ART ZONE

To Art Workshops

Exhibition: 'Show me the way to life'

Friday 17u – 20u

Saturday 10u – 20u

Sunday 9u – 10u / 12u – 14u

During the festival, an art exhibition by Dutch artist Jedi Noordegraaf will be on display in the corridors of the Abbey. He has already exhibited his works based on the psalms in the Netherlands and other countries, and we are delighted that he is now coming to exhibit in Belgium. During the festival, he will also explain his works and perform some of his own psalm arrangements.

Jedi Noordegraaf (Ede) is a multidisciplinary Dutch artist, illustrator, architect and musician who founded Studio Vandaar in 2009. His work is characterised as layered, conceptual, minimalist and colourful. He won the prize for best theological book in 2015 with Woestijnvaders (Desert Fathers) and works frequently for magazines and publishers. He graduated as an architect from the Artez Academy of Architecture in Arnhem in 2004. In 2009, he founded Studio Vandaar in Ede. Jedi likes to refer to his work as “Visio Divina”: looking at an image from a place of silence and thus encountering God through seeing, reflecting, responding and resting.

Exhibition “The Nicene Creed”

Friday 17u – 20u

Saturday 10u – 20u

Sunday 9u – 10u / 12u – 14u

Last year marked the 1,700th anniversary of the adoption of the Nicene Creed. This creed articulates the core of the faith and is still upheld today by the major branches of Christianity, such as the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and Protestant churches. In a small exhibition, visitors are taken on a journey through the history of the Creed and can view artworks created especially for this exhibition. Various artists have drawn inspiration from the Creed, each in their own way and from a different aspect of it. It is about the message of unity and what binds us together.

ART Workshops

Friday

You are unique! And you’re searching for authenticity, depth and direction. You need answers. In this workshop, we’ll practise listening to the voice of the Eternal. Step by step, you’ll reach your destination. We’ll move from theory to practice.

Saturday

Let’s put up a tree together. We’re going to paint a tree together, inspired by what Jesus says about the mustard seed. A tiny seed, yet from it grows a great tree in which all kinds of birds can nest.
Think also of: the tree planted by streams of water, the tree of life…

Each participant will receive a 36 cm by 28 cm canvas showing part of the tree. You can paint it however you like. The tree, the leaves, the birds, the surroundings – let your imagination run wild. Afterwards, we will join all the canvases together to form one large piece measuring almost 5m².

A tree in which we, as heavenly birds, may nest. We come from different churches, different backgrounds, different styles. We sometimes think differently, celebrate differently, sing differently… but we do belong to the same tree: to God, to the Kingdom.
That image fits beautifully with Mark 4:30-32, where Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed: small at first, but growing into a large tree where heavenly birds can nest. A tree that provides space, that brings life, where everyone may have a place. Think also of the tree of life and the tree planted by streams of water. Revelation 22:2 and Psalm 1:3. Just like that tree, together we form something great, even if we each contribute only a small part, and all manner of birds find their place in this tree.

What significance does this ancient creed, drawn up in 325 at Nicaea by church leaders of the time from Northern and Southern Europe and the Middle East, hold for the followers of Christ today? As Pope Leo XIV declared: “Through theological dialogue and with God’s help, we shall gain a better understanding of the mystery that unites us.” We will explore the beauty and power of unity in making God known in our fragmented world.

This section features 26 illustrated Psalms as well as a number of modern icons; we learn more about the inspiration and working methods of artist Jedi Noordegraaf, and a number of Psalms are also performed musically. In a conversation with Gerdine Baaij, Jedi takes us on a journey through his interpretation of the Psalms. The exhibition in the cloisters of Bornem Monastery will be on display throughout the festival and can also be viewed outside of this special performance. The conversation and performance will take place in the Thomas Chapel.

Let’s put up a tree together. We’re going to paint a tree together, inspired by what Jesus says about the mustard seed. A tiny seed, yet from it grows a great tree in which all kinds of birds can nest.
Think also of: the tree planted by streams of water, the tree of life…

Each participant will receive a 36 cm by 28 cm canvas showing part of the tree. You can paint it however you like. The tree, the leaves, the birds, the surroundings – let your imagination run wild. Afterwards, we will join all the canvases together to form one large piece measuring almost 5m².

