Speaking
I have spoken nationally in churches, colleges, and universities on the subject of art and religion. I can work with your church or organization to develop a program of talks, workshops, and/or exhibitions that would be appropriate for your needs. As a college professor, program head at a denominational school, artist, art historian, religion scholar, and long-time Christian I have a wealth of experience to bring to the table.
Thank you for stopping by considering working with me. I am honored.
An Overview Of This Page
This page provides an overview of what I have to offer, along with a taste of what you can expect. You can click on the links below to take you directly to the relevant sections.
- What You Can Expect
- A Little About Me
- Most Requested Talks
- Academic Lectures
- What Others Are Saying
- Calendar
- The Next Step
If you want to check my availability for your event, church, or college, or if you have some questions before proceeding further, please click here:
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What You Can Expect
Here’s what you can expect from me:
- Prompt, professional replies to your phone calls and email messages.
- A personal phone consultation or in-person visit prior to your event, so we can better understand how I can best serve you and your audience.
- An announcement about your event on my blog and social media channels. (This assumes that your event is open to the public and you want additional visibility for it.)
- A professionally prepared, dynamically delivered presentation tailored to your audience.
- A custom resource page, exclusively created for your attendees. It will include the slides I used in the presentation, along with links to books, articles, and other resources I believe will be helpful.
- A quick follow-up communication after the event, to make sure I met your expectations. (I also want to know how you think I can improve.)
A Little About Me
I have been speaking publicly for more than 20 years ranging from keynoting conferences to small church groups. Also, I have appeared on television, radio, and been profiled in newspapers and magazines.
The last 25 years of my life have been dedicated to art. I specialize in the relationship between art and Christianity. I hold an MFA in painting, MS in art history, and am a Ph.D. candidate in art history and aesthetics focusing on the relationship between art & religion. My teaching has been at both religious and secular universities in studio art, art history, and religious studies. Currently, heads the art program at at Lee University in Cleveland, TN.
My wife, Pamela, and I have been married for over thirty years and we have five children together. Our family presently resides in South Eastern Tennessee. In my free time, I enjoy reading, basketball, and watching fantasy and science fiction.
Talks
Visual Arts & The Church
What does scripture say about the visual arts? This lecture looks at the approach scripture takes to art, including unexpected arts such as abstraction and performance art, and puts forth a rudimentary theology of art. Also examined, is the problematic relationship between art and the Evangelical church.
To listen to a sample of this talk, please click the link below to hear Rondall’s presentation of “Visual Arts & The Church” as it happened at The Cove, a Presbyterian church in Santa Rosa, CA. Also below, there is a PDF of PowerPoint that accompanied the lecture.
Visual Arts & The Church (Audio)
Visual Arts & The Church (PDF of PowerPoint)
What is Art? What is Christian Art?
You often hear individuals say, “That’s not Art!” So, what is art? How do we approach this delicate question? Further, how does art relate to the Christian faith? Some ask, “What is Christian Art?” The lecture establishes a working definition of art and a lens through which to think about the question of “Christian Art.” There are two versions of this lecture one which looks at the issue of decorum through the lens of the Renaissance nude and theologically significant work that pushes against notions of decorum. The second version contains no nude imagery historic or contemporary.
What is Art? What is Christian Art? (PDF of PowerPoint)
The Image of Christ, A History
The image of Jesus Christ has a long history. But it is a history that many in the church do not know. This lecture traces the history of depicting Christ, the true icon, and its theological implications. The lecture dissects the second commandment, along with Old Testament graven images. It examines early images of Jesus and traces the history of these depictions to the present. Further, the lecture examines the challenges that the depiction of Christ brings to the contemporary church.
This is a three-week series on the history of the image of Christ. This can be abbreviated to a single lecture.
Learning about God from Art
This lecture is perfectly suited for a church setting. It explores insights into the Christian faith that can be learned from art all the way from the nature of faith to the nature of God.
Why Art?
