faith |fāTH|
noun
1 complete trust or confidence in someone or something: this restores one’s faith in politicians.
2 strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.
art 1 |ärt|
noun
1 the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power: the art of the Renaissance | great art is concerned with moral imperfections | she studied art in Paris.
2 (the arts) the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance: the visual arts | [ in sing. ] : the art of photography.
life |līf|
noun (pl. lives |līvz| )
1 the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death: the origins of life.
• living things and their activity: some sort of life existed on Mars | lower forms of life | the ice-cream vendors were the only signs of life.
• [ with adj. or noun modifier ] a particular type or aspect of people’s existence: an experienced teacher will help you settle into school life | revelations about his private life | his father decided to start a new life in California.
• vitality, vigor, or energy: she was beautiful and full of life.
Art may reflect life, but a life well-lived is also a work of art. The concepts of faith, art, and life may appear distinct, but an overview of the history of civilization shows us that the three are interconnected. For example, art has been a means of self expression that depicts matters of both life and faith. As long as there has been evidence of civilization there has also been evidence of humans creating art. The church has a long history of supporting artists of various kinds, and art has been a means of expressing faith. An artist’s faith can also inspire creativity as well as provide a foundation for living.
For the average individual this interconnectedness means that we can learn more about our faith through exploring art, and understanding this connection gives us better insight into our own lives. This is what Faith, Art, and Life is about.