'Sacred Partnership' art exhibit highlights Mary Magdalene celebration July 17-18, 2009
 
SEDONA, AZ (June 2, 2009) - From witnessing the magic of art to experiencing the beauty of mystery, this year's 2009 Mary Magdalene Celebration promises to be a unique event held in the red rocks of Sedona.
 
Set for Friday evening and Saturday, July 17, 18, this multi-faith seminar at Sedona's Creative Life Center will feature John Beverley Butcher, M. Div., addressing the topic "Jesus of Nazareth and Mary of Magdala: Chalices of Mystery, Sacred Partnership." An Episcopal priest, Butcher is a leading authority on sacred scriptures and reclaiming the wisdom teachings and spiritual practices of Jesus and Mary of Magdala.
 
Opening the event will be a "Sacred Partnerships" art exhibit and reception Friday evening, featuring paintings and icons rooted in scripture and spiritual expression.
 
Leading the exhibit will be iconographer Lewis Williams, presenting his new work "Jesus and Mary Magdalene: Chalices of Mystery." His original icon will be on display, and orders for giclee representations will be taken at this event, which will also feature hors d'oeuvres and meeting local artists who will be exhibiting their work.
 
Local artists included in this prestigious exhibit are Laurel Harr, Andrea Smith, Gloria Rothrock, Loren Haury, Susan Lovit, Rev. J.C. Ortiz, Pamela Becker, Liam Herbert, Sunday Larson, Alok Hsu Kwang-han, and Sherab Khandro. Jonathon Holbrook's "Pieta of the Father"and Diana Dunlap's "My Shadow" will also be on display, loaned from John Butcher's private collection.

In praising the Sacred Partnerships art exhibit's inclusion in the Mary Magdalene event, John Butcher states, "At the heart of this year's Celebration is the sacred partnership between Mary of Magdala and Jesus of Nazareth which will be expressed through spirit filled paintings, chanting, ritual, and dance. The arts and the Gospels play off each other vibrantly.

Artists, musicians, dancers and participants are essential to the event. The components complement and enhance each other, creating a synergy in which the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts."
 
Barbara Litrell, event organizer with Judy Massey, expresses optimism for the quality of art and artists participating in the July 17 exhibit. "The art represented from such a diverse group of fine artists in the Sedona area, and some from beyond the area, perfectly complements the theme of this
year's celebration."
 
Friday evening's "Sacred Partnerships" art exhibit and reception will be held from 6 - 7:30 pm in the Sedona Creative Life Center's Universal Room, followed by John Beverley Butcher's opening lecture, "Hidden Treasures in the Earth and Us: Nag Hamadi Revealed."
 
Saturday's sessions will be held in the Center's Great Room from 9 am - 4 pm. They will include lectures and ritual with music from communities in Galilee and Syria, as well as sacred dance. The day will conclude with a Chalice of Mystery ceremony created by John Butcher.
 
The fee for Friday evening, all sessions and lunch on Saturday is $45. For more information and order processing, contact Barbara Litrell, 928-300-5839 or Judy Massey, 928-282-0073. The Sedona Creative Live Center is located at 333 Schnebly Hill Road.