Josh Tiessen
In 2015, Josh began working on a painting series, entitled "Streams in the Wasteland." Having exhibited his work locally, Josh’s dream was to have a solo exhibition at a major New York gallery where it is quite uncommon for Christians to have a voice. Without any promise of this, he painted in faith believing that his series, inspired by the book of Isaiah, which depicted animals in abandoned civilizations giving honor to their creating in the wake of moral decline, was an important body of work God had laid on his heart. The odds were also against Josh because he paints in a realistic style, which is often looked down upon in the contemporary art world, as well as animal art, which is often deemed 'kitsch'. After several years toiling away at the series, something happened...one of his favorite New York galleries was hosting a competition called "Search for the Next Great Artist." Josh submitted his work and was surprised when the gallery owner selected his as first place winner out of 2000 artists worldwide, and awarded me a solo exhibition at this gallery! In May of 2019 Jonathan LeVine Gallery presented Josh’s debut international solo exhibition, "Streams in the Wasteland." Josh was amazed that the Gallery allowed the stories that go alongside his paintings to be hung by the works, as many of them explain the biblical references that inspired the paintings. Josh was able to share openly about the meaning of his work in the press and media, and he is now thrilled that his painting series is culminating in a coffee table book. His hope is that sharing this story will allow people to see how God can open doors in the most unlikely places. He shares that he would have never thought a former missionary kid would end up being a professional artist in a highly secularized art world and display paintings inspired by his Christian faith. In an age where Josh feels many Christians are discouraged at the increasingly post-Christian state of North America, he is a reminder that God is still working, and he wants to encourage others, especially artists like him, to create with excellence for His glory. Art can be an incredible bridge to talk about faith in our culture. Josh Tiessen has been voted #1 Best Local Artist, added to over 60 awards and honours including IGOR Creative Achievement, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 for artistic achievement and philanthropic work. In spite of early success, Tiessen humbly acknowledges that his artistic talent is a gift from God. www.joshtiessen.com

Portage Art Group
Portage is a group of Christian professional artists and art educators from different parts of Ontario. They are focused on the therapeutic side of artmaking, seen from a Christian perspective, working specifically on artistic languages in visual art being an extension of the person of the artist, the artists’ emotional, spiritual, and physical worlds. They seek to help creatives faithfully negotiate transitions in life and so honor Christ, the original Artist, and our Redeemer through these languages, as well as how the process of art can be therapeutic for those experiencing mental health problems. http://portagesemaphore.ca