Featured Artist, Tori Lane by Vicki VanArsdale

When Tori Lane came to Convergence in 2009 she never imagined how her life would change in such a short time. She says her life “has expanded and become one of potential and beautiful possibility” which is a “drastic, wonderful change.” Not only is she an active member of the Convergence community, but Lane serves as the City of Alexandria’s Poet Laureate, and she also mentors emerging artists and is an advocate for sexual assault awareness.

“Convergence is home. It’s the supportive place that nurtured me through my darkest times, encourages me to go out and make a difference with my work, and is the safe place I return to. The community at Convergence is the truest family I’ve ever known. I wouldn’t be the artist and woman I am today without it.”

Lane has been a member of the Church at Convergence since 2010 and currently serves as a Ministry Fellow, coordinating church services and arranging guest lecturers. She also facilitated playdates, which focused on the importance of creative play for spiritual and artistic growth. Participants were encouraged to let go of inhibitions and connect more deeply with each other in preparation for worship.

From the summer of 2010 through the summer of 2012 Lane was the Artist in Residence at Convergence, a role that gave her time to focus on artistic craft and take herself seriously. She says she first achieved a breakthrough in the Artist’s Way class by daring to call herself an artist, a moment that has changed the trajectory of her life.

For the Waking Dead Zine Project. Photo by Heather McPherson.

“Convergence is a place of honest dialogue between the arts and the church, and between artistic disciplines,” Lane says. “It’s also a place to ask questions and deeply engage the process of exploring those questions with a community of people who don’t settle for the trite or easy answer.”

Lane speaks about the Christian experience through the lens of the arts and encourages discourse between the arts and theology. She also speaks about sexual trauma, sharing her experience as a victim of sexual abuse through poetry and storytelling. Her zine, For the Waking Dead, which is sponsored by Convergence, promotes sexual assault awareness in the DIY community.

This northern Virginia native graduated from Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, VA with a B.A. in English. She’s also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies at the John Leland Center.

Her goals include promoting interdisciplinary artistic collaboration and communication, helping to expand and develop the Lab All Ages and Do-It-Together (DIT) ethics in safe, creative communities, and continuing to work with communities to help them provide resources for victims of sexual trauma.

With Cheryl Anne Colton, Cultural Arts Administrator and Diane Ruggerio, Deputy Director Office of the Arts at Poet Laureate Announcement, City Hall.

As Poet Laureate for the City of Alexandria Lane promotes poetry and literacy in schools and at special events city-wide such as Earth Day and Alexandria’s birthday celebration. Her three-year term began in April.

Her first book of poetry, Falling Season, was published in 2012. Other projects include A Yearlong Winter, which is a collaboration with Rebecca Vs. Mexico, and writings for Beautiful Ruins, which deal with the reconciliation of trauma with faith and the church. She is also working on street art-inspired mixed media pieces. All of her artistic and creative work is branded under The Fusion Project, which was birthed during her artistic residency at Convergence. Please visit The Fusion Project web site for more information.

There’s no limit to what this accomplished artist, poet and advocate can do. She says, “Convergence is home. It’s the supportive place that nurtured me through my darkest times, encourages me to go out and make a difference with my work, and is the safe place I return to. The community at Convergence is the truest family I’ve ever known. I wouldn’t be the artist and woman I am today without it.”