early Bird Price: $95 ends 8/31/25
*Registration includes lunch, snacks and art materials
9a: OPENING REMARKS/INTRODUCTIONS - Emily Bruff
OPENING KEYNOTE - Dea Jenkins - Keynote description to come
(coffee and snacks provided)
BREAK-OUT SESSIONS (90 minutes)
10:00a-11:30a: SESSION 1
Grace Hamman - Christian Art History- Session description to come
Andrea Zahler - Contemplative Art - Session description to come
Heather Daily - Spiritually Formative Art Making - Session description to come
11:45a: LUNCH PROVIDED + Ciera Reyes-Ton Community Art Experience -Session description to come
1:00p-2:30p : SESSION 2
Kelly Dippolito - Christian Art History- Session description to come
Derek Bruff - Contemplative Art - Session description to come
Beth Affoltar - Spiritually Formative Art Making - Session description to come
2:45p-4:15p: SESSION 3
Kelly Dippolito - Christian Art History- Session description to come
Kacy Maxwell - Contemplative Art - Session description to come
Dea Jenkins - Spiritually Formative Art Making - Session description to come
4:30p KEYNOTE: Dr. Grace Hamman - Spiritual Formation in the Art of the Cross
Can looking at the visual art of the Cross change our hearts and open them up to love for God and neighbor? Late medieval artists, theologians, and writers following Christ in the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries believed this to be true. As a result, they were wildly creative, sometimes even uncomfortably so, in how they painted and visualized Jesus in suffering and his deep love upon the Cross. In imagery of blood and flowers, death and birth, the art of Christ’s passion can spiritually form us as it offers comfort in suffering and invitation into vulnerable, active love.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Dea Jenkins
Dea Jenkins is an award winning interdisciplinary artist originally from Houston, Texas. Dea's art practice spans multiple fields, including visual art, performance, and film. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and is currently developing multiple multimedia projects. As the recipient of three fellowships and multiple artist grants, Dea has fused her art practice with a deep love for research. She has a dual master's degree from Fuller Seminary with an emphasis in Theology and the Arts. In addition to her art practice, Dea is also an entrepreneur, an independent curator, and the Director of Inbreak, a community of artists working at the intersections of art, faith, and social healing. Her love for creating expands beyond her individual practice to include crafting spaces for others to explore their own creative journeys.
Grace Hamman
Dr. Grace Hamman is a writer and independent scholar of late medieval contemplative writing and poetry. She is the author of Jesus through Medieval Eyes: Beholding Christ with the Artists, Mystics, and Theologians of the Middle Ages and the forthcoming Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life. Grace, her husband, and their three squirmy, delightful children live in Colorado. You can read more of her medieval musings at gracehamman.substack.com.
Beth Affolter
Beth Affolter is an artist, mentor, and teacher who enjoys painting and spending time with God. Using watercolor, water-based oils, and acrylics, Beth has created traditional works for many years but now delights in the contemporary side of art. She explores new techniques and loves cocreating with God. Beth holds a BFA in Studio Art, minoring in Graphic Design from UGA and a Master's of Education from Lipscomb University. Her diverse background as a professional artist includes working as an art director in both Europe and the U.S., teaching art in public high schools, engaging in community outreach, and conducting workshops for all ages. She lives in Spring Hill, TN, with her husband, where they own Adventures in Art. www.adventures-in-art.com
Derek Bruff
Derek Bruff is an educator, author, and higher ed consultant, working with faculty and other instructors to develop foundational teaching skills and explore new ideas in teaching. He’s the author of two books on teaching with technology, Intentional Tech and Teaching with Classroom Response Systems, and he produces and hosts the Intentional Teaching podcast. Most of the technology in his work is digital in nature, but he has a healthy interest in analog technology (like teaching through board games) and visual thinking. He combines those interests in his sermon sketchnotes, which combine words and pictures to capture ideas and meaning, and he shares his sketchnotes on Instagram under the handle @doodlinginchurch.
Heather Daily-Smith
Professional artist and furniture designer, art educator, Fund for Teachers Grant Fellow,
Andrea Zahler
Andrea is the Associate Director of Spiritual Development & Engagement for Missions at Lipscomb University. Since graduating with degrees in English and Ministry, she has been a missionary, a campus minister, a storyteller, a student life director, a facilitator, a greeting card seller and an adjunct professor. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education, focusing on the intersection between experiential learning and inclusive behaviors.