It began as a small group of artists meeting to share ideas.  Four years later, Willow Creek’s Visual Arts Ministry encompasses painters, photographers, sculptors, illustrators and graphic designers—all reaching for excellence in their art and seeking to make a contribution with their talents.

“We are visual artists reflecting God’s love through our gifts,” says Tiley Frost, director of Visual Arts.

THE STUDIO at the Creek meets four times each year, gathering to share portfolios of their work, listen to messages from other gifted artists and build community. “We’re not just painters,” says Tiley. “Thanks to the Ministry Fair in January, we added thirty photographers to the group.” They’re connecting with serving opportunities in Programming and Production. Other teams help decorate and design special events, like Easter.”

At Easter 2005, artists took broken pieces of tile that reflected our brokenness as people, and created a mosaic that will be a permanent fixture at Willow. “It’s exactly what God does with us,” says Tiley.  “He takes our brokenness and creates something beautiful with our lives.”

The Visual Arts Ministry is wrapped around four core values: servanthood, humility, community and team play.  “We have a three-fold focus,” says Tiley. “We help the individual grow, not only as an artist, but spiritually. We focus on community—connecting and serving together, and learning from each other. Finally, we move beyond ourselves.  We leave our comfort zones and serve, not only at Willow Creek, but outside the church walls.”