...It was a big undertaking to decide to actually put on an experimental conference focusing on using the Arts to teach Baha’i principles - in less than 8 months time. Some of us actually wanted to wait another year. The pros and cons were….hmmmm, lets see…
Cons: short time frame; unknown if anyone would be interested; couldn’t serve everyone’s needs in one conference; all members of the planning group were and are working or students with very busy schedules; the seed money contributed by group seemed insufficient to start.
Pros: Well first off - the pros – the professional staff at Innisfree Management and Hilton Garden Inn who had our backs at every turn; an unbridled enthusiasm, love and commitment from the particular group of planners - all eager to give it their best; a beautiful location where artists might like to gather; did we say enthusiasm, love and commitment?
Could it really fly? There was a palpable sense of urgency from the beginning that this was a service that needed to be undertaken right now – that the time was ripe – and that we were indeed being lifted on wings. So…the decision was made with courage and faith and a common vision of a conference that would provide time and space for artists - and others committed to the arts as students or patrons - to think deeply, to converse, network, model, and collaborate on ways to use all art forms to spread and consolidate the spiritual and social principles of our beloved Baha’i Faith.
The fledgling Wings to the Spirit arts conference was indeed held in mid April 2007. Feedback and support have since led us to conclude that it succeeded in ways never imagined. This has encouraged the planners to commit to Wings to the Spirit 2008.
Experience and attendee feedback has also led us to make some changes in the coming conference (exciting announcements will follow). What we hope won’t change -unless it increases - is that attendees will again find food for the mind and body, connections and collaborations of the heart and, of course, wings to the spirit.
