Solo Exhibition: 'Whispers of His Covenants' at Canon Coffee

Solo exhibition ‘Whispers of His Covenants’ by Chanel Smith is on view until August 31, 2024 at Canon Coffee (Apopka, FL), featuring 18 pieces.

‘Whispers of His Covenants’ is a reference to the intimate way God speaks to His bride, guiding them by His still small voice in seasons of trials and new levels of trust. His gentle whispers carry the force of truth which pierces through the torments of life. When circumstances beg the believer to take possession of doubt, His whispers sends tremors through the deception, sweetly but forcefully reminding His beloved of His promises. Through the paradox of fighting to remain tender during tribulations, the Son of God is made manifest in the believer, producing spiritual fruit that lasts. This body of work reflects the ferocity of fighting by faith and the prayers and revelations that arise from this experience. They are paintings of a battle cry and songs of deliverance.

Artworks are sprinkled throughout the rooms of Canon Coffee like the whispers of God following you into every space, reminding you of what He has spoken.

A Story Penned by God...

I spent New Years Eve 2022 in a room at Canon Coffee on my knees worshiping. Through the cracks of the door, in the middle of my prayer and song, I could hear the laughter and enjoyment of others. That night, I didn’t know where I was going to lay my head, I had no worry in my heart for I knew what God spoke. As I continued to stain the walls of that room with my songs, a friend opened her home to me for a transitory stay. The glory of God overtook us, left us limp and we crossed over into January 1, 2023 on the floor wailing for what felt like hours in the presence of God. After that, I was on to the next place that would welcome me and the move of God attached to me.

I moved to Orlando to complete my BA degree and my ministerial studies. Since graduating in summer 2022, my living situation changed. I had the option to move back to a city where things would be easier, but I knew that God had called me to Orlando and was drawing me into a deeper place of trust and dependency on Him.

The geography mattered to Him; this is the territory He gave me to take root and to traverse for this period of my life. I couldn’t forfeit that and I didn’t care how crazy it looked that all my belongings were packed in my car, without a clue of where to live but filled with faith. During this time, I was mistreated by others in the church, judged by even my own family, tempted by the devil to change course, and seen as foolish for trusting God in this radical way. However, my depth in God intensified and I discovered pathways in His presence that couldn’t be uncovered any other way.

He rewarded me with more of Him, secrets of His heart, the mysteries of His blood and a keener ear to His voice.

From this place, this body of work was created; a capsule of selected works from 2023-2024.

To have this collection exhibited in the very room I worshipped in, not knowing where I would live, is a story only God could write.

I knew the fruit the Holy Spirit wanted to form in me and I would not stop until that fruit was accomplished so that Christ could feast upon the garden in me. My maturity in God matters more to me than what others think. I care more about my spiritual formation in my relationship with Him than what seems to be sensical. I know what God said to me and will fight for His fruit in me.

No one is more important to me than Christ, He is above family, friends and the opinions of others. I can’t afford for my vision of God to remain obstructed. It’s simply just not worth it. He is too beautiful. He is my favourite Person and I love Him to the death.

I write this blog today, August 9th, 2024 celebrating 9 years since being baptized. My heart spills over with gratitude that He called me out of darkness into His marvelous light and that He continues to craft Himself in me.