What's on the Horizon?

How do communities use local art to keep culture alive, strengthen faith, and inspire learning? Grounded in the sights, sounds, and textures of everyday life, this evening workshop uses real stories and examples to show how people express their identity through music, dance, visual art, language, drama, food, and other cultural forms.

Guided by four core principles—letting communities lead, listening deeply, participating actively, and passing knowledge to the next generation—this session explores how creativity acts as a powerful tool for communication, preservation of knowledge, and positive change.

Who’s It For?

• Creatives: Artists, musicians, and storytellers eager to see how imagination fuels ministry and everyday life.

• Cross-Cultural Explorers: Those looking for fresh, organic ways to connect with local communities.

• The Curious Body of Christ: Anyone who loves deep conversations, local culture, and building meaningful bonds with the people around them.

Key Takeaways

• Overview of the EthnoArts process and its practical applications across Asia.

• Actionable ways to integrate EthnoArts exploration into your own life and ministry contexts.

Sign up today at tinyurl.com/ethnoartsnov2026

Speaker’s Profile

Mary Beth Saurman is an international consultant in EthnoArts and Ethnomusicology with SIL Global, bringing over 30 years of experience in Asia. She holds a PhD from Bern University and is a trained Music and Creative Arts Therapist, specialising in integrating cultural arts into literacy, education, and trauma recovery. Together with her husband Todd, she designs and leads arts, healing, and community development training programs globally at both short-term and Master’s levels.

Shaped by a global upbringing, Mary Beth attended 12 different schools in 12 years, and spent much of her youth overseas. Mary Beth and Todd have been married for 43 years. After working at a Mennonite psychiatric hospital in the US for many years, they moved to Asia over 32 years ago. One of Mary Beth’s favourite moments in a day is when she gets to watch a sunset and have a “thanking God moment” for the beauty and for the gifts of the day.