About Visual Faith
Visual Faith Institute is a study and exhibition center that seeks to encourage Christian engagement with the visual arts. Its goals involve supporting visual artists at Fuller, helping Christians understand the role of the visual arts in the renewal of culture and worship, and displaying excellent art for Fuller and the broader community. As a part of the Brehm Center in the context of Fuller seminary it seeks to develop its mission in various ways:
• Through courses on the visual arts and the built environment, including especially the Orvieto
program on medieval art and theology. Here the biblical, historical and theological dimensions of
the visual will be explored and discussed.
• Through special exhibitions of art in the new library or other settings.
• Through occasional lectures and visits by artists and scholars, including the artist in residence.
• Through research projects which explore the use of visual art in worship and spirituality.
• Through studio experiences in classes and special workshops.
William Dyrness, Director
Beginning with his doctoral work in the 1970’s Bill Dyrness has committed to the integration of theology and the visual arts throughout his career. His doctoral dissertation on Georges Rouault, written at the University of Strasbourg (France), was published in 1971 “Rouault: A Vision of Suffering and Salvation” (Eerdmans Publishing Company). While a missionary in the Philippines (1974-1982) and a professor and president at New College Berkeley (1982-1990) he taught and wrote mostly in broader areas of culture and missions. Since completing ten years as Dean of the School of Theology at Fuller (1990-2000) he has been able to devote more time to study and teach in his first love: theology and the visual arts, in the context of the Brehm Center. This has been, he reports, like a long term dream come true! (...contin.)
Artist in Residence - Christopher Slatoff
Christopher Slatoff was launched into the art world at an early age; his father was a painter and an art professor. Christopher studied both here and in France, ultimately obtaining his BFA in Sculpture from Cal State Long Beach.
He has had several solo exhibitions, including one at the San Diego Art Institute, and participated in many group shows at galleries, museums and universities in Southern California, Arizona and New York. Christopher's San Diego work also includes working with the Ilan Lael Foundation and exhibiting in the "Sculpture San Diego" exhibitions. He was recently invited to join the California Art Club in Pasadena, and is showing in their annual juried show. Christopher has also completed international sculpture projects in Japan, Holland and the Canary Islands.
Christopher has been very involved in bringing art into the community His public art commissions range from "Sheltering Wings" for the San Diego Port Commission at Shoreline Park in Coronado, to seven life-size commissions for churches in both California and Texas.
In 1986 Christopher had a California Artist in Residence Grant to work with special needs children in the Vista School System. He has worked in his community to establish both expanded in-classroom and after-school art programs. Currently he is serving as a guest artist facilitator in sculpture for children at the Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk, a state mental institution
Since relocating from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1997, the artist has done a number of projects for the movie studios, including a featured angel grave marker for the Paramount film "Face-Off", and a mother and child sculpture for Disney's "Enemy of The State". More recently, Christopher was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by the California Art Club. As artist-in-residence with the Brehm Center, Christopher has served as guest lecturer in a number of Fuller Seminary classes including the courses taught in Orvieto, Italy.
Click here to read an article on Chris Hometown Pasadena.