Chrysalis Seed Trust: Directors' message

Chrysalis Seed Mission:

To equip artists to integrate art and faith and to reconcile art and faith communities

Chrysalis Seed Vision:

Generate multiplying artists' groups in a subculture centred in Jesus

Chrysalis Seed Trust has taken on a challenging role in terms of its function in a secular society. All the evidence at my disposal suggests that they are succeeding – the range of their contacts, and the sheer quality and readability of their CS Arts publication are rich testament to this.

Tim Barnett, Member of Parliament

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Peter and Jessica founded the Chrysalis Seed Trust in 1996 after Peter received a vision to support Christian artists in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Dear friends, artists and supporters,

We are grateful to God for the movement He has stimulated in Aotearoa over the last 14 years through Chrysalis Seed. It is part of a wider global movement. Since the ‘1970’s there has been a slowly emerging renaissance of the arts amongst Evangelical Christians. The visual arts have been the last to be embraced. A range of international Christian contemporary arts movements and organizations has arisen over the last 30 years. New Zealand arts school faculties have often scorned the work of Christians in their midst, even the religious content of Colin McCahon. There are now many believers at art schools, both students and faculty. Of course the vision is in its early stage of fulfilment. We are still waiting for a multiplying movement of artists following Jesus across New Zealand. Seeds have been sown. Chrysalis Seed has been a seedbed and a sower. It’s now time for the seeds to be watered and nurtured by many more across New Zealand.

Chrysalis Seed Trust: end of services, growth of vision
The vision of Chrysalis Seed is to “generate multiplying groups of artists in a subculture centred in Jesus”. This will continue vigorously. The structure and operations of Chrysalis Seed as a Trust will finish from 1 April, 2010. The reasons for this are financial, personal and spiritual. The asset base of the main supporter of the Trust has been severely reduced through the economic crisis. We see this as a sign that God will multiply the work and vision of Chrysalis Seed, without the organisation itself. A grass roots movement will continue to emerge as fresh shoots sprouting out of the stump of the tree that is being cut down. Artists and activists will continue to build on the foundations we have built in the last 14 years.

The following will continue in 2010:
eight groups of Christian artists meeting regularly throughout New Zealand.
a social network of over 540 artists and supporters. (csartspace.org.nz)
an intact and comprehensive library of art and faith materials available nationally to artists and students through Knox College, Dunedin.
our personal networking with artists throughout New Zealand (Peter & Jessica Crothall)
All published CS Arts magazines available online (we will have an update on in the next e-newsletter)
a monthly prayer newsletter for artists, groups and arts institutions

csartspace (artists’ social network)
We are committed to csartspace continuing. This will either be through another organization taking it up, or some individuals looking after it on a voluntary basis. Let us know if you have any ideas or offers!

Our next and final e newsletter will be sent in March and will confirm final arrangements for csartspace. CS Prayer news will continue through Peter and Jessica Crothall.

Glory to Jesus Christ
We continue to give thanks to Jesus Christ the Creator of all, who holds the arts community together only by the word of His power. He will bring this vision of His kingdom in the arts community for artists to fruition in His time and way. Will you join hands with Him as we explore fresh ways to bring life and good news to artists in our nation?

Peter and Jessica