409 River Street Troy, NY tonight Fri 4-30-2010 5-9pm.

We hope you get a chance to come out to Terra Nova Gallery tonight and see the new show at 409 River Street in Troy. Stacy Lauren Kennedy is a talented photographer who attends Terra Nova Church. This is the first time she has shown her photography at the gallery.

Katherine Edwards, who is a local painter and has been a part of several shows at the gallery, featuring landscapes of the upstate region, will be showing her new work.

As always this gallery opening is in conjunction with TROY NIGHT OUT.

Come and enjoy the beautiful art while listening to music performed by Len Kiel, also from Terra.

Lots were involved as extras this past Saturday as filmmaker and Terra Nova member Roman Jaquez shot one of the final scenes in a short film that he’s been working on for over a year. Using Monument square in downtown Troy as the the backdrop, several hundred people joined in for the filming. After the filming, many people piled into Meka’s Lounge. The new Martini and wine bar opened by a couple other people from Terra Nova.

The Troy Record was there and you can find that front page article HERE.

Capital News 9 was also there and covered it on local television. Find that story HERE.

CBS 6 was there and posted this photo gallery from the shoot HERE.

Capital News 13 also posted video HERE. (Roman says it’s the best of all of it)

“Being a member of the family of Terra Nova Church has been a huge blessing in my life. Three years ago, I volunteered to create a motion installation of our most sacred king Jesus’ pierced hands and crown of thorns to be projected as part of the atmosphere before the band went up to lead in worship. Little did I know that this small act of service was going to so positively impact my filmmaking career.  Since then, it was only a matter of time before the pastoral team’s missions heart for community artist would become a source of help for many of us.

They knew I was doing business from a basement so they generously offered to share their office space with me.  This was one of their ways of being missional and reaching out to the local arts community and providing a home to showcase our work. Most of you have attended the Troy Night Out shows at the Terra Nova Gallery, and therefore have witnessed the impact that Terra Nova Church has in Troy. I am grateful for the pastors’ vision to be missionaries in the art culture of the Capital District.  Personally I have been greatly influenced creatively and spiritually.

Through the past three years I have had the opportunity to collaborate with church members and friends who are very talented photographers, graphic designers, web designers, fashion designers, musicians, writers, painters, actors and filmmakers. Most recently, I have had the honor of working with David Schwenker who has been an instrumental addition to the film  team of the church.  David is a very talented artist and he is the creator of the most recent baptism videos. Some of the productions that we have worked for TNC range from Point Of View street interviews asking thought-provoking questions, such as the project for the 7 Deadly Sins, to the baptism videos which tell the individual story of the person being baptized. All these can be seen HERE.

Most recently God has given the film team an opportunity to serve beyond Troy, NY. Because of the support of Terra Nova and the favor Almighty God has found in the work we do, I have travelled around the country filming and telling stories that glorify the Father. Stories of men and women who are doing extraordinary works of love and service, under much suffering and often persecution, only persevering under the name of Christ.  For instance, the feature documentary titled “BloodMoney” about the financial aspect of abortion in the United States. This documentary explores the impact abortion has on the women who chooses to have them, the men whose child is aborted and the men and women who perform the surgical procedure. The film is in post production and awaiting theatrical distribution.

Also, I have been filming “Silent Fall”, a global exploration of cultural forces eroding the value of human life and the social injustices that result. Infanticide, child prostitution, euthanasia, abandonment and abortion: behind every innocent victim is a story of tragic cultural pressures and a life-altering choice. What leads a father in the Amazon basin to bury his baby alive? How can a Cambodian family sell their 10-year old daughter into prostitution? What prompts a 40-year old woman in Holland to agree to end the life of her aging father? How can a loving couple in China abort their baby simply because it’s a girl? What leads a Romanian woman to terminate seven pregnancies? Deeply woven into our cultural fabric are the values that hold the key to these challenging questions of life and death.

One project that I am particularly excited about is “Away in a Manger”, a short family friendly film which started production last year and is scheduled to be completed by Christmas 2009. “Away in a Manger” is about the magical and mysterious tale of Christmas that blends both ancient celebrations and modern day family traditions. When Abby, an ordinary school girl, calls to a live radio talk show, the town is challenged by her to think about the true meaning of Christmas. After the live radio broadcast of “Monday Morning Mayhem with the Mayor”, something truly extraordinary happens to the people of Gulluver City. This Christmas, the words of a child will inspire an entire community to share the joy of celebrating the birth of Christ.

“Away in a Manger” is currently in production and we are casting for extras. Some of you have already worked with me as first time actors on a national commercial and or other productions. Some of you, perhaps did not even know that Terra Nova Church supports a small team of filmmakers. If you would like to be part of “Away in a Manger”, we would love to have your support by becoming a Movie Extra for the filming on Saturday, December 12th from 5-8pm.

To learn more about being an Extra and If you would like to learn about the movies referenced in this blog post, you are welcome to visit my personal website.

This Friday night is our next gallery opening. Show opens at 5PM and runs till 9PM. Our featured painter this month, Carole Warburton is showing her “Vanishing Barns” series. Why barns? In the early 1600’s the first farms were established in NY State. Farmers built timber barns using the styles and techniques they brought with them from Europe. Carole says “I have chosen Barns as a theme for my most recent group of paintings in the hopes of heightening awareness of their importance and the precious heritage they represent in New York State.”
Also on display is work by featured Photographer Ann Fantauzzi. She has captured the wildlife and culture of Namibia on recent visits to Africa. You won’t want to miss it. As always this gallery opening is in conjunction with TROY NIGHT OUT. Be sure to check out the map of other galleries and shops that are open.

Terra Nova Gallery annual Abolition/Injustice show September 24th thru October 27th.
The Gallery had a successful opening last month with photography by Gina Meola and an exhibit about child sex slavery by Bethany Marcelle. Gallery visitors came away from this event pensively; you are left with a sense of the world’s injustice in your gut and a desire to do something about it. Not often have I viewed art and been so moved. 
Responds Gina Meola when asked of her experience at the Gallery opening: “In my opinion, it isn’t so much the experience itself that matters, but what you take away from it and then do with it. This was an opportunity to push forward in my art, and share the core of why it was created – God’s call to love. I’m so grateful to Terra Nova for opening this door, and eagerly anticipate what lies ahead.”

New Show Friday October 30
Come join us for this month’s Terra Nova gallery opening on Friday October 30,  featuring photography by Ann Fantauzzi  titled Eyes to Namibia  and a painting collection by Carole Warburton titled Vanishing Barns.

Our featured artist this month, photographer Gina Meola, spent 6 months in Indonesia working for a relief organization. She will be giving a brief talk on Friday 9-25-09 at 6:30pm about some of her experiences as she traveled through this land as a missionary and artist. The following quote from Gina talks about her inspiration and passion:

“Amazing things happen when we find inspiration. I have been blessed with eyes that see life differently. Through this, I find inspiration to tell people’s stories. Photography is the language I can speak to anyone, anywhere. It can penetrate souls when words are not enough, and with one click can capture a moment for eternity. I am not an amazing photographer. I am not trained. I am, however, passionate. As I begin to explore this art and everything it offers, I know I fall more in love with my obnoxiously heavy camera every day.”

Gina Meola