President's Blog: From the Heart

By Eric F. Spina

Ashley Andrews and Matt Khalil are not artists, and both readily told me that they knew little about Buddhism and Judaism before trying their hand at building a table representing both faith traditions.

The black-on-one-side, white-on-the-other table is part of their final project for “The Light That Sustains Us: Exploring Art and Faith,” created and taught by theologian Dr. Sandra Yocum and art educator Dr. R. Darden Bradshaw. This innovative Common Academic Program (CAP) course is deepening our students’ understanding of the bridges between various faith traditions through making art. Throughout the semester, students created visual responses as they learned about Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

“Our table is split into two sides,” Ashley, a health science major, told me as I wandered around the Dayton Arcade studio for a sneak preview of the works-in-progress. “On one side, the Shema, the daily prayer recited by members of the Jewish faith, is written. We’re also including books, jewelry, and dishes that make up a traditional Jewish holiday table setting. On the other side of the table, seven water-offering bowls, flowers, a food-offering bowl, and an image of Buddha can be seen. These objects are commonly included in a traditional at-home altar for Buddhism and depict the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths — a set of rules that Buddhists follow throughout their daily lives.”

Ashley and Matt said their table had a “yin and yang” feel to it, but it also expressed a deeper truth. “While these are very different religious practices, Jews and Buddhists can sit at the same table,” Ashley said.

As I viewed the artwork taking form across the classroom, students shared their thought process in creating their artifacts, many out of recycled materials. Mind you, these are largely non-art majors predominantly from the Christian faith who have stepped outside their comfort zone to take this class. They had clearly taken to heart one of the goals from the syllabus: “Muster your courage to ask questions, not only of the professor but from one another, from the basic to the difficult, that further the learning process in the class.”

I stopped to chat with Regan Holkema and Cayley King, who were using calligraphy to write the Arab word for Allah and the Hebrew word for God as well as religious symbols such as the Star of David, to create their own illuminated manuscripts. “Our project shows the importance of the living word in the faith traditions of Judaism and Islam,” said Regan, a fine arts major.

In an ambitious effort, Alanna Reckley and Morgan Bevins had drawn elaborate trees out of a pair of hands on two canvases, one representing Islam and the other Buddhism. “As the tree sprouts from the hands in opposite directions, it shows how the religions start at some of the same principles and are alike in a way, but grow apart into complete opposites when it comes to rituals, routines, and what they truly believe,” said Alanna, a marketing major.

The students’ creativity and deeper understanding of religious imagery and symbolism shone in their work. In one project, a wine bottle represented the blood of Christ. Another depicted the significance of veiling of women in Islamic and Jewish traditions. One used infographics to compare and contrast Buddhism and Christianity.

This class is one of nearly 75 “Crossing Boundaries — Faith Traditions” CAP offerings that open up UD students’ eyes to the richness of religious traditions while increasing their empathy, understanding, and respect for others. I have the greatest respect and admiration for Professors Bradshaw and Yocum and other faculty members who continually innovate. Their collaborative spirit, creativity, and drive to enhance student learning are central to UD’s focus on the transformative nature of undergraduate education.

The lessons learned in courses like this one will be carried throughout the students’ lives.