Center for Faith and Life

 Mission

The Center for Faith and Life works alongside friends and partners within First Baptist Church of Asheville and the wider community to create a merciful zone of beautiful belonging where all can flourish in mind, body and spirit.  

Wednesdays in September, Crouch Chapel, 6 p.m. 

Experience renewal this fall through the beauty of the arts.  Sponsored by the Center for Faith and Life, this Artist Series will feature a variety of local and regional artists across Wednesdays in September.  Join us in welcoming: 

• Cindy Walton, Contemporary oil painter: Wednesday,  September 3
•  Stewart / Owen Dance, dance trio: Wednesday, September 10
• Janna Barber, writer/storyteller: Wednesday, September 17
• Adam Whipple, folk musician: Wednesday, September 24  

We look forward to seeing you there!

Adam Whipple

Singer-songriter, folk musican

Wednesday, September 24 // Crouch Chapel // 6 p.m.

Join us in welcoming singer-songwriter, folk musician, Adam Whipple on Wednesday, September 24 in the Chapel.  Adam blends an eclectic, literate brand of folk rock with a traditional Appalachian sound. His music has been described as equal parts Rich Mullins and Garrison Keillor, and compared to Andrew Peterson, Paul Simon, and Counting Crows.  A graduate of Carson-Newman University, Adam is a founding member of the creative collective Knox Writes and a leading editor of Foundling House, an online arts journal.  This evening will feature a blend of music, poetry, and conversation around Adam’s  creative process.  Learn more about Adam at: adamwhipple.com

Janna Barber 

Writer, Poet, Storyteller

Wednesday, September 17 // Crouch Chapel // 6 p.m.

Join us in welcoming writer, poet, and storyteller Janna Barber from Knoxville, TN.  Janna grew up in the various homes of a nomadic Baptist Preacher and his Southern Belle wife—and lived to write a book about it. Released in 2020, her memoir Hidden in Shadow: Tales of Grief, Lamentation and Faith explores the value of grief and lament in the life of a modern day believer.  Janna is also the author of the poetry chapbook Invisible Hope: Poetry for Ragamuffins.  Through the unabashed honesty of both her poetry and prose, Janna will invite us into the hope, healing, and renewal that arise from faith in the midst of life’s deeply challenging times.  You won’t want to miss it!  Learn more about Janna at substack.com/@jannaybarber.

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Stewart / Owen Dance 

Contemporary Dance Trio

Wednesday, September 10 // Crouch Chapel // 6 p.m.

Join us in welcoming  Stewart / Owen Dance, the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts’ resident dance company.  Its co-founders Gavin and Vanessa, a husband and wife duo, seek to enrich the WNC community through building a sustainable ecosystem where professional dance artists can thrive.  Their company provides high-quality educational programming for newcomers and professionals alike including dance classes for adults, and educational programming and performances for public schools, YMCAs, and a host of WNC community organizations. The elegant and innovative choreography of this dance trio will capture our attention and our hearts. You won’t want to miss it!  

Learn more about Stewart / Owen Dance at stewartowendance.org.

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Cindy Walton

Contemporary Oil Paintings

September 3 // Crouch Chapel // 6 p.m.

Join us in welcoming contemporary oil painter, Cindy Walton, on Wednesday, September 3, in the Chapel.  Cindy is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, and a long-time resident of Asheville.  She is an expert in the use of cold wax methods, and is highly respected as a teacher of the medium.  Through bold marks traveling in and out of layers of oil and cold wax, Cindy captures action, energy, and quiet musings of nature.  

This evening will offer a taste of Cindy’s work through demonstration and conversation around her creative process.  The vibrant color, light, and movement of her palette will bring joy to our eyes and our hearts. You won’t want to miss it.  “It’s about letting go and letting the paint and creativity flow.” – Cindy Walton

Cindy’s work can be viewed at cindywalton.com and at her studio in the River Arts District, 348 Depot St. Suite 180.