Ann Williams

Well, it really is amazing how quickly time flies. It makes me stop and reflect on the past months and take into consideration that which I have lived for. I believe I have been living for the things that matter for eternity. Let me explain. This past Winter, I met a couple of gals who have a vision for a new art center for Lincoln. And was humbled to be asked to give some guidance in the area of visual art. To make a long story short, I was asked to create a signature piece for a private fund raising event coming on Sept. 17th. You can view the image in the Mosaic section of the website. I began working on the piece back in April and finished the second week of August. It was an amazing project to work on and awesome to watch God provide time and materials for this. The communion with Him was so great and i learned so much through the process.

But you see that wasn't all that was going on in life since then. Also in April, I was asked to take over for the visual arts ministry at Berean. I began a journey of seeking God for the direction we should head and began planning the year with the Visual Arts team. We decided to name ourselves Visual Voice and set up our mission statement and events for the year. It was a HUGE learning curve to figure out the proper communication channels at the church, but I have been shown a wealth of grace and I love the people I work with that are staff. In July, four artists shared art live on stage -- in a few words -- It was AWESOME! GOd moved in the hearts of people and WOW He did amazing things. God just keeps opening doors and I feel like I just hang on for the ride on this journey.

God has been so faithful to provide time for "office" work, for babysitters for meetings, and for time to spend with the boys this summer. I'm happy now that the sculpture is complete and I can be back in the studio painting again. As the boys head back to school this month and I return to the studio a door opened for me to show my work in a solo show at a friend's new gallery called the Grand Manse. It is located in the Grand Manse building which sits on P street between 9th and 10th streets here in Lincoln. I will participate in the First Friday Art walks on September 3rd with a reception at the gallery from 6-9 pm.

I also have a show going up at the 84th street Scooters Coffee Shop starting in October and running through the holiday season until January 2, 2011.

So there is alot going on, but as I tell my husband -- it keeps me out of trouble and out of the melancholy moods that often plaque an artist.

I don't know what God has for all these opportunities, but I know that He is stretching me to grow in my faith, grow as an artist, as a person, and to learn new things about business and people as I step out more into the community in which I live. I just hold tight to my Savior's hand as He leads the way and I pray that I am faithful to His call. So I hope that I have lived with purpose these past months as i take the steps God puts before me. To Him be the Glory.