Hi all!

First and foremost, I’d like to give a big thanks to Emilee for starting this Intern Blog and to Trevor for kickin’ us off with a great first post! This blog is already serving it’s purpose as I learned new information about the exciting work Trevor, Tamura, Kristin and Marilyn are setting in motion for the Counseling Center. Very exciting work!

For those of you who may not know me, let me introduce myself- I am Alexie Hoffman. I stumbled into Emmanuel’s doors just shy of 2 years ago. Josh Phillips, a friend from my undergraduate studies at Seattle Pacific University, asked if I would like to come and hear his dad speak at a church up by the Woodland Park Zoo? I said, “Sure,”  and…. the rest is history. After feeling the warmth, honesty and generosity of this community I simply had to stay. I’d been searching for a “home” church ever since moving to Seattle from Colorado, and had not felt prompted to stay at any other church until Emmanuel. It’s been an honor and a joy getting to know so many of you over the past few years and I only look forward to our adventures ahead.

Speaking of upcoming adventures, I am the new Art Intern! As a firm believer in the idea that we were created to create I am extremely honored to take on this roll at Emmanuel. I will be responsible for upholding the artistic integrity of our church in cultivating curiosity and stimulating inspiration, whether in or outside of our building, services, and community. We are hoping to implement artistic elements in many different ways over the next year and aim to help others feel creative by spurring on an attitude of excitement and involvement around the arts at Emmanuel.

Here are some project I’m currently involved with and excited to make happen:

1. Continuing the Sanctuary Installations.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming to the sanctuary next.

The new installation will be going in soon to compliment our new sermon series on Esther as well as the new season of autumn we’re entering into! If you’re interested in helping, the more helping hands the merrier. Here is a quote that was inspiring to me when we originally landed on the theme of a Tree and the turning of the seasons.

Trees work in mysterious ways. A branch from a tree is a miniature replica of the whole tree. It is not identical but similar in nature to the whole. This fractal structure may actually describe the very fabric of reality, meaning the invisible structure behind all existence has the shape of a tree. In this way the tree goes beyond being a mere symbol of the universe and is actually an echo of how reality is shaped. I see this pattern of the tree everywhere.

-Mark Ryden, from “Speak for the Trees” 2009 Freisen Gallery

2.  Continuing the Artist in Residence program. (Click here  to see the work of our current resident, Moorea Seal)

3. Painting a Mural Map of the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood in the Intern office. The mural of the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood is also going to be painted soon! As many of the best books in the world have maps in them, this new year marks a fresh chapter for Emmanuel. We should have a giant and wonderfully planned map as well. Here are two images from books we found to be inspiring for a styles we hope to mimic.

wildwood map(left) by: Carson Ellis. city map (right) by: Jerry Gretzinger

4. Creating an Art Space to provide a free space for folks to work on projects.

5.  Providing a gallery space in the community center for folks to show us what they’re creating.

6.  Organizing classes and workshops, taught by local artists, in our Community Center.

If you have any ideas of things you’d like to see happen in or outside of the Emmanuel walls please do let me know! Furthermore, if you or someone you know is interested in teaching a class or workshop for the Community Center let me know!

Speaking for the whole Emmanuel team, we’d love to see your ideas come to life.

Peace & blessings.

-alexie
alexieh@emmanuelphinneyridge.org