The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, established in 1896 as Atlanta’s third-oldest Episcopal congregation, is hosting an event to raise funds for infrastructure upgrades. Titled Hear Us, See Us, Join Us, the showcase aims to modernize the church building to accommodate its largely elderly congregation and improve accessibility. Combining art, community, and purpose, the fundraiser highlights the creative talents of several contributors both from outside the church and its attending congregation.
At the heart of the event is Dr. Vicky Ogunlade, whose vision sparked the marketplace segment of the fundraiser. Reflecting on her inspiration, Ogunlade said, “For me and my husband, Alani, we were blessed with a lot of brand-new African wear that we had never been able to wear.” After approaching church leadership, Ogunlade worked with members to develop a plan to sell the items and donate all proceeds directly to the church. The marketplace allows community members to purchase vibrant garments, knowing their contributions will directly fund much-needed renovations.
In addition to the marketplace, the art showcase features the works of Dr. Yvette Stephens, a physician-turned-folk artist whose journey into creativity began during the pandemic after coming down with what she now knows was probably COVID-19, before the rest of the world knew, “When I got better, that’s when I started drawing,” Stephens said, describing how her illness and isolation became catalysts for her artistic expression. Her exhibit, Rediscover, Remember, and Rejoice in Our History, is currently on display at the Apex Museum on Auburn Avenue. Her work explores overlooked stories and figures in African American history, focusing on celebrating resilience and joy.
At the church’s event, Stephens’ contributions are housed in the Meditation Room, one of two dedicated spaces for the showcase. Her artwork is deeply personal to her, featuring wood carvings inspired by her mother, Kathryn Smith-Stephens, who is currently 90 years old and was a music minister for 50 years at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Stevens added a modern twist by including QR codes with her pieces. When scanned, these codes lead to recordings of “Negro spirituals” performed by her mother, adding a multimedia layer to the experience.
Dr. Catherine Meeks, a long-time member of the episcopal community, current member of Incarnation, and former Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, also contributed to the event in her unique way.
Bringing her passion for candle-making, a hobby she began 25 years ago, Meeks donated scented candles and personalized cards for the community, “It’s my way of being an artist. I make candles for my satisfaction and to share with people,” she explained.
The event takes place in the church’s community service building. The two-room setup allows visitors to move between the marketplace and the reflective Meditation Room, where Steven’s art lives. Each showcase element has been thoughtfully curated to highlight the intersection of art, faith, and community service.
With approximately $600 raised so far, the church has made small strides toward its fundraising goals. Proceeds from the event will go toward making the building safer and more accessible, ensuring it remains a welcoming space for all community members to enjoy.
The experience is open to the public through December 14th and is open on Sundays from 1-4 PM or by appointment. The marketplace and the church are at 2407 Cascade Rd, SW Atlanta, GA 30311.