A tree in which we, as heavenly birds, may nest. We come from different churches, different backgrounds, different styles. We sometimes think differently, celebrate differently, sing differently… but we do belong to the same tree: to God, to the Kingdom.
That image fits beautifully with Mark 4:30-32, where Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed: small at first, but growing into a large tree where heavenly birds can nest. A tree that provides space, that brings life, where everyone may have a place. Think also of the tree of life and the tree planted by streams of water. Revelation 22:2 and Psalm 1:3. Just like that tree, together we form something great, even if we each contribute only a small part, and all manner of birds find their place in this tree.

“If you take your craft seriously – whether you dance, make music, lead worship, write or create visually – you already know that talent isn’t the only thing that counts. The real question is: can your character, conviction and faith take you where your talent wants to lead you?

In this workshop, we will discuss:

  • How to develop your skills without being influenced by comparisons
  • How to strive for excellence without losing sight of your values
  • How to understand your calling, ambition and influence within a faith context
  • How to build a creative life that is strong on the inside, and not just impressive on the outside

Lara Bianca Pilcher is a professional performing artist, international speaker, author and ICF PCC-certified life and creativity coach. She works with artists who want to ground their creativity in faith, conviction and personal integrity — not just visibility.

If you want your creativity to flourish, expand and remain aligned with who you believe you are called to be, this session will challenge you and make you stronger.

You are unique! And you’re searching for authenticity, depth and direction. You need answers. In this workshop, we’ll practise listening to the voice of the Eternal. Step by step, you’ll reach your destination. We’ll move from theory to practice.

Submit photos

Submit photos of your artworks by the 14th of March 2025. Photos should be of good quality so that the artwork is clearly visible. If it is 3D work such as sculptures, please send photos from different angles. Please include the dimensions of the artwork.
1

Jury

The jury will let you know by the 31st of March which artworks will be admitted to the exhibition.
2

Provide information

Before the 12th of April, send us the following information about your artwork in a Word document: name artist, name artwork, dimensions, material, and explanation (max. 100 words). We will turn these into info signs.
3

Set up exhibition

Deliver your artwork from the 28th of April to the 1st of May to Bornem Abbey. On the 2nd of May, the exhibition will be set up by AOFF.
4

Collect artworks

From the 2nd to 7th of June you can collect your artworks again at Bornem Abbey.
5

General conditions to participate in the exhibition:

  • The submitted artworks will undergo a selection process
  • Artworks that participate must not be offered for sale or have a visible price label.
  • When participating, you must bring and collect your artwork to and from Bornem Abbey yourself.
  • Artworks will be exhibited in the abbey from 3rd of May to 1st of June.
  • Each artist may provide additional info material about their artistic work, such as flyers, brochures or name cards (without prices). These will be placed on a separate table in the exhibition space.
  • The exhibited works will only include info related to the work in question.
  • The artworks will be displayed in the abbey and there will be supervision of the exhibition during the festival.

Impression Exhibition and workshops 2025

Testimonial Gerdine Baaij (responsible for Art Zone)

Over 10 years ago, I started organising art exhibitions in the Marekerk church in Leiden. Through this work, I got to know many artists and it was the start of building my network. Through small meetings, I kept coming into contact with new people and organisations. This is where I started to learn that artists need each other. In 2017, I started working for Operation Mobilisation with the task of organising missionary art projects. I came in contact with the global art branch of OM: Inspiro Alliance. Through this organisation, I learned a lot, met beautiful people and also got my first Artmentor who supported me in my development as an artist/curator. This network was a support for me in beautiful and difficult times. In 2019, I started working for OM in Belgium and I had a great experience working with a group of passionate artists in the creation of a travelling exhibition on the Flemish Primitives. Through this project, I came into contact with Art of Faith Festival and am now involved as coordinator of the Artzone. Last autumn, I went to Vilnius, Lithuania, to a conference for artists. Purpose: to encourage each other in the ministry or art form you are working in. I went home a different person again because it was so good to get together with like-minded people. Art of Faith also wants to be a place to encourage artists, which is why we organise an Art Brunch where artists can meet, learn from each other, catch their breath and be encouraged. Be welcome! Feel at home! You are not alone!

Testimonial SUE BALL

Last year, I had the special opportunity to participate in the art brunch and art exhibition ‘Art of Faith.’
It was an experience that enriched my heart and mind.

This experience opened an unexpected door: I was invited to exhibit my work in a gallery.
The gallery exhibition now gives me the opportunity to share my work with a much wider audience.
It feels like a blessing and confirmation that art can be a powerful tool to share God’s truth and love, and show it in a place where art and community come together.

I would encourage anyone who makes or appreciates art to embrace such moments.
You never know what conversations, opportunities or connections can emerge from them – and how they can bless others.

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