How do you engage with other artists, if you have an art class of one? This week’s guest, Mark Hamby, joins host Mike Smith with tips for discovering a community where the arts can thrive. Join us now, for Home School Heartbeat.
Interview with Mark Hamby
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Mike Smith:
Mark Hamby is the founder and president of Lamplighter Ministries, and he’s talking with me this week about how homeschoolers can cultivate excellence in the fine arts. Mark, last time you made a good case for community being an important part of pursuing the arts. But some homeschoolers might feel a little isolated—can you provide some guidance for finding or building that kind of community?
Mark Hamby:
Mike, last year we started what is known as the Lamplighter Guild for Creative Disciplines. We brought in master teachers who helped produce the audio dramas of Chronicles of Narnia, Les Miserables, Adventures in Odyssey, and now Lamplighter Theater. Side by side, a group of a hundred students were mentored by these masters—and not just in the dramatic arts! We brought in masters in the visual arts. You should have seen the students with their easels painting landscapes overlooking the lake and the cliffs. We also had master presentations in horticulture and culinary, videography, photography, and agriculture.
But the genius behind the Guild approach isn’t just because you have masters teach, but it’s in how they taught. There was a spirit of humility and servanthood that literally took our breath away. What we experienced at the Lamplighter Guild was the same experience, I believe, what the Queen of Sheba had when she visited Solomon. Mike, if your listeners would like to know more how their children can be a part of this collaborative community of apprentices who are relentlessly pursuing a life of excellence for the glory of God, they can go to lamplighterguild.com.
Mike:
Mark, these are terrific suggestions! Thanks so much for joining us this week! I’ve really enjoyed your insights on the fine arts, and I know our listeners have, too. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.
