*culture is not optional

Collaborative creation

Part 1 of 6

by Christopher Nonhof

When I was a freshman at Sheboygan County Christian High, the school had a total of 92 students. It has grown tremendously since that time, hiring new teachers and establishing new programs. One example has been the art program, thanks in part to the work of Ron Van Der Pol. Ron attended a smaller high school than I did (about 70 kids). He never took an art class until he was in college. He simply enjoyed drawing.

Ron attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa for one year before transferring to Central Washington University, a much larger public university. Ron honed his art skills there, but found that the gifts he had recently developed seemed to have little practical connection to the continued cultivation of his spiritual life.

Elmer Yazzie

Then, during Ron?s first year as an art teacher in central California, he met Elmer Yazzie, a Navajo Christian artist from New Mexico. It was at this time that he learned what it meant to not only create, but to live in the Spirit as a co-creator. Elmer became the first Christian artist Ron knew personally, and eventually became his mentor?something he hadn?t had before. Elmer helped him understand that vision and response come from God, pointing to a quote by David Ring: ?God does not ask for our abilities; all He asks for is our availability.?

Elmer Yazzie was responsible for broadening Ron?s artistic horizons, visual symbolism of his faith, and ultimately, he was the motivator for Ron?s sermon illustrations.