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Interfaith Center celebrates 60th anniversary with 17 events
Randy Auxier, an associate professor of philosophy, speaks Tuesday evening at the Interfaith Center. Auxier, along with Dominic Gomes, an instructor of art at John A. Logan, lead a discussion on War, Peace and Art. The discussion was part of the weeklong celebration of the center's 60th anniversary, which ends on Saturday.
Sixty colorful pictures decorate the basement walls of the Interfaith Center. The pictures represent the progression of the center and years of events that have led up to their 60th anniversary celebration. The main level is filled with a variety of artwork, which was created by local talent, students and faculty members. These works, which symbolize the celebration's theme "Art from the Heart," are all available for purchase during a silent auction. The auction will raise money for the Interfaith Center and in some cases the individual artist.
For the past six decades, the Interfaith Center has provided a form of liberal ministry to students of all religions and beliefs. The Interfaith Center has a variety of religious meetings and spiritual discussion groups as well as an International Coffee Hour and T'ai Chi classes. Students can check out books on topics related to spirituality, theology and self-help. People are available to talk to students about questions or concerns they have involving those topics.
The Interfaith Center is sponsoring 17 events, which will take place throughout the remainder of the week. Live entertainment and free food are provided at many of the events. In addition to music, local artists will give presentations and entertain questions about their art. Discussions on a variety of different religious practices, a tailgating event and holiday craft making are all scheduled events. All activities take place in the Interfaith Center and are free and open to the public.
The celebration began Sunday with an ice cream social followed by a gourmet vegetarian buffet. Both events featured music from local performers with local restaurants and volunteers providing food for the vegetarian dinner. Hugh Muldoon, the director of the Interfaith Center, said there was an especially good turnout at the vegetarian dinner.
Lunch with an Artist is one of the main events that will occur at noon throughout the week. The first lunch with an artist took place Monday with featured artist Najjar Abdul-Musawwir. The second lunch with glass-blowing instructor Che Rhodes will be today with the final lunch with artist Colleen McCall occurring Friday. During each of the meals, students will have the opportunity to ask the artist questions as they eat.
Tracey McEvilly, a junior in ceramics from Mundelein and a volunteer at the Interfaith Center, said the lunches are a chance to sit down with someone who creates works of art in an informal setting. She helped contact many of the artist and performers who will be present at the center throughout the week.
"The idea at these lunches is to sit down and ask artists what are they doing when you make art, where does it come from, and what are you saying," Muldoon said. "You can ask the type of things that don't normally come up in a classroom setting."
The center also put together an event to celebrate all SIUC students. A Student Appreciation Buffet will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Muldoon said he feels it is import to celebrate every significant part of life. Because students' lives are often separated in semesters, he said it is important to give recognition to all students.
The actual 60th Anniversary celebration will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The event will include a buffet, brief presentations and recognition of alumni and supporters, along with a jazz performance by Rita Warford. Both Muldoon and McEvilly expect a good turnout for the celebration.
Adults, students and children can gather at 1 p.m. Saturday at the center for a Holiday Ceramics Workshop. Forty-eight pounds of clay will be available to create Christmas crafts or holiday gifts. This event is especially geared for children; however, people of all ages are welcome.
"People can make someone a gift for the holidays," Muldoon said. "We are trying to show people that the most meaningful gifts are those from the heart that we make ourselves."
The week will come to an end with a closing ceremony from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, which will feature bluegrass music preformed by a local group. This will also be the last chance to make a bid at the art auction.
"The idea of the week is to let people know we are here and willing to help in anyway we can be of service," Muldoon said.
For more information or a list of the scheduled events, contact the Interfaith Center at 549-7387.
