Events
See what we’re hosting at the gallery
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Submissions are open for Living Water: Against Eco-Anxiety. This exhibit seeks to explore how art offers a place for metabolizing our responses to the climate crisis, ultimately allowing us to be better stewards of our planet.
Please submit work that speaks to either your response or your community's response to the current climate crisis. While the exhibit is being put up by the Luce Center of Art and Religion at Wesley Theological Seminary, submissions are welcome from folks of all faith, all non-faith, and all cultural communities. Likewise, this exhibit is uninhibited by genre, and we will work together with the accepted artists to find the best modality for presenting their work. This includes the performing arts.
Submissions will be accepted from Oct. 1, 2026 - February 2, 2027. If your work is accepted, you will be notified during the month of February. All accepted work besides performing arts submissions must be on Wesley's campus by March 2, 2027.
Four Old Angry Preachers
Wesley alum and Professional Artist-In-Residence R. Kayeen Thomas presents a stage play about four former preachers who have all left the church, and their journey of finding their way back. FREE TO THE WESLEY COMMUNITY!
Performances: Nov. 6th at 7pm and Nov. 7th at 2pm.
Four Old Angry Preachers - MATINEE PERFORMANCE
Wesley alum and Professional Artist-In-Residence R. Kayeen Thomas presents a stage play about four former preachers who have all left the church, and their journey of finding their way back. FREE TO THE WESLEY COMMUNITY!
Performances: Nov. 6th at 7pm and Nov. 7th at 2pm.
PERMISSION TO DO MY UTMOST: A solo performance by Patrick Beldio
A sculptor sits before a single microphone and tells the true story behind The New Being, his eleven-ton bronze sculpture of a hollow and open figure with butterflies streaming from the heart now standing in California.
Drawing on Karen Blixen’s Babette’s Feast, his Catholic formation in the Black Madonna, the mystical poetry of Sri Aurobindo, and Sufi teaching, Patrick Beldio voices the cry every artist eventually makes across all time: give me leave to do my utmost.
Opening Reception: Notebooks
The Luce Center is pleased to host Notebooks, a solo exhibition of works by Mojdeh Rezaeipour.
Mojdeh Rezaeipour is an Iranian-born transdisciplinary artist who works primarily in mixed media, installation, and film. Their research and creative projects are excavations of material memory, both personal and collective. Mojdeh is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, and they currently serve as an Artist In Residence at the Henry Luce III Center for Art and Religion.
Please join us at the Dadian Gallery on Thursday, April 18 for a special evening reception with the artist. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sacred Art and Ritual Gathering
The Wesley Community is excited to welcome multi-disciplinary artist, Nicoletta de la Brown, to lead us in sacred conversation and ritual. Sacred Art and Ritual Gathering is an intentional gathering of kindred spirits to center ourselves for the New Year. Surrounded by art in the Dadian Gallery, we will enjoy peaceful reflection, tea, and discuss how the divinity of art can guide us on our spiritual journeys. All are welcome to join us Thursday, January 11 at 11 a.m. in the Dadian Gallery for this sacred gathering.
Please RSVP to Jessie Houff at jhouff@wesleyseminary.edu
Exhibition Launch: Sacred Ground
Sacred Ground is an art exhibit that explores the deep connection of what it means to be a spiritual creator, an artist, and a child of God. Comprised of 14 Baltimore-based artists, Sacred Ground represents each artists' intersection of art and spirituality. The show will run from December 5-February 13.
Co-curated by Sarah McCann and Jessie Houff.
Celebration and Unveiling of Works by Debra Ambush
Join Luce Center's Dr. Debra Ambush as she unveils artworks created for the Oxnam Chapel Narthex to be in conversation with the historic Wesley Mural.
Exhibition Launch: En Route by Güler Ates
We welcome everyone to join us on Tuesday September 5 at 2pm at the Dadian Gallery for the opening reception of En Route by Güler Ates.
LOGOS Reading ft. Carolyn Forché + Roger Reeves
The Luce Center is pleased to partner with the LOGOS Poetry Collective and Washington Episcopal Diocese to present an evening of poetry, ritual, and conversation featuring distinguished writers Carolyn Forché and Roger Reeves. Join us at Busboys and Poets in Northeast DC’s Brookland neighborhood on Wednesday, March 29 from 7–8:30PM. You won’t want to miss this exciting, FREE event, so be sure to mark your calendars and tell your friends!
Exhibition Launch: VIRAL \ VALUE by Jordan Eagles
VIRAL \ VALUE sets the value systems of art, religion, and healthcare into dynamic discussion, challenging us to think about whose lives, experiences, and stories are acknowledged and valued, in what contexts, and by whom.
Creative-In-Residence Office Hours
The Luce Center’s 2022-23 creative-in-residence, Rev Dr Travis Helms, will hold open office hours during his spring residency. Members of the Wesley community are warmly invited to drop by the Luce Center Director’s office (K-113) for a one-to-one session with Travis, during which time they may share some of their own creative work, discuss the writing process, learn about his current projects, or explore ideas for using the arts in ministry. This time is set aside for you to explore imaginative possibilities in dialogue with a practicing poet and minister. All are welcome, and there’s no need to register in advance!
Exhibition Launch: The Box by Danielle Durchslag and Anne Mourier
In The Box, a two-person, multi-media art exhibition, artists Anne Mourier and Danielle Durchslag present a visual, feminist conversation about their faiths of origin. Raised Catholic and Jewish, respectively, both artists use a range of mediums to explore the complications, complexities, and confusions present in these patriarchal faiths.
Art as Ritual Practice with Nicoletta Darita de la Brown
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event is postponed until after the new year. Updated information will come in 2023. Thank you.
The Luce Center for the Arts & Religion is thrilled to welcome interdisciplinary artist, Nicoletta Darita de la Brown, to Wesley's campus to lead an intentional art conversation. Participants at this gathering will learn about Nicoletta's dynamic artistic journey and will be led through a community focused art experience.
Photograph provided by Nicoletta Darita de la Brown
Experiencing Round-Naved Churches of Medieval England with Catherine Hundley
Join us for an afternoon lecture with the Luce Center’s own Dr. Catherine E. Hundley, who will be sharing insights from her research on sacred architecture in medieval England.
