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Religion, Spirituality and the Arts, Fall 2015


My experience taking Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts in Fall 2015 led to two powerful pieces in response to the story of Cain and Abel. I was honored to be part of the RSA program. Surrounded by artists, poets, sculptors, fiber artists, and writers as we studied the story of Cain and Abel enriched my life and deepened my experience with Genesis chapter four.

Hearing music, seeing art, and reading literature that related to these passages brought new perspective to my lifelong study of God's word. The discussions and sharing of insights and ideas gave added meaning to a familiar passage.

My heart stirred and my soul churned as I used Midrash to explore deeper my own life experiences with loss, ultimately leading me to connect with Eve's loss of Cain by banishment and Abel by death. One of my art pieces, "Eve's Quilt of Loss," illustrates the nature of my heart connecting to Even.

I look forward to participating in ongoing discussions about art in response to Scripture, or these pieces in particular. As an experienced speaker, I'm available to address groups, congregations, and organizations of all sizes on the topic. My work has been displayed in multiple art shows, so I would be glad to discuss the possibility of submitting my work for public view.

Contact me for more information: jreed46038@hotmail.com


Eve's Quilt of Loss 




Eve's Quilt of Loss  In the Hebrew and Christian Bible people often expressed grief by tearing their clothes. "Eve's Quilt of Loss" represents what Eve might have done, tearing cloth, following the loss of Cain by banishment and Abel by death. Strips of torn wool, symbolizing Abel who was a shepherd, and linen, symbolic of Cain's work in the fields, are woven together and hand quilted. This piece was created for the Religion, Spirituality and the Arts seminar, Fall 2015, at Christian Theological Seminary.


Eve’s Quilt of Loss – 2015
Fabric, wool and linen
14” x 18”


Shredded Genesis 4 with the cover of
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl 






Shredded Genesis 4 with the cover of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl - St. Augustine thought that Cain was a symbol of the Jews. The story of Cain and Abel, according to St. Augustine, was marshaled into the service of persecuting Jews in the Roman Empire and unfortunately, long afterwards. I shredded a copy of Genesis chapter four, the story of Cain and Abel, and wove into the shredded cover of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, to illustrate the connection between the Holocaust and Cain's murder of Abel. Evil shreds lives. Weaving together Abel's and Anne's experiences reveals common injustice, centuries apart. This piece was created for the Religion, Spirituality and the Arts seminar, Fall 2015, at Christian Theological Seminary.

Shredded Genesis 4 with the cover of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl – 2015
Paper, embroidery
9 ¼” x 11 3/8”

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