About Sylvia Johnson Everett

Artistic Statement

The purpose of my work as an artist is to create an alternative and contemporary religious imagery through imaginative, stimulating, and spiritually uplifting, though not sectarian, art appropriate to the present time. I am primarily a symbolist and colorist and seek to explore the mystery of the divine through art.

I consider my work as an artist to be the communication of important ideas, thoughts, feelings and emotions, and to be my spiritual vocation. I draw on figures, texts, and ideas from my own and other religious traditions as subjects of interpretation as well as reflection on contemporary life, interior landscapes, the natural world and cosmic environment.

I use various textile techniques, including weaving, batik, painting on silk, fabric collage, and free-form embroidery. I have also worked extensively with large scale papercuts and with mosaics. All of these media and techniques appear in my installations for worship.

Brief History

I began my work in Atlanta in the 1980s, using textiles to create feminist-themed religious art. From 1995 to 2001 I was a Resident Artist in the Theology and Arts Program at Andover Newton Theological School, where I maintained my studio, Wisdom’s Table, in The Meeting House, an historic building renovated to house the school’s Center for Theology and the Arts. I have studied with artists in Milwaukee, Atlanta, Boston, Asheville NC, Heidelberg, Germany, and Bangalore, India. Since my retirement from Andover Newton I have continued my work based at my home studio in western North Carolina. At the age of 70, I retired from an active artistic emphasis. I returned to the study of piano, after a hiatus of 50+ years, and continued that for four years. I also have been very active in the Haywood Community Chorus and have served as chair of the Steering Committee for the past three years.

In the future, I plan to explore the Japanese technique, Kentsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with veins of silver and gold. The motto of Kentsugi is “More beautiful for having been broken.” I will also continue to occasionally create liturgical settings and art, as inspiration strikes. I also continue my gardening at Overbrook, our home in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

Exhibitions

For over 30 years, my work has been widely exhibited in the US in educational institutions, galleries, and churches. I have also had exhibitions in Germany and South Africa. Many of my present installations appear in the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, NC.

Work in Collections and Publications

My works are in private and institutional collections in the United States and Germany. The major work, “Song of Justice,” is permanently installed in the lobby of the Bethea Welcome Center, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, Lake Junaluska, NC. Another large commissioned work, “Heart of Light,” hangs in the Durham Reading Room of the Pitts Theology Library, Emory University. The multi-panel tapestry, “Extraordinary Time I,” hangs in the library at Andover Newton Theological School. Other works are at the Needham Congregational Church, Needham, Massachusetts, and at Andover Newton Theological School, where my work has also been featured in various school publications. A complete catalogue of my work has been compiled by my husband, Dr. William Everett, and is available here online.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

Bachelor of Music, 1962. University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
Master of Science (Management), 1984. Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Arts Training

Annette Hirsch, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Drawing
Susan Power, Atlanta: Painting on Silk
Sheila Raj, Bangalore, India: Batik
Jyoti Sahi, Bangalore, India: Symbolism
Volkshochschule, Heidelberg, Germany: Water color
Volkshochschule, Heidelberg, Germany: Painting on Silk
Isabella Asratyan, Atlanta: Tapestry Weaving
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA: Painting

Organizational Memberships

Asian Christian Art Association
Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and the Worship Arts

Exhibit History

February 1988
Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

March 1988
Center for New Beginnings, Dahlonega, GA.

October 1988
Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

February 1989
Brenau College, Religious Emphasis Week, Gainesville, GA.

June 1989
Seven Stages Theatre Gallery, Atlanta, GA.

August 1989
Unitarian Church of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA.

October 1989
Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

February 1990
Central Congregational Church, Atlanta, GA.

April 1990
“Rethinking the Sacred Image,” New Visions Gallery, Atlanta, GA.

September 1990
Center for New Beginnings, Dahlonega, GA.

October 1990
Women’s Week, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

November 1990
Briarcliff United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA.

March 1991
Cornelia United Methodist Church, Cornelia, GA.

April 1991
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA.

May – August 1991
Potter’s House Church, Washington, D.C.
September 1991
United Theological College, Bangalore, India.

December 1991
Friedenskirche, Heidelberg, Germany.

January 1992
St. Phillipus – St. Jacobi Kirche, Oekumenisches Centrum, Darmstadt-Kranichstein, Germany.

May 1992
Kirche am Markt, Heidelberg, Germany.

June 1992
National Women’s Conference, Montreat Retreat Center, Montreat, NC.

November 1992
First United Methodist Church, Valparaiso, IN.

September 1993
Kanuga Retreat Center, Hendersonville, NC.

January 1994
Central Congregational Church, Atlanta, GA.

March 1994
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Women, Atlanta, GA.

May-June 1994
Main Street Gallery, Clayton, GA.

May-June 1994
The Village Weaver, Dillard, GA.

September 1994
Unitarian Church of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA.

April 1995
First Baptist Church of Newton, Newton Centre, MA.

October 1995
The Meeting House, Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA.

July 1996
The Little Gallery, Haywood County Arts Council, Waynesville, NC.

March 1997
Needham Congregational Church, Needham, MA.

May-June 1997
Weston UCC Church, Weston, MA.

October 1997
United Parish of Auburndale, Auburndale, MA.

March-June 1998
“Covenant and Community,” Hebrew College and Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA.

July-August 1998
Jubilee! Community, Asheville, NC.

February 1999
Rondebosch United Church, Rondebosch (Cape Town), South Africa.

April-May 2001
Retrospective Exhibition at the Meeting House, Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA.

November, 2002
Mosaic exhibition at The Little Gallery of the Haywood Country Arts Council, Waynesville, NC.

December 2003, 2004, 2005

Annual exhibitions at Holy Ground Retreat Ministries Center, Asheville, NC.

August 2006

Mosaic exhibition at Outer Spaces Gallery, Waynesville, NC.

February 2007

Exhibits for “Textile Intersections” at Gallery 86 of the Haywood County Arts Council.

June, 2009

Worship setting for The Fellowship of United Methodist in Music and Worship Arts, Lake Junaluska.

August 2010

“For the Love of Color,” a retirement exhibition at Gallery 86 of the Haywood County Arts Council, Waynesville, NC.

 

Since 2010 I have continued to create seasonal liturgical works for First United Methodist Church, Waynesville, and Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, Lake Junaluska, NC.