Arts in Teaching and Service
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said…: “All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit. When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies. Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose. When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvellous pictures. These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God.”
Lady Blomfield, The Chosen Highway, p. 167
Dramatic Reading Gives History an Artistic Flair in Cedar Rapids

Roger Rasmussen and Doris Dejwakh dramatize the life of Howard Colby and Mabel Ives, July 2015
Friends & Fun: Craft Night

Craft night, hosted by Jan King… June 2012
A Brand New Day

Janine & Phil Staniszewski and John Andreini shared their music in the 1970s…
“Journey of the Soul” Performed in Des Moines, 1973

Visiting Baha’i writer, director, and cast from Illinois perform, from the Des Moines Tribune, May 26, 1973
Seals & Crofts at State Fair, 1973

Seals & Crofts perform and offer “rap session,” from Des Moines Tribune, August 11, 1973
Quilted Wall Hanging Raises Money for the National Fund, 1995

Peggy Cheney created this stunning, machine-embroidered wall hanging…
“Humanity’s Wings,” an Animated Story

by Margery Davis
This story came to Margey in a dream. For more about Margey, go to the “Biographies” page under the “Iowa Baha’is” tab on this site.
Iowa Baha’i Roadshow, 1970s

During the 1970s, a campaign of “Baha’i Roadshows” was active around the country…
Mesbah Prosser’s Art

Mesbah Prosser, is a 31 year old Baha’i artist who lived in West Des Moines from 1997 until 2022…
Mark McDowell, Musician, Composer, Choir Director

Mark McDowell grew up in Iowa…
Terry Ofner, Musician and Poet

by Diane Findlay
Many of my early memories as a seeker and new believer involve Terry Ofner, strumming his guitar…
Arts Firesides, 1990s

by Jan King
It was my bounty to be a part of the Arts Fireside presentations during the mid-late nineties….
Baha’i Choir Performs in Muscatine, 2000

Probably the Cedar Rapids Baha’i Choir at the Muscatine Art Center, April 9, 2000
Nancy’s Poetry by Nancy Braun

I have been writing poetry since high school and became a Baha’i in 1975 when I was 21…
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