Sacred Spaces: A Sharing Through Photography – October 5

On display in Channing Social Hall between services on Sunday, October 5.

Sacred Spaces: A Sharing Through Photography was a project of the interfaith group Friends for Good consisting of members from Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Unitarian-Universalist congregations in Dallas. The purpose of Friends for Good was to spark friendships between people who may not normally have a chance to spend time together to explore common ground.

The photography project, completed in 2019, expanded on the purpose of Friends for Good to increase communication and understanding among those of disparate faith communities. Traditionally, a sacred space is defined as a place of holiness, often designated by an official religious body. In modern life it can take many forms and can be any place. The very act of photographing a sacred space can be an act of recognition and reverence. Photography, like all art, is a form of self-expression. The images in this exhibit are intimate and evocative, often challenging stereotypes and assumptions.

The subjects submitted for this exhibit ranged from a temple, church or mosque to a park, quiet nook, a favorite place in nature, or an everyday space in the home. Images in the Sacred Spaces exhibition are personal, not institutional, and convey not only a sense of the space, but also share a little about the personality of the photographer. These images often evoke a spiritual connection rather than portray official emblems of religion.

“At a time when there is divisiveness and misunderstanding among groups of different faiths, Sacred Spaces gives us a personal view into the religious lives of our neighbors in North Texas;’ says Peter Poul ides, photographer and curator of the Sacred Spaces exhibition. “The exhibition encourages people to ask themselves, “What space would I consider sacred to me?”