Why would a person pursue a career in the arts? Why not something more practical? This talk examines the issues of calling and vocation through a look at Rondall’s decision and discernment process. The choice for the arts involves implications for the artist, the church, and the broader culture, all of which are explored in this talk.
Artist as Theologian
This lecture looks at the ways in which art is intrinsically theological and the implications this has for the artists of faith. It looks both at what this means for the Church and the responsibility which such an understanding bestows on the artist.
Artist as Theologian (lecture outline)
Artist as Theologian (PDF of PowerPoint)
Artist Talk
Rondall Reynoso relies heavily on metaphors relating to theological, philosophical, and sociological themes. His Artist Talk delves into the story and deeper meaning of his work. The talk tracks his development from the earliest stages of his artistic production to his most recent work. This talk has often accompanied an exhibition of his work but can also be a stand-alone talk.
Artist Talk (PDF of PowerPoint)
Academic Lectures
Reynoso has delivered academic lectures in a broad variety of venues and is willing to develop specific talks related to his academic research. Reynoso is currently prepared to deliver academic lectures on the following subjects.
Christian Spirituality in Modern & Contemporary American Art- This is a survey of the often problematic relationship between art and Christianity throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. A special emphasis is paid to how Christian spirituality manifested visually during this time.- Philosophical Aesthetics- Reynoso views philosophical aesthetics through the lens of his Axis Theory which organizes aesthetic categories into the intellectual and the sensuous axes. This lecture introduces this discussion in an attempt to reconcile contemporary idioms with the philosophical tradition.
- Visual Theology- Reynoso presents an argument for an expanded view of theology which includes non-verbal ways of knowing and non-discursive ways of communicating. He argues that some truths can be more fully communicated through the visual arts than through verbal language.
- Evangelical Christs- This lecture looks at five images of Christ that are reflective of evangelical conceptions of Jesus Christ.
- The Christocentric Kinkade- In this lecture, Reynoso explores the conception of Christ as presented in the paintings of Thomas Kinkade.
- The Theological Aesthetic of Nudity in Evangelical Christianity- Reynoso examines the theological approach taken within evangelicalism to nudity in art. The lecture looks at several contemporary artists but with a special focus on the work of Edward Knippers.
- The Iconography of Edward Knippers- This lecture looks at the traditional and innovative iconography employed by the controversial and important religious artist Edward Knippers.
- The Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery- The lectures Reynoso has most commonly delivered relate to his research on the history of the impressive and idiosyncratic Bob Jones University collection of religious art and the broader cultural programming at Bob Jones University. Lectures relating to the Bob Jones collection are appropriate for both academic and general audiences and are relevant far beyond the scope of American Fundamentalism.
- Xu Bing- The work of the famous contemporary Chinese Xu Bing is heavily influenced by a Buddhist mindset. This lecture examines how this plays out in his work.
- Six Mormon Christs- This lecture looks at five images of Christ which are reflective of Mormon conceptions of Jesus the and historical development of this visual culture.
Christian Spirituality in Modern & Contemporary American Art- This is a survey of the often problematic relationship between art and Christianity throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. A special emphasis is paid to how Christian spirituality manifested visually during this time.Testimonials
“Christian artists are usually not encouraged and recognized within the community of their own local churches. This creates a barrier for the visual arts to enter into the discussion of worship and spiritual formation. Rondall Reynoso helped take down this barrier when he presented his lecture on “Art & Scripture” at our 5th annual Christ-Centered Art Show held May 20-21, 2013. His presentation was informative, engaging, and helpful for Christian artists and the average church member. We look forward to future conversations with Rondall.”
