We've brainstormed, planned, problem-solved, and prayed (not necessarily in that order!). Now you will bring life, heart, and soul to the 2010 Wings to the Spirit Conference. We look forward to your arrival. Travel Safely. Your room will be waiting for you.

PS. If you have had difficulty in sending the balance of your conference fees, it is important that we hear from you as soon as possible to confirm your spot! Please contact us today at info@wingstothespirit.org.

Schedule

We hope to have the full schedule online in a day or two, but in the meantime here is an overview of what will happen at the conference. Registration on Friday begins at 3:00 pm (lunch is available for early arrivals). Dinner will be at 6:00 pm, and the evening program, presented by Dr. Sue Walker (Poet Laureate of Alabama) begins at 7:30 pm.

On Saturday, we begin a full day at 9:00 am. Our Keynote Speaker is Siamak Hariri, architect of the Baha'i Temple to be built in Chile. After lunch we will have three workshops, repeated (so that you can attend at least 2 of the 3 available). The three choices include a sculpture/carving workshop with Shaughnessy Johnson, a presentation and discussion on the impact of the arts on our culture with Nasif, Von, and Raphael Habeeb-ullah, and a panel presentation and consultation on incorporating the arts into our core activities and in our lives, facilitated by Santosh Kamath. After a break and a dinner treat, the Saturday evening event begins with the music of Sacred Flame, the stories of Bobby Aazami, and movies, movies, movies.

On Sunday the day begins again at 9:00, and our Keynote Speaker is Sasha Rogers, painter of luminous landscapes. Then there is an opportunity to share with you some exciting announcements from the Wings to the Spirit Foundation, and we'll finish with a rousing World Cafe facilitated by Dr. John Woodall. We end with lunch at 12:30 pm, and we have an extended check out at 3:00 pm.

Of course there is the Marketplace, available when sessions are not active, and the Prayer Room will be open throughout, when you need some calm and inspiration.

Note: Oil and all...

You may have heard a thing or two about the oil spill in the Gulf. This, of course, is a tragic and heartbreaking development, and we ask you to join in prayers for as much prevention as possible, for assistance for those who make their living in conjunction with the gulf, bays and waterways, and for the preservation of wildlife in the area. Regardless of what happens on our beautiful beach here in the Pensacola area, Wings will go on.

Conference Highlight: Sasha Rogers

Sasha Rogers has been a professional painter for over 20 years. Her upbringing on the prairies of Canada influenced her vision of vast expanses and endless horizon lines. She writes, "Painters create in an attitude of contemplation and play, this process requires a submission to the intuitive, detachment, and a willingness to allow inspiration to connect with knowledge. My paintings are evocative places reminiscent of experiences in nature, seeking to reflect the pleasure of seeing and the sacredness of place, exploring the outer world with an inner eye."