At a TeenStreet event in the Netherlands, the ArtZone provided a place for teens to try out various art forms and experience how the arts are a part of worship.
“I don’t want to leave here,” the teen girl said, referencing the three-sided tent filled with various art supplies. The teenager had found an environment at the TeenStreet spring break event in the Netherlands where she could experience God uniquely according to how He had made her.
The Spring Break event had the same format as the TeenStreet summer camp, but it took place over a weekend rather than for an entire week. It was held at a Christian campground in the Netherlands, and the campers slept in tents for the weekend.
Inspiro staff members Marta and Cobie* who volunteer with TeenStreet in the Netherlands helped to make this space possible, overseeing and directing the ArtZone at the TeenStreet Spring Break event. The space was open to any campers who wanted to create during their free time, providing the opportunity to try painting with acrylics or watercolours, drawing or making a collage.
"It was fun to see how the teens engaged in the creative process, whether they liked art to begin with or had never picked up an art supply before," Marta said. "Some teens enjoyed trying something new and had meaningful conversations while others discovered they were artistically gifted."
In addition to the ArtZone tent, Marta and Cobie facilitated an art corner during the main sessions where teens could respond creatively during the musical worship and teaching. During the Main Hall morning sessions, paper, pens, pencils and other supplies were provided for the teens to use. During the Throne Room evening sessions, different artistic elements were available for teens to try. One night, they had special canvases for Chinese water calligraphy that were sewn together, allowing the teens to paint something with water that would later evaporate. Another night, plasticine clay allowed teens to try sculpting. In each of these evening opportunities, the ArtZone team tried to offer something that allowed teens to create without feeling the need to do it perfectly.
Art as worship
Marta and Cobie were encouraged to see participants try new things and begin to understand that art can be a part of worship. One evening, Marta felt led to stand near one of the exit doors with three pieces of plasticine clay. As she walked toward the door, three teenage girls were reentering the session. She told them she had three pieces of clay and asked if they would each like one to make something. They took the pieces, later leaving for the bathroom to get tissues for one girl who was weeping in response to the worship.
"Later, when we were cleaning up after the session, I went into the bathroom and found three clay crosses left on the countertop," Marta said. "The girls had meaningfully engaged with the clay to remember why they were there. Another night, we were encouraged when a girl spent some time at the art table and went from there to pray with the prayer team."
Asked about their hope for the ArtZone at TeenStreet events, Cobie said, “What we hope to see is that these teenagers will feel and understand and experience that art has a place in the Kingdom. That it isn’t just a crafty thing, but that it’s part of worship. We also hope the teens who realise they are artistic can see that God has given them this gift, and it does not have to be separate from their worship."
Join us in praying for the seeds planted at the TeenStreet spring break event in the Netherlands. Pray that the teens will continue to learn how to use their creative gifts to worship God. Please pray for young adult volunteers who work with Inspiro, that they will get a feel for the arts in ministry.
*name changed