By Charles Vess and Karen Shaffer

"Myth must be kept alive. The people who can keep it alive are the artists of one kind or another. The function of the artist is the mythologization of the environment and the world." - Joseph Campbell

"Ancient Spirit, Modern Voice: the Mythic Journeys Art Exhibition" will be on display at the Defoor Centre Art Gallery in Atlanta from May 1- June 12, 2004. The exhibit boasts the works of contemporary artists whose imagery draws on universal archetypes that resonate deeply with the human spirit. Over 100 paintings, illustrations, sculptures, prints and photographs showcase varied cultural traditions of myth, story and ritual to tap into a universal language that enriches each of our own "hero's journeys."

The Celtic-influenced art of Mythic Journeys' award-winning conference artist guests Alan Lee ("Lord of the Rings," "The Mabinogion"), Brian and Wendy Froud ("Labyrinth," "Dark Crystal"), and Charles Vess ("Book of Ballads and Sagas," "Midsummer Night's Dream") will be featured. Three other conference guests, Terri Windling, Virginia Lee, and Meinrad Craighead explore spiritual transformation with their evocative imagery. There will be a special installation piece by Stu Jenks at the entrance to the show that will enhance the gallery experience.

Others artists from Canada and across the USA re-interpret ancient myth into personal interstitial visions with swirling color, inspired light, insight and humor. Alongside these, exciting works from the Southern African American Vernacular, Australian Aboriginal, Japanese, Native North American, and Central American cultures will be on display.

The DeFoor Centre contains a 5,250 square foot octagon art gallery with a cathedral ceiling. There is also the Book Market, which will be selling books and prints of the "Ancient Spirit, Modern Voice" artists, plus a full-color catalog of the show (available after April 15). This is a prime educational opportunity for school groups, families, or for any organization's outing.

Free shuttles will run during the Mythic Journeys Conference between the downtown Hyatt and the Defoor Centre on a regular basis with various attending artists accompanying some of the Magical Mythical Tours!

For more information or to register, visit www.mythicjourneys.org or call 404-832-4127.

"There is something at work in mythic art that goes beyond even the skill of the artist. It's almost as though artists are tapping into something true and universal, something that links us all. As the late scholar Joseph Campbell, poets like Coleman Barks and Robert Bly, and psychologists like James Hillman show us, mythic art and design communicates something essential in a powerful and enriching way."

Artist Spotlights For February/March

Roxanne Swentzell

"Framed," bronze. Photo credit: Wendy McEahern

Roxanne Swentzell, is a Santa Clara sculptor and traditional native artist who is currently producing a bronze installation piece for the new Museum of Native American Art in Washington, DC, which opens in the fall of 2004. Her emotionally charged clay figures have been showcased in the Smithsonian, the White House, and museums throughout the world.

Alan Lee

"Merlin," pencil.

Alan is one of the most acclaimed book illustrators in England and America today, a winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and other honors. His many fine books include Faeries (with Brian Froud), The Mabinogion, Black Ships Before Troy, The Wanderings of Odysseus, and a lavishly produced anniversary edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. More recently, Alan was the principal designer/art-director for the three "Lord of the Rings" films. He is also a landscape painter and an avid reader of myth and mythic literature. His watercolor paintings, drawings, and prints have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.

Helena Nelson-Reed

"The Path of the Shapeshifter," watercolor.

The visionary art of Helena Nelson-Reed involves Native American and mythopoeic themes. Swirling watercolors portray a visionary world focused on positive, feminine archetypal imagery. She is an American painter who has long been fascinated by art, myth, fairy tales, legends and mysticism, as well as by cultures, religions, spiritual paths and societies different from her own.

Tepehuano Artist

"Path to Wirikuta," anonymous Huichol artist, yarn, beeswax and board.

Huichol and Tepehuano yarn painting is a traditional, artistic technique that is used for recording dreams, visions, myths, and the innermost personal prayers of these Central American people. Multi-colored yard is imbedded onto a wooden board covered in sun-warmed wax. Common images depicted in these works include various gods, goddesses, magic animals, ceremonies, sacred objects and legends important to them. It is a meticulous and time-consuming art form that may be a successor to the feather-working techniques of their ancestors, the Aztecs.

