I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Tuscany at the end of September 2023 with some participants from the creative group “Creatio - Kunst, die lebt" (Creatio – Art that Lives) (then still CreateArt+). We are a group of Christian creatives and artists who are spread across the entire German-speaking region. In the monthly Zoom meetings we exchange ideas, encourage and pray for each other.
This trip was the first opportunity for most of the 10 participants to get to know each other personally. I enjoyed that there was enough time to get to know a little bit about other people's stories, their art and personality.
We were accommodated in several small apartments in a simple but beautiful holiday home complex. There was a large terrace, a spacious green area and a small swimming pool surrounded by a beautiful landscape with vineyards, poplars and olive trees.
It was wonderful to have a lot of time together for worship, praise and prayer. What was special were the moments when we created something together.
Here I would particularly like to highlight the prophetic collage that we created together one morning. We sat around a large table full of materials (magazines, cards, nice knick-knacks, paints, pens, glue and scissors), each with a blank white paper in front of us. Then we should stick something on it, draw or do something creative with it. Then the paper was passed on and the neighbors repeated the procedure. After 2 rounds, when everyone had their original sheet in front of them again, we were supposed to ask God whether he would give us a prophetic word for one of the collages. The words I received for mine touched me deeply. Over the next few days we prayed again and again for individuals and their collages.
Of course we also went together on trips into the region around. The visit to Florence was very special for me, as I had already gone on an art study trip here with the YMCA Munich 30 years earlier. This time we visited the Uffizi, a large museum where a lot of art from different eras is on display. It was interesting to compare how individual artists portrayed the same biblical story very differently, or how they made self-portraits. It was special when we as artists exchanged ideas about works of art.
Finally, we looked at the Florence Cathedral together, which was very impressive from the outside, but rather plain inside. The dome, though architecturally special, left me rather cold because the paintings in it were so far away. Back in the accommodation we talked for a long time about what we had experienced.
Particularly touching was an impression that one of the participants had years before, who had lost her daughter in the cathedral and was unable to call for her. She moved this before God and he replied: “I have lost my children in church and have no voice to call them.” We used this impulse to pray for the church of Italy and that the artists of God would come forth.
In another excursion we visited the town of Vinci, where Leonardo da Vinci was born and lived. We visited the house where he was born and a museum where models of his inventions were exhibited. In addition to the great art, the landscape was particularly beautiful and intoxicating.
Everyone I told about our trip knew the next place: San Gimignano. This village is known for its many towers because there was a competition to see who had the most beautiful and tallest tower. The tranquil medieval alleys, arches, courtyards and churches are really very special. We stopped at a café run by a woman who had very special art. The walls were completely painted by her.
The fishing town of Lucca with its medieval fortress ring had an equally beautiful flair. There was a special place. Here the houses were built along the floor plan of an ancient amphitheater. There was nothing left of the theater. But a beautiful square was created.
When we made our way home after a good week, it was difficult to say goodbye. In addition to the great experiences and sights, a special connection was created between the travelers that still lasts today.
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