The Relationship of Art to Culture at this Critical Juncture in Human History
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In a world characterized by rapid change and connectivity, the intersection of art and culture is more important than ever, offering profound opportunities for dialogue, understanding, and transformation. In recent messages, the Universal House of Justice has stated that the “Bahá’í world has experienced a significant advance at the level of culture” and encourages Bahá’ís to draw “on the power of the arts.” This panel of practicing artists will explore where the world seems to be at this stage and how the arts might play critical roles in community building, global civilization, advances in universal education, equality, and peace-making efforts.
Anne Gordon Perry
Anne Perry (PhD Aesthetic Studies/Humanities) teaches Art Appreciation and Humanities through Dallas College and art-related courses through the Wilmette Institute. Her commitment to creativity through writing, drama, and film spans decades. With her husband she has produced films about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's travels in the West. She has also published essays, fiction, poetry, and children’s books.
Michèle Jubilee
Michèle Jubilee has over six years of experience working in interdisciplinary education, public programming, curating, leadership, and community engagement for museums. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in both Art History and Visual Arts from the University of British Columbia (UBC). Michèle is also a multidisciplinary artist and illustrator making art about the body and soul, our relationships to ourselves and each other, emotions, and our unique journeys of growth as human beings.
Christina Wright
Christina Wright is a Lecturer in the Department of Film and Theatre, College of Humanities and the Arts, at San Jose State University, an Instructor in the Film and Television Department, Creative Arts Division at De Anza College and Online Faculty for the Wilmette Institute. She also freelances as a Screenwriter, Social Emotional Arts Facilitator and as a Film Curation Consultant and Reviewer for Wayfarer Theaters. Christina has facilitated arts education workshops and discussions at a number of schools and conference centers for over 10 years with a focus on media literacy and the use of the arts as a tool for character education, leadership development and integrative wellness.
Taraz Samandari
Taraz Samandari is a writer, poet and physician-scientist. While he has served on various Bahá'í administrative institutions in the US, Botswana, and Kenya, he has given many public talks about the Faith, enjoys hosting youth deepenings, has animated a junior youth group in Atlanta and facilitated study circles. His artistic endeavors include the writing and performing of a shadow puppet show for children attending the 50th anniversary of the Faith in Botswana. Presently he is writing a play and graphic novel to convey fundamental Bahá'í teachings to youth and young adults.
48th Annual Conference
The views expressed in this recording are those of the presenters and do not necessarily represent the views of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, nor the authoritative explications of Bahá’í writings.