Artful Spirits
The Artful Spirits initiative represents Holy Family's commitment to revitalizing children's engagement in worship by integrating the arts and fostering intergenerational collaboration, primarily in Pittsburgh's Black church communities. The program will use arts-based worship practices to re-engage children aged 7-12, blending traditional elements with dynamic expressions of faith.
Artful Spirits Program for Families
Artful Spirits brings children, youth, and adults together to celebrate faith through music, art, dance, and storytelling. Here's what families can expect throughout the year:
Gatherings
Each week children will explore the Bible through exciting, hands-on activities—discovering faith in ways that are both meaningful and fun! They will also join local artists in monthly workshops to create music, drama, and art for worship.
Storytelling Sundays
Special Sundays at each church where children share Bible stories in creative ways – acting, art, or storytelling – through intergenerational collaborations of children, teens, and adults to plan and lead worship services.
Creative Worship Services
Celebrations where the whole community joins in worship through drama, song, and dance. All churches will come together for these exciting performances.
Community Revival
A joyful festival with performances, art displays, and family-friendly workshops to celebrate faith and culture.
These activities are designed to increase children’s spiritual engagement, build meaningful connections across generations, and celebrate cultural expression – helping to create a stronger sense of community and build sustained participation in worship and the arts!
Parents and caregivers are always welcome! You can attend workshops, help with costumes and art projects, or simply cheer on your child during performances.
Artistic Partners
Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT) and Point Park University provide the initiative's artistic backbone, offering culturally rich and technically skilled programming. Their participation ensures that the arts are not an afterthought but a central, transformative element, inspiring spiritual growth, intergenerational collaboration, and cultural appreciation.
Partner Congregations
Contact Us
Nikki D. Thorpe
Artful Spirits Project Director
thorpe.nikki@hfi-pgh.org
Geoffrey Tate
Artful Spirits Community Outreach Coordinator
tate.geoffrey@hfi-pgh.org