-Dr. Merril Smoak, Associate Pastor, Music & Worship, Trinity Church, Livermore, CA
“I was fortunate enough to work with Rondall to set up an art installation and lecture at our church. Rondall was thoughtful and responsive in his communication – a privilege to work with and get to know. His pieces are exquisite and thought-provoking. His lecture on “Visual Arts & the Church” was greatly received by our congregation and local community. In both his visual art and lecture I deeply appreciated being given a forum to think more deeply about the arts and their role in the world. The many questions and comments that resulted from his lecture were an obvious reminder that we don’t give these topics a forum often enough, even though many are hungering and thirsting for an opportunity to wrestle with issues of art and theology. As an artist, I was personally inspired to work harder and think more deeply, so as to be faithful to the great Creator. I highly recommend doing anything you can to get Rondall involved in the life of your church, college – wherever. His creativity and thoughtfulness are a great inspiration.”
-Krystle Jeffers, Coordinator of Worship Arts and Music at The Cove Presbyterian Church in Santa Rosa, CA
Calendar
2023
November 10, “Savages & Princes: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes,” Museum Center at 5ive Points, Cleveland, TN
March 12, 19, & 26, “The Image of Christ Catacombs to the Modern Day, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland, TN
2022
November 18, “Howard Fenster Rock n’ Revival Symposium,” Museum Center at 5ive Points, Cleveland, TN
October 28, “Incarnational Art,” Neighbors United Counseling & Referal Services Art Festival, Cleveland, TN
October 7-8, Lee University Symposium, Cleveland, TN
May 1, 8, & 22, “Stories Toldin Glass: Interpreting the Stained Glass at St. Luke’s,” St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland, TN
2021
August 26, “Christian Spirituality and the Visual Arts,” Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art, Piedmont University, Demorest, GA
2018
September 20, “Artist Round Table”, The Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA
August 2, “Chicano Art & Religion”, Lecture for two UC Berkeley classes, The Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA
June 19, “A View from the Bench: Social Justice in Art, Law, and Religion of the Chicano Community”, The Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA
February 17, Intersections Art Conference, Oak Hills Church, Folsom, CA
2017
September 28-29, “An Argument for Visual Theology,” 11th Verge Conference, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC, Canada
July 24-30, Printmaking: Etching & Drypoint workshop, Grünewald Guild, Leavenworth, WA
July 17-23, Introduction to Abstraction workshop, Grünewald Guild, Leavenworth, WA
June 22, “Why Art?”, Bay Area Creatives at Menlo Church, Menlo Park, CA
April 30, Art & Faith Tours Presentation, Touchstone Christian Fellowship, Sacramento, CA
2016
October 22, “Emmanuel Garibay: Ethnicity and Gender in the Contemporary Image of Christ,” The Conference of Faith and History, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.
2015
June 22 – 28, Introduction to Abstraction workshop, Grünewald Guild, Leavenworth, WA
June 13, “The Evangelical Aesthetic of Nudity,” Christians in the Visual Arts biannual conference at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
April 18, “Six Mormon Christs: Art as a Reflection of LDS Faith,” Mormon Scholars in the Humanities Conference at LDS Institute in Berkeley, CA.
March 21, “Red Carpet over the Sawdust Trail: The Bob Jones University Art Collection,” American Academy of Religion Western Regional Conference, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
February 21, “What is Beauty?”, William Jessup University, Rocklin, CA
2014
March 15, “Artist as Theologian”, Intersections Conference at William Jessup University, Rocklin, CA.
February 9, Reception for exhibition at Art & Soul Gallery, Oak Hills Church, Folsom, CA
2013
October 20, Interview in Worship Service, Valley Springs Presbyterian Church, Roseville, CA
September 8, Exhibition with Pamela Reynoso Begins, Valley Springs Presbyterian Church, Roseville, CA
April 20-21, Arts Conference, Trinity Baptist Church, Livermore, CA
June 24-30, Printmaking Workshop, Grünewald Guild, Leavenworth, WA
2012
October 5, “Bringing Men to Christ: Cultural Programming at Bob Jones University in the Mid-Twentieth Century,” The Conference of Faith and History, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA.
November 11, “Visual Arts & The Church,” The Cove Presbyterian Church, Santa Rosa, CA
The Next Step
Thanks again for considering me for your event. You can take the next step by checking my availability. Just click on the orange button below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
