Visual Language

Teaching in a preschool classroom with most of the four-year-olds only speaking Japanese was my first professional experience out of college. Panic quickly set in when I realized what I’d gotten myself into. I do not speak Japanese! But those sweet children and I got along splendidly. Through pantomiming, demonstrations of small and large motor skill activities, picture books with amazing illustrations, and a lot of art supplies set out to use we learned together and made a community in that little room three mornings a week.

Meaningful art

Gifted to me by one of those first students, this art hangs in Carrot Top Studio today. It’s a lovely reminder of a happy teaching time and the power of art as a universal language.

Visual learning is powerful. Studies show that pictures and images make ideas more understandable and memorable while also making communication more efficient and actionable.

Visual connections in worship

Stoles help tell the story of our faith and they connect us to the church year calendar while being a symbol for leadership and one who is called to ministry.

Reportedly people remember 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read, and 80% of what they see and do. So including visuals in your faith community seems like the smart thing! Are you doing this on your worship bulletin, on the big screen, in your newsletter, on the Communion Table, and in the textiles of worship? I’d love to learn about your creative solutions for using visuals in worship! And it shouldn’t be just up to the pastor in charge to make all this happen. Consider an arts committee. Many churches have such a group but they lean heavily into the musical aspect. I can’t imagine worship without music but the visual should not be neglected. Stay tuned for another blog post about arts committees. Until then, get the latest in your inbox via the Carrot Top Studio newsletter. Give the newsletter a try! You may easily unsubscribe if it’s not for you.