There was a bounty of fresh vegetables laid out on the counter before us. Yellow squash, zucchini and heirloom tomatoes sat alongside four large butternut squash proudly making their first appearance of the season at the farm stand down the road. Andi Ashworth and I stood in the Art House kitchen donning aprons and discussing our game plan for creating dinner: a simple supper of herb roasted chicken, sautéed veggies and baked butternut squash.
I had arrived in Nashville only an hour earlier and couldn’t think if anywhere else I would rather be after a stressful week. I could feel myself relaxing as I stood over the farm sink washing the grit off our soon-to-be-chopped veggies and staring out the window at the beautiful garden in front of me. On the other side of the sink, Andi sliced up heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, and artfully arranged a savory bite to welcome our friends driving all the way from Durham, North Carolina.
There was joy in the making.
We were not only making a meal, but a welcome for our weary travelers. With antique tablecloths and a mix of brightly colored dishes, we were making a table setting, beckoning them to sit down and relax just as I had hours earlier.
The simple act of making a meal together, of creating for our own joy and for the good of those around us, is the heart of why Art House exists. We believe using our creativity for the common good points to the core of who we were created to be in this world.
Our hope for Art House Dallas is that we can be a community where you can explore how you have been uniquely fashioned to live an artful and faithful life, and be alongside others who encourage you in the process. Whether you are making music, a welcoming home, a new business or a meal for a small group of friends, we want Art House to be a place that helps you experience joy in the making.