Address:
The Holy Biscuit
1 Clarence Street
Shieldfield
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1YH

“To envisage human existence without art is to not envisage human existence. Art – so often thought of as a way of getting out of the world is man’s way of acting in the world.” Nicolas Wolterstoff, Theologian

The Holy Biscuit is a new arts space right in the heart of the Shieldfield and Ouseburn arts quarter of Newcastle. The project is a collaborative one between The Methodist Church and The Biscuit Factory, the UK’s biggest commercial art gallery. We curate and promote quality exhibitions, events, workshops and art classes including having at least three exhibitions a year which are explicitly of a ‘Christian’ nature.

The Holy Biscuit aims to be a vibrant Christian community helping to resource and support those interested in the arts in Newcastle, the North East and beyond, from individual artists to churches. Part of this is worked out in the monthly meeting of Christians who gather together, worship God and pray for one another, building a community that will be able to share ideas, to grow and mature as artists.

We meet fortnightly on a Tuesday lunchtime from 12-1.30pm, for a time of fellowship and worship. If you are free or are working in town, please come along. The next lunchtime session is on Tuesday 1 May - come for some warming food and steaming cups of coffee! All are welcome!

For more information, contact Alison Stephens at alison@jesmondmethodistchurch.org.uk

The Holy Biscuit web site is: http://www.theholybiscuit.org/

Alison's Musings ...

One of Alison’s main passions is to explore what it might mean to be a ‘Christian’ artist. One thing that can often hinder people in their art, is what kind of things are ‘appropriate’ for Christian artists. Yet more and more she is becoming aware that art for Christians is about expressing the reality of the world that is around us, and from that expressing, with integrity, the reality of the God who is There – the God who desires to participate and transform every aspect of our lives.

As Christians we are not called to produce works of art that are utopic, unrealistic and full of false hope. As pop-theologian Rob Bell puts it, we are called as Christians to be creators that are “fierce with reality”!

Check out Alison’s blog for more musings! http://theholybiscuit.wordpress.com/

Forthcoming Events and Exhibitions ...

Recreation: Conference and Exhibition - Friday 30 - Saturday 31 March 2012; Followed by the Exhibition, Sunday 1 April - Wednesday 18 April 2012.

Past Events...
Over the last 2 years we’ve had several Christian exhibitions, including the recent 'God in the Gallery' exhibition and conference; ‘Feed Your Spirit’ (with famous Methodist Art Collection); ‘Into the Light’ (a community art exhibition) and Karen Willis solo exhibition which looked at the wonder and vibrancy of light and colour in God’s creation.