Water StationsIn celebration of World Water Day 22nd March I am curating an exhibition of art by fellow alumni from Chelsea College. Artists: Michelangelo Arteaga, Kelise Franclemont, Marilyn Collins with Annalouise Oakland, Marcela Montoya Turnill, James Pimperton.Private View: Sunday 19th March at noon Please RSVP reganenquiry@outlook.comExhibition Open: 20th March - 31st March 9am - 1pm or by appointment.Emmanuel Church West HampsteadLyncroft GardensWest HampsteadLondonNW61JUph 0207 435 1911DirectionsAn introduction to the Water Stations project at St Paul's Cathedral London for October 2017.
A Year of Mercy
Our Lord of Mercy
Tempera and gold leaf 21 cm x 30 cm
2016
Early 2016 Monsignor Roger Reader, Head Chaplain for Prison Chaplaincy in England and Wales commissioned me to write an icon to commemorate The Year of Mercy promoted by Pope Francis. This icon shows Jesus represented as the Pantokrator the All Knowing or All Mighty. He wears dark crimson and blue robes symbolising his humanity and his divinity. In his left hand he holds an open Bible turned to John 14:6. His right hand is raised to bless all who stand before him. From a distance his gaze appears to look beyond us (the viewer) reminding us as we approach him with our own personal prayers and petitions to remember those people and the world around us who also in need of our intercessions. However as you drawer closer his gaze becomes more direct more focused on you the viewer. It is not confrontational but a rather a welcome and invitation to be still and spend time with the Lord. The lettering either side of Jesus is old Greek and translates as the first and last letters of his name. The letters inside the halo basically translate as a verb ‘to be”. The two medallions gilded with silver leaf are windows into God’s grace through the gift of forgiveness and mercy and the petitions of Our Lady symbolised in the rosary. The gold leaf used represents the eternal light of heaven where no shadows are cast, all is light.
The icon was later blessed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols Archbishop of Westminster. Prints of the icon were then reproduced, delivered and installed in every prison chapel in England and Wales.More information can be seen herePrints for sale here 
Cardinal Vincent Nichols Archbishop of Westminster.
Monsignor Roger Reader and Cardinal Vincent Nichols Archbishop of Westminster.
Icon Painting Course - Emmanuel Church West Hampstead
I am leading an icon painting course starting January 2017. It will be held in the recently renovated Emmanuel Church West Hampstead which now has wonderful new community space and underfloor heating!The class begins the 28th January 2017 and is for adults with any artistic ability or none! Cost is £250 with all materials included.Book your place by emailing reganenquiry@outlook.com
Map to Emmanuel Church West Hampstead.
Connect:Katowice London Exhibition
Press Release!
Connect: London Katowice!British artists: Paul Abbott, Marilyn Collins, Sarah Faulkner, Kelise Franclemont, Joseph Lichy, Regan O’Callaghan, Shadi Mahsa, Alex Roberts, Jonathan Slaughter, Laura Solomons, Louise Wheeler, Adam Zoltowski.Polish artists: Mariusz Maslanka, Ewa Kozera, Magdalena Sierpinska, Karina Kaluza, Monika Mysiak, Wojtek Kazimierczak, Joanna Zdzienicka, Aga Piotrowska, Marcin Czarnopys, Agata Lezuch, Agata Szymanek, Daria Walusiak, Travel Agency Collective, Izabela Leska, Sybilla Skaluba, Anna Rakoczy, Monika Krason, Dagmara Jemioła-Hryniewicka.Curators: Oksana Smirnova, Pawel Mendrek.The Connect:LondonKatowice project’s aim is to create a discourse between the artist, the space and the audience, surveying the balance between what is outwardly-facing and what we keep to ourselves via a British-Polish exchange, collaboration and display. The experimental nature of the project is aimed to reflect the interconnection of the roles of artists and curators coming from very different backgrounds. A series of artists' partnerships (of recently graduated, MA Chelsea College of Arts, UAL alumni with current Academy of Fine Arts, Katowice art students – ASP) already carefully created by the curators witnessed the beginning of the dialogue in August–November 2016 being given the opportunity to question the foundational role of perception in understanding their own worlds and the worlds of others. This cross- student, cross-graduate and community opportunity of exchange intends to open up further outreach and education avenues, offer discourse with far-ranging age groups from the elderly to teenagers, vulnerable or over-looked groups, and re-look at local heritage, ancestry, British- Polish past relationships and our present, common European concerns via a plethora of interactions and broad creative means and results; from painting, graphics and performance to digital methods.Workshop dates: 1–8 December open to the public daily 10am–12pm & 2pm–4pmPrivate view: 8 December 6pm–8-30pmExhibition dates: 9–16 December open to the public daily 10am–6pm
Community event - Artists’ Tour with Q&A, families welcomed: 10 December 2pm–4pm, somerefreshments will be available.Address: Ply Gallery, Hornsey Town Hall Art Centre, The Broadway, Crouch End London N8 9JJ, LondonAbout the Venue: Ply Gallery, Hornsey Town Hall Art CentrePly Gallery is housed within the iconic Grade II* listed Hornsey Town Hall, built in 1935 and the first major Modernist example of architecture in the UK. Now a successful community arts project renamed Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre and run by ANA Arts Projects Ltd, it is dedicated to creating platforms for various events and arts throughout the year as well as providing studios for a broad range of creatives. Ply Gallery is a modern contemporary art gallery committed to showcasing all genres of art within its natural light filled 200sq ft. The gallery has a dedicated projection room, sound art facilities and has previously exhibited St Martins UAL, Professor Jon Bird and acclaimed artist Sadie Lee amongst others, while also ensuring community, education and charity exhibition opportunities over 2016.Public talk: 7 December 4pmAddress: Chelsea College of Art and Design, 16 John Islip Street, London, SW1P 4JUFor further information please contact, the British-based curator, Oksana Smirnova oxana181185@gmail.comhttps://connectkatowice.wordpress.com/
Long Island Residency - The Gift of Hospitality.
