Annual Report 2024-2025 - Flipbook - Page 18
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE ARTS
BETH ANN EDWARDS
The Director of Creative Arts works closely with the Director
of Music and Arts to facilitate non-music arts events and small
groups, including the following:We have an amazing team of
dedicated, professional music staff who make the activities of this
department possible, including:
Plymouth Gallery
The Plymouth Gallery invites primarily local artists to exhibit in
the Gallery for about eight weeks. Gallery committee members
meet to install each exhibit, and two separate meeting times
were scheduled in 2024. Gallery committee members include:
Rick Miller, Anita Garrison, Arthur Neis, Barbi Hamor, Craig
Bittick, Dave Kidder, Debbie Synhorst, Dee Martin, Diane Krell,
Diane Reid, Glenda Kernan, Jane Hudson, John Schultz, Marcia
Lippold, Mark Gruber, Mickey Carlson, and Nick Zhan.
The Plymouth Gallery hosted the following exhibits in 2024-25:
• Gene Robinson, Painting, woodburning, and mixed media,
Nov. 11, 2023 – Feb. 9, 2024
• Courtney Townsend, Sheep Photography, Feb. 10 – April 6
• A 140% reproduction of Grunewold’s Isenheim Altarpiece
was installed in Common Grounds during the season of Lent.
• Mark Gruber, Hands Photography, April 6 – May 18
• David Yurdin, Paintings, May 18 – July 27
• Mary Muller, Floral Paintings, July 27 – Sept. 28
• Steven Janson, Paintings, Sept. 28 – Nov. 23
• “O Antiphons” collaborative exhibit, Nov. 23 – Jan. 18.
This exhibit included 15 invited artists, all creating works
based on the ancient text found in the hymn “O Come, O
Come, Emmanuel.” An artist reception was held on Dec. 20,
preceding the Plymouth Brass Christmas concert.
• “Say Their Names” quilts, Toni Corbett, Jan. 18 – Mar. 29
• “Strong Women” paintings, Paula Kerman, Mar. 29 – May 17
Plymouth Players Theatrical Group
This gathering of actors, led by Mark Gruber, rehearse and
present radio player-style performances throughout the year. The
group shared the following dramatic presentations in 2024:
• March 23: Isenheim Speaks (in collaboration with the
Isenheim Altarpiece installation).
• June 14: And Then There Were Some, written by Cynthia
Mercati.
• Dec. 7 and 20: Scrooge, A Ghost Story
• January 25, 2025, at Plymouth and January 26, 2025, at
Corinthian Baptist Church: Amahl and the Night Visitors,
a collaborative presentation with Corinthian Baptist Church.
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Artist Circle
Led by TiM Luke Stringer, this new small group meets once
each month to share and discuss personal works of art, as well
as reflect on the creative process. Each meeting allows time for
attendees to work on personal projects.
Chancel Arts Committee
The Chancel Arts Committee meets as needed to create and
install seasonal hangings in the Sanctuary and in Waveland Hall.
This year, two new sets of hangings were designed and created
by the Committee. The Committee assists with decorating
the Sanctuary, including flower display, for Christmas, Easter,
and other liturgical weeks. Chancel Arts committee members
include: Barb Miller, leader; Barbi Hamor, Bonnie Green, Carol
Sieck, Carol Tetzlaff, Dixie Hoekman, Jan Parkinson, Jan Van
Wyk, Jean Stuit, Julie Noland, Kathleen Adams, Linda Bryant,
Mary Crowley, Mary Ann Beard, and Rod Van Wyk.
Christmas Committee
The Christmas Committee (and friends), in collaboration with the
Chancel Arts Guild, assembled and installed Christmas trees and
decorations throughout the building on Sunday, Nov. 24, after the
11am worship service. The same team took down the decorations
on Jan. 6, 2025, and placed them in storage until Nov. 2025.
Bulletin Covers
Each week, based on scripture, church year calendars, preaching
series, and other worship-related events, I choose a cover for the
Saturday and Sunday worship bulletins.
Marketing and Publicity
In addition to facilitating Creative Arts, my responsibilities include
assisting with marketing, promotion, and publicity for all arts events
at Plymouth, including music. I work closely with the Director of
Music and Arts, as well as the Communications Team, to ensure
events are appropriately publicized internally and externally. In
addition to internal communications (website, weekly news email,
weekly bulletin), we advertise on Facebook, Iowa Public Radio, the
Willis Broadway Series program book, and local on-line calendars.
In Summary
My responsibilities at Plymouth are rewarding and inspiring. The
pastoral and support staff, as well as congregation members and
friends, are encouraging and supportive, and their love for art is
evident. Creativity is a conduit to building our community and our
life in faith, and Plymouth Church is open to creative expression.