Brian Froud

"The Gift," pencil and watercolor.

Brian is an English painter who has spent his life exploring the folk tales and faery lore of his native land. His internationally best selling books include Faeries (with Alan Lee), Good Faeries/Bad Faeries, Lady Cottington's Fairy Album, and The Runes of Elfland. He also designed two feature films for director Jim Henson: The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

Stu Jenks

"Catalina State Park, AZ," photograph.

Spirals, circles, and sacred spaces are the subjects Stu explores in a range of photographs and art installations, telling stories with light and time and land instead of with words. The imagery he presents to the viewer is provocative and mysterious, encouraging the viewers to find their own meanings in his circles and spirals and columns of light. He’s an artist who interacts with the world around him, rather than imposing his vision upon it.

"Ancient Spirit, Modern Voice" Artists:

Painters:

In each issue of Mythic Passages, we'll share a few of our favorite links on the World Wide Web. We hope these resources help you with your own Mythic Journey. Do you have any suggestions for interesting links you've discovered? Let us know at info@mythicjourneys.org. We'd love nothing better than to pass along the riches.

The Mythology of Ancient Britain and Ireland by Charles Squire

The Florence Harkness Biblical Library of Case Western University's Reserve Library scanned the entire text of the classic work as it was first published in 1906 and captured it as several .pdf files. You can purchase several modern reprints of this wonderful book, but it's fun to read it in its original printing. Of particular interest is the last chapter which traces the familiar Authurian heros and their stories back to their original rootstock as Welsh and Irish deities.

• Part One Foreward and Table of Contents

• Part Two The Celts and Their Mythology, The Gods of the Continental Celts, The Gods of the Insular Celts, and The Mythical History of Ireland

• Part Three The Mythical History of Britain, The Heroic Cycle of Ancient Ulster, The Fenian or Ossianic Sagas, and the aforementioned chapter on Arthurian Legend.

Endicott Studio

An interdisciplinary organization dedicated to the creation and support of mythic art. With a journal that is an on-line publication exploring myth, forlklore, fairytales and their use in the contemporary arts. Autumn issue was about shapeshifters and shamans, coyotes and crows: animals in myth and mythic arts.

Green Man Review

Jane Yolen says, "Wherever I am, I always keep in touch with the best mythic-centered books, music, and movies through Green Man Review. I won't leave the mundane world without it." And that's excellent advice. This wonderful website is a guiding hand to a wealth of riches in the world of Myth. Check out their review of Mythic Journeys guest Meinrad Craighead.

myss.com

Caroline Myss, Director. Included here are the tools, inspiration, and information you'll find most helpful on your path and quest to becoming a more conscious, powerful, energized, and healthy person. Excellent commentary on world religions, sacred contracts (your path), archetypes (over 70!), and information, avenues and references to assist you.

Priestess of the Frame Drum

"Redmond can still hear the faint feminine rhythms of the ancient world - a time filled with women frame drummers celebrating their goddesses. In this age of unhealthy arrythmia and dis-empowerment, she brings the pulse back to the people through her work as a teacher, composer, and performer. The frame drum is reincarnated as an instrument of power in Redmond's hands thanks to her deft technique, ear for nuance, and passion." -- Kyle Gann, Village Voice
Healing Metaphysics

A site dedicated to the concept of heuristic healing. A healing consciousness which leads the seeker to the meaning and usefulness of every day experiences. A shamanic journey both inside and outside ordinary awareness.

Holistic Design

Roleplaying, miniatures, and computer games designed by two of our talented Mythic Journeys guests, Bill Bridges and Andrew Greenberg. Emperor of the Fading Suns, Machiavelli The Prince, Hammer of the Gods and more!

Dragoncon

Dragon*Con 2004, America's largest annual convention for fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror, comics and art, games and computers, animation, science, music, television and films, will be held Friday through Monday, September 3rd-6th, 2004 (189 days away) in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The Madwoman Project

A way of creatively expressing madness without hurting or harming ourselves or others that involves writing, theater, music, art, and craft - all creative aspects of the chaos that can either create or destroy.

Phenomena Magazine

An interesting Grail article in their most recent issue....