...to foster community and inspirit purpose in the creative efforts of Trinity's artists.
3.23.2010
Update: Trinity Arts Book
As Easter approaches, we thought it was time for an update on the Trinity Arts book project. On behalf of Jeff and myself, a hearty thank you to everyone who answered our call for submissions. We were happy and honored to review your work. Unfortunately, we still don't have enough submissions to comprise a book. So we're moving to Plan B--an online arts journal featuring writing, visual art, music and film. Going forward, we'll continue to release calls for submissions according to chosen themes and the liturgical calendar. We hope that this new site will provide an opportunity for ongoing dialog in our community, through experiencing each other's work. Eventually, we believe this will give way to producing a book representative of the gifted people who call Trinity home (and friends of our congregation). More to come.
2.25.2010
Screenin' & A Sangin'

“Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp” is the first feature documentary about Sacred Harp singing, a haunting form of a cappella, shape note hymn singing with deep roots in the American south. Shape note singing has survived over 200 years tucked away from notice in the rural deep south, where in old country churches, singers break open “The Sacred Harp,” a 160 year old shape note hymnal which has preserved these songs which are some of the oldest in America.
The film offers a glimpse into the lives of this 'Lost Tonal Tribe' whose history is a story of both rebellion and tradition. The filmmakers, Matt and Erica Hinton spent seven years documenting this yet largely unknown art form.
The documentary has aired on PBS and has been featured on NPR, in TIME magazine, Pitchfork.com, NY Times, among others. The recently released original soundtrack includes traditional Sacred Harp singing as recorded in rural Georgia and Alabama, as well as the first ever collection of popular music adaptations of Sacred Harp songs, featuring artists such as John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Murray Hammond (Old 97’s), Elvis Perkins, Richard Buckner, and Doc Watson, Woven Hand, Tenement Halls and others.
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Praise for "Awake, My Soul":
"When you see "Awake, My Soul", you will remember it."
--No Depression
“‘Awake, My Soul‘ features some of the most raucous group vocals that have been recorded.”
-Pitchfork.com
”‘Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp‘ is a fascinating history of a raw, overwhelming, unconventional form of Southern hymn singing.”
-The Oregonian
"These are no ordinary church choirs. The music is rebellious in its disregard for musical convention, punk in its inclusivity, and powerful in a way that only music performed with true passion can be...”
-KQED, San Francisco, CA
"In the Hinton's fine documentary: You get the feel of the people and the wonderful sound of the music, and thankfully without any condescension. As an introduction to Sacred Harp, it's as amazing as the music itself."
-Birmingham Weekly
On the Soundtrack:
"Revelatory and exultant, dense with harmonic ideas and often overwhelming even on CD" [score: 8.8]
-Pitchfork.com
“An outstanding primer for anyone dipping into the genre...” [****]
-SPIN
"The first time I heard Sacred Harp music, I was f***ing floored. This was like no staid church music I had ever encountered before! This was an alien/outsider sound, completely bucking traditional notions of dynamics and choral techniques for a rousing, rough-hewn cacophony that is as ecstatic and strong as it is tremendously sad...”
-Ink 19
“The songs turn the whole congregation into a choir, proclaiming their devotion in forthright, wide-open, vibrato-free chords with drones and inner counterpoint that hark back to Renaissance music...Brilliant...”
-Jon Pareles, NY Times
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For more information, visit www.awakemysoul.com
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHUfHNEZDPc
Contact:
Matt Hinton info@awakemysoul.com | 404.918.4914
Jeff Guy www.trinityanglicanmission.org | 404.803.4316
Location:
Trinity Anglican Mission
2270 Defoor Hills Rd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
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The 49th Annual Georgia State Sacred Harp Singing Convention will take place Saturday, March 27 & Sunday, the 28th, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. both days, at Sweetwater Chapel 1000 Pleasant Hill Road Lawrenceville, Georgia 30044-3330
Traditional “dinner on the grounds” at noon-- please bring a covered dish to share. This is a free event. All are welcome, no experience necessary.
For more info concerning the singing: http://www.atlantasacredharp.org/docs/2010GaStateSHConvFlyer.pdf
Contact: John Plunkett bildad12@hotmail.com | 678.763.7292
2.02.2010
Call for Submissions: Trinity Arts to Publish Book
All submitted works should fit the chosen theme: Resurrection, New Life.
Submissions Deadline: March 1, 2010
Volunteer Needs
- Graphic/layout design
- Editorial/Proofreading
- Printing Coordination
- Administrative/Financial
Submission Guidelines
All submissions will be considered for publication, but not all will be chosen. Only previously unpublished works will be considered.
Visual Arts
- Up to 10 photographs or 10 hi-res images of paintings, sculptures, installations, textiles, woodcuts, etc. (300 dpi, embed color profile).
- Artist bio and statement about submitted works.
Writing
- Poetry: One to 5 poems, single or double-spaced.
- Creative Non-Fiction: One double-spaced personal essay reflecting upon the chosen theme.
- Fiction: One short story. Novel excerpts will not be considered.
*Submissions will be accepted upon the artist or writer’s agreement to the following:
- No monetary compensation. The artist/writer agrees to donate the use of his or her work in exchange for publication and complimentary copies of the finished book.
- All proceeds will go to further the growth and maintenance of the Trinity Arts ministry.
- The artist/writer allows Trinity the one-time rights to publish the submitted work(s), after which the copyright returns to the creator of the work(s).
1.20.2010
The Importance of Community
For most of us as artists, we have the natural tendency to isolate ourselves. This isn't a surprise to many of us, we are aware of this pattern. In some respects isolation can be good, allowing space for contemplation, reflection, and creation, however, no matter how much we neglect it, there is just as big of a need to be in community with other artists.
I don't want to speak for anyone else, but if you are anything like me it can become all too easy to get distracted from our chosen mediums of art, in my case writing, with business that can so often plague us these days. If I were to remain in my artistic isolation, to let neglect pile up along side my writing, my chances of revisiting unfinished stories and dusting off abandoned poems gradually decrease. If I dwell only in the four walls I have built around myself and my writing, and not venture out into the beautiful and diverse world of the other artists around me, I grow discouraged, frustrated, and uninspired.
Once a month (reasonable for even the most isolated artist) a group of artists of various disciplines from Trinity gather at Inman Perk with the simple purpose of being in community with other artists. There is no agenda, no discussion questions, just opportunity to get to know fellow artists at Trinity, to talk about what we are working on and bounce ideas off other artists, and to encourage one another. Through these evenings accountability is forged, connections are made, collaborations begin, encouragement is received, inspiration is renewed.
1.08.2010
Upcoming Months: Remember Field Trips?
Remember being a kid and the excitement of a field trip. You got to be away from school halls, books and paper. Instead, you got to engage something through first-hand observation or experience.