SPECIAL: Gathering & Community for Artists with Stephen Roach
Stephen Roach is the creative mind behind a pocket of talented artists — The Breath and The Clay creative arts gathering. He is also the host of the Makers & Mystics podcast, a resource for the art-driven, spiritually adventurous seekers of truth and lovers of life.
As Stephen prepares for the 2024 The Breath and The Clay creative arts gathering in North Carolina on March 22-24, I had the opportunity to sit down and hear more about his heart for artists and the gathering of creatives. Be.Make.Do. is happy to be one of many sponsors at this year’s event.
A Special Conversation with Stephen Roach
I believe God calling artists to serve in a more intentional and visible way in the larger culture. And I find it so interesting how many pockets of artists there are out there who aren’t aware of each other. It is always such a privilege when I can help bridge that gap and introduce creatives I know as together we answer God’s call.
Choosing Community Over Isolation
Stephen has hosted similar gatherings for years, but this one feels different. I had the chance to ask him why. He said this upcoming gathering is special because of the trauma many artists and society as a whole have faced over the past years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This will be a time of healing and restoration.
As an introvert, I enjoy the quiet of time alone, but Stephen really challenged me to think deeper about the difference between solitude and isolation.
“Solitude is life-giving. It's nurturing to the creative spirit. Solitude is where innovative ideas are born. It's where we can find the freedom to flesh out ideas and experiment with things. So, solitude is necessary for flourishing in the creative life, but isolation is detrimental. Isolation is damaging because isolation pulls you away from community, whereas solitude is feeding you up for community.” — Stephen
My network of relationships during these past few years has been so intentional given the circumstances. However, at this point, I'm really longing to see those people. I want to hug them, and I want the atmosphere of being together. This gathering of creatives will be that for so many.
Architects of Hope in a Desperate World
Stephen calls artists “architects of hope” for the next generation. I love that phrase. But Stephen doesn’t mean artists of faith only have to create things that are positive. Artists uniquely wrestle with darker parts of the human experience while creating hope-filled art.
“When I talk about the artist of faith being the architect of hope for our generation, what I mean is that the framework in which we deal with everything, whether it is the darker parts of humanity, or the joy or love or fear or anger or any of these emotions or any of these experiences, hope is the framework. Hope has the final word.” — Stephen
Hope-infused art created by architects of hope is what can change culture. I truly believe it.
I’m really excited for the The Breath and The Clay gathering in just a few weeks. Being in the same room as other creatives and artists fills me up in ways virtual gatherings cannot.
Stephen Roach is the founder of The Breath and The Clay creative arts organization and host of the Makers & Mystics podcast. He is a creative coach, author and multi-instrumentalist with a background in ethnomusicology. His musical project, Songs of Water, composes for film and television including the award-winning Australian animated short, Teacups. He has contributed to the works of recording artists Ricky Skaggs, Josh Garrels, Jonathan and Melissa Helser, John Mark McMillan and many others. Stephen lives in North Carolina with his wife Sarah and children Evangelyn Belle and Isaac Brighton.
Be.Make.Do. is a soul|makers podcast where we talk about what it takes to pursue your calling as a culture maker with spiritual wholeness and creative freedom. Host Lisa Smith shares her unique perspective gained from over 20 years of mentoring and ministering to artists.
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