Exploring Art, Faith, and Community with Calvin and Nelia Kimbrough: Key Lessons From "To Be and Do" Podcast

This episode of the "To Be and Do" podcast is a heartfelt and deeply personal conversation between host Phil Amerson and guests Nelia Kimbrough and Calvin Kimbrough. Together, they open up about the transformative power of art in their lives, their ongoing commitment to faith-based community work, and the gifts and challenges faced in today's troubled world. Here are three key takeaways from their conversation that will resonate with anyone interested in creativity, service, or spiritual growth.

1. Art as a Path to Freedom and Connection

Nelia Kimbrough shares her journey into the art world, describing how her lack of formal art education led to a spirit of exploration and resourcefulness. She speaks about discovering adult education classes and how that small opportunity blossomed into a lifelong passion for creating—often with unconventional materials like church bulletins and even recycled items. One standout story is when neighborhood boys asked if "you can make anything in the world in here," to which she replied—with a sense of possibility—yes, "as long as it's out of clay or wood." For Nelia Kimbrough, this sense of creative freedom is not just about making things; it’s about making meaning and connection in community spaces, and transforming mundane materials into something beautiful and lasting.

2. Art as Witness and Relationship

Calvin Kimbrough discusses his dual passions for documentation and portraiture, especially within the context of ministries like Patchwork and the Open Door Community. For him, photography and videography provide a way to document important events—food pantry initiatives, marches, and neighborhood happenings—but also to nurture relationships by capturing the dignity, story, and humanity of those he encounters. He recalls a key question posed by a man named Charles: "What are you looking for when you take our picture?" Calvin Kimbrough's response—"I'm one, looking for what you want to show me, and secondly, looking for what I can see"—speaks to the respect and empathy embedded in his practice. Art, in this sense, is both an act of witness and mutual revelation.

3. Resilience, Community, and Hope for the Future

In the second half of the episode, Nelia Kimbrough and Calvin Kimbrough reflect on the challenges facing people of faith today, drawing parallels between current times and biblical experiences of exile. Nelia Kimbrough stresses the importance of building "communities of love and nurture and resistance," finding courage and sustenance in faith and mutual support. Meanwhile, Calvin Kimbrough points to the inspiring commitment of younger generations who champion social change, even amid gerrymandering and systemic challenges. Their hope stems from seeing communities—like Patchwork and their own congregation—continue to nurture inclusion, equity, and justice.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a powerful reminder that art is more than an individual pursuit—it’s a communal language and a force for transformation. Whether through hands-on creativity, documentary photography, or the work of organizing for justice, Nelia Kimbrough and Calvin Kimbrough embody the idea that to "be and do" means to join creativity with compassion, art with action. As Phil Amerson encourages, may we all find the connection in our lives between what we see and what we do with our hands, letting it inspire our communities and our spirits.