This session will explore the relationship between music, well-being and societal advancement. The influence of music will be examined from the perspective of the Bahá’í writings and academic literature. Musical excerpts with a positive impact will be shared from a variety of genres including country, hip-hop, and classical, helping to shed light on the questions under consideration. Through guided discussion, participants are invited to, together, gain a deeper understanding of the concepts presented and to reflect practically on how music with a positive effect can be increasingly created and shared.
Enhancing community through the power of the arts is encouraged in the Ridvan Message of 2023. Visual artists Garry Berteig and Lorenzo Dupuis offer a collaborative audio/visual presentation to assist individuals and communities explore this directive. They have noted that communities create art and in turn art creates communities. As a result of this reciprocity, both art and community share the ingredients of love, purpose, guiding principles, humility, integration, and diminished hierarchy. These are essential in both and are working templates for one another.
Building Vibrant Communities Through Art is an experiential workshop grounded in Bahá’í principles of collaboration, connection, and consultation. Participants will engage in reflective practices, dynamic art-making, and meaningful dialogue to explore how creative processes can inspire community-building efforts. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, attendees will generate insights and practical tools to foster unity, strengthen connections, and nurture vibrant, spiritually grounded communities. This interactive session invites participants of all artistic abilities to experience the transformative power of the arts in creating spaces for collective growth and learning.
