Recently, I was given the task of writing up some notes for how 'the artist' can be a metaphor for leadership. Once Mike Cosper and I come up with the final draft, maybe I can post it here, but for now I'll just share my first thought. The first thought I had when trying to wrap my mind around this topic was to remember Adam's first words upon seeing Eve for the first time.
"'At last!' the man exclaimed.
'This is bone from my bone
And flesh from my flesh.
She shall be called woman,
Because she was taken from man."

Adam, from the start, was leading his family well from the well of joy he was experiencing. His poetry was a blessing to Eve and a spontaneous praise to God who created her.

Artists are leaders. They are at the front lines of cultural trends and artists create the contexts in which we all live our lives. Architects shape the space of our living. Visual artists can change the mood of a whole room with a small piece of artwork. Musicians shape the emotional range of our work places and our homes. Of course, the emotional range created by artists can set the tone for bitterness, or fatigue, or mindlessness, but I think it's also possible for artists to shape contexts into a tone of joy.

I chose the picture above of Jason Crigler during the installation of his current exhibit 'Ethiopia' at the 930 because I think he and the other artists that worked on that exhibit created a context for joy. Partially because of Jason's contagious smile, and partially because of his deep understanding of joy in the midst of poverty, I think the Ethiopia exhibit and the artist behind the photographs lead us toward joy.