Meet Suzanne Seiler
My mother told me I was born with a pencil and paintbrush in my hand; as art has been my passion since I was a toddler. I was always intrigued to accurately capture the beauty of Nature in my art. My calling remains today to reflect His Creation.
For some time, I didn’t fully grasp my art as a ministry, but just the right thing to do. However, through many years of studying God’s word, I have come to more deeply appreciate just how one glorifies Him through art. The simple answer is that by using my gifts to show His beauty and truth to the world I glorify Him. While references to creation and worship are found on nearly every page of the Bible, some meaningful ones to me are:
(1) “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known” Psalm 19:1-2. And (2) “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” Romans 11:29. Also, (3) “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace” 1 Peter 4:10.
The call of the artist to glorify God is no different than the call of any other Christian to glorify God in their line of work. The aim of glorifying God through art is another facet of a biblical vocation.
With that backdrop, I belong to a volunteer group of artists called “Inspire” that reaches out to the community to share our gift of art through instruction and mentoring. Two years ago, I was approached to be the lead teacher for a group of Special Needs Adults. In a small space in Conroe, we started with seven “Special Friends” students. As word spread, we quickly outgrew that space. We secured the new, spacious Glade Cultural Center as host. Recently we have taken as many as thirty-seven students in our self-funded program.
The students continue to amaze us. On November 30 we hosted an art show displaying their work and seventy-six pieces of art were sold. Our hearts soared as we watched the students’ faces proudly beaming over their accomplishments and the affirmation they received from family, friends and art lovers.
To be a part of their innocent eagerness and joyfulness as they create art is their blessing to us. We are the ones being inspired.
For some time, I didn’t fully grasp my art as a ministry, but just the right thing to do. However, through many years of studying God’s word, I have come to more deeply appreciate just how one glorifies Him through art. The simple answer is that by using my gifts to show His beauty and truth to the world I glorify Him. While references to creation and worship are found on nearly every page of the Bible, some meaningful ones to me are:
(1) “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known” Psalm 19:1-2. And (2) “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” Romans 11:29. Also, (3) “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace” 1 Peter 4:10.
The call of the artist to glorify God is no different than the call of any other Christian to glorify God in their line of work. The aim of glorifying God through art is another facet of a biblical vocation.
With that backdrop, I belong to a volunteer group of artists called “Inspire” that reaches out to the community to share our gift of art through instruction and mentoring. Two years ago, I was approached to be the lead teacher for a group of Special Needs Adults. In a small space in Conroe, we started with seven “Special Friends” students. As word spread, we quickly outgrew that space. We secured the new, spacious Glade Cultural Center as host. Recently we have taken as many as thirty-seven students in our self-funded program.
The students continue to amaze us. On November 30 we hosted an art show displaying their work and seventy-six pieces of art were sold. Our hearts soared as we watched the students’ faces proudly beaming over their accomplishments and the affirmation they received from family, friends and art lovers.
To be a part of their innocent eagerness and joyfulness as they create art is their blessing to us. We are the ones being inspired.