On my first Sunday at Trinity - St John Church, in the Diocese of Long Island a little girl from the congregation gave me a dandelion after the morning service. It was a simple and beautiful gesture one which I found rather moving.This little act of kindness reminded me of a sermon preached by a Methodist Minister friend on hospitality. She recalled a situation witnessed years previously when a young woman passing a church had been drawn inside by the activity of people taking their Harvest offerings up to the altar. The young woman looked around for something to offer. Having no produce or foodstuffs she plucked some dandelions from the edge of the pavement, entered the church, walked to the altar and lay her offering down on the altar steps. The minister and his helpers continued to receive the congregation’s offerings creating a lovely display in front of the altar. The dandelions were ignored and left on the steps.A sad tale reminding us that a failure to give thanks for even the smallest of offerings can sometimes be caused by a lack of empathy, creativity or hospitality.Back in London after three months in Long Island I reflected on my time in the U.S. It had been a busy residency with lots of travelling, workshops, collaborative art projects, preaching, finally concluding with an exhibition. One of the most memorable experiences was being invited to the Annual gathering of the Unkechaug Tribe. The Chief Harry Wallace asked that I open the ceremony with a prayer/invocation, a great honour. I witnessed on the Poospatuck reservation an openness and acceptance of people which crossed boundaries of race, creed, and social status. A wonderful example of hospitality. Indeed during my time in Long Island I experienced much goodwill, hospitality and enthusiasm. I also felt supported in the ministry I led. The Diocese and the Mercer School of Theology along with the parish of Trinity - St John supported and funded the residency. My flights, my accomodation, studio space, expenses, materials were all provided and I received an honorarium. Similar to my residency in the Diocese of Ontario in 2014 I felt appreciated. People respected what I did, they understood it as ministry and responded positively.It isn’t always like this though. Self employed I seek commissions, work and funding to support myself in what I am called to – an art ministry. For me, being an artist and a priest is intrinscally linked, they are one and the same thing. Understandably not all people appreciate or respect this but there have been times unfortunately when I have come up against fellow clergy who have not only been openly dismissive and negative but also sometimes blatantly undermining. For example a fellow priest who commissioned me to write an icon for their parish became extremely indignant when contacted about payment particularly when asked why this was going to take six to seven weeks even though the finished (discounted) icon had been delivered two weeks previously. The same priest who also knew I sometimes live off each cheque and who in delaying payment was ultimately denying me the ability to pay my rent and buy food. Sadly this is not my only negative experience with regards payment! Thankfully though there is a law which protects the self employed which states invoices for work done must be paid in 30 days. However this still doesn't stop it happening. I have come to learn that when a poisonous dart is directed my way, a lack of professionalism or simple common courtesy, it motivates me to strive and move forward rather than be downtrodden and impacted by toxic behaviour particularly when it comes from other priests.Canon Mark Oakley once said to me, priesthood is not defined by parish ministry and he is right and yet I wonder if some parish clergy are not just creating their own little kingdoms where they can feel safe and wanted and in some cases superior. It is well known that some parish priests are highly dismissive of self-supporting priests like myself and that our ministries in their eyes are not valid. Bishop Richard upon hearing my musings responded, “of course some priests do make idols out of their parishes.”To temper all this I thank goodness for colleagues who have shown collegiality and encouragement over the years. The Bishop of London has been a wonderful support both morally and practically, directing commissions my way, writing references and letters of support, giving grants and even offering studio space in his home! Most of all it has been his words of encouragement that have meant the most. Then there are the colleauges and friends who have opened up their homes asking only for affordable sometimes, nominal rent. The priests and teachers, who have invited me to their parishes, Diocese, and schools to lead art workshops and residencies. I am incredibly grateful.In a months time I am flying to Australia where I have been invited by the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne, The Reverend Dr Andreas Loewe to lead an art residency as part of the Cathedral’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Part of the residency will be the chance to exhibit artwork I have created over the years, a little retrospective in a way. This will also be an opportunity to reflect on a ministry that has granted opportunities and taken me to places I would never have imagined. May I always be thankful for these opportunities, the hospitality and generosity I experience and for the spirit which these things are given, including the simple things, the little gifts, the dandelions.Episcopal Journal articleLiving Church article