Christians in Visual Arts, also known as CIVA, is an international organization for ceramicists, painters, photographers, and others who find their artistic inspiration in their Christian faith. Last June CIVA’s national office found its home in Madison, and this Friday CIVA holds an open house and print sale at its new office and gallery in Suite 212 at 849 East Washington Avenue.
“See our office art exhibit; purchase a variety of art prints; join us for food, drink, and conversation about art and faith; and meet the CIVA staff,” the Facebook invitation says.
CIVA has its roots in a conference for Christian artists that drew about 170 participants to Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1977. The organization has grown steadily since its official beginning in 1979 and for most of the twenty-first century was based at Gordon College in Massachusetts.
Madison resident Cameron Anderson became CIVA’s second executive director in 2009, after a 30-year career in campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, which is also based in Madison. After commuting from Madison to Boston and other locations for six years, the decision was made to move to Madison one year ago.
“Madison residents Kate Austin, Bill Montei, Barry Sherbeck, and Dawn Anderson (Oconomowoc) – all part-time staff – now form the local team that serves this international organization,” Anderson said. The CIVA website reports, “With this team in place, and along with the generous collaboration of artists and other skilled professionals, CIVA is poised for a new era of growth and opportunity as it engages in Serious Art and Serious Faith.”