 "Photo: Adrienne Sparks • Staff Photographer")
Plants, icons, and songs can be considered sacred.
About 50 people showed up at the Rio Grande Gallery Theater on Nov. 3 where they heard three panelists of different faiths explain why.
"It is always so interesting to me to see intersections of people from such different religions and to see the common ground," said ACC religion professor and coordinator of the event Melinda Rothouse.
Japanese Zen Buddhist ikebana, Eastern Orthodox Christian iconography, and Jewish liturgical song were the subjects of the panel hosted by the ACC Religion Department. The panelists were Iris Ramos from the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center, Irene Perez-Omer from IconArts, and Rabbi Neil Blumofe from Congregation Agudas Achim.
Ramos started by presenting a thorny floral arrangement she had prepared.
"I have practiced it to see if I can do it without getting stuck," said Ramos. "I did get stuck tonight."
Ramos explained how a floral arrangement can be likened to an enlightened society.
"An enlightened society is where everybody is appreciated for the sacredness inside of them," said Ramos. "In ikebana we're doing it in a dish with flowers and branches."
After Ramos, Perez-Omar explained iconography.
"Iconography, more than art, is theology in a graphic form," said Perez-Omar.
After singing, Blumofe explained the power in being somewhere where something is happening.
"Bringing moments that matter into time is what it is all about," said Blumofe.
Nursing major Stacey Sutcliffe came to the event for extra credit.
"I didn't know that I would enjoy it so much," Sutcliffe said.
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