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Exhibition postcard for Dana Ellyn's International Blasphemy Day show at the Center for Inquiry, Washington, DC, September 2009

The mission of the Center for Inquiry DC is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.

What is Blasphemy Day?
International Blasphemy Day is not just a day. It is a movement to dismantle the wall which exists between religion and criticism. The objective of International Blasphemy Day is to open up all religious beliefs to the same level of free inquiry, discussion and criticism to which all other areas of academic interest are subjected.

This Blasphemy Day event is a part of the Center for Inquiry's Campaign for Free Expression.


Artist Statement

At age 16, Dana heard her father say he believed in god and she was befuddled because the subject of belief was not discussed at any time before that. In her confusion, she would sometimes look up apologetically at the sky and say "if there is a god up there, you must understand why I don't believe in you, right? Nobody ever told me you existed!"

Dana's first real introduction to religion was through her art history classes in college. Gods and goddesses of mythology were presented as fiction and Christian themes were treated as history. But to Dana, they were all just stories.

Throughout her 20's and 30's, Dana continued her personal quest to learn more about religion and come to terms with her lack of belief. Now, she is finally fully comfortable with painting (and talking about) where she stands on religion. Dana's paintings are not meant to offend. Instead, she hopes they foster open-minded discussions. And perhaps induce a giggle or two along the way.

15% of the painting sales from this show were donated back to the Center for Inquiry DC.


Coverage

Press & Media

CNN article about Dana Ellyn's Blasphemy Day exhibition
CNN
Taking aim at God on 'Blasphemy Day'
By Moni Basu · September 30, 2009
USA Today article about International Blasphemy Day featuring Dana Ellyn
USA Today / Religion News Service
Did you celebrate Blasphemy Day?
By Leanne Larmondin · September 30, 2009
NPR article featuring Dana Ellyn's painting Jesus Does His Nails
NPR
A Bitter Rift Divides Atheists
By Barbara Bradley Hagerty · October 19, 2009
Agence France-Presse video interview with Dana Ellyn
Agence France-Presse
Video Interview — Dana Ellyn Studio Visit
2009
Pharyngula blog post about Blasphemy Day exhibition
Pharyngula / PZ Myers
Blasphemy Day Coverage
2009
Catholic League response to Dana Ellyn's Blasphemy Day exhibition
Catholic League / Bill Donohue
Response to Blasphemy Day
2009
Politics Daily article about Dana Ellyn's Blasphemy Day art
Politics Daily
Blasphemy Day Coverage
2009
The Legal Satyricon article about Dana Ellyn and Blasphemy Day
The Legal Satyricon
Jesus and His Blasphemous Nails
By Tatiana von Tauber · September 30, 2009
The Examiner article about Blasphemy Day exhibition
The Examiner
Blasphemy Day Coverage
2009
We Love DC review of Dana Ellyn's Divinely Irreverent exhibition
We Love DC
Dana Ellyn, Divinely Irreverent
By Jenn Larsen · December 8, 2009
ReadysetDC interview with Dana Ellyn about Divinely Irreverent
ReadysetDC
Words w/ Dana Ellyn + "Divinely Irreverent" Preview
By Justin Young · December 4, 2009

Video

Artist Talk at the Center for Inquiry

Dana Ellyn speaking at the Center for Inquiry DC · September 30, 2009


Download Press Release (PDF)

Exhibition

Paintings from the Show

Confessions by Dana Ellyn, acrylic on canvas
Confessions
20"×24" · acrylic on canvas
Silly Rabbi, Myths are for Kids by Dana Ellyn
Silly Rabbi, Myths are for Kids
24"×36" · acrylic on canvas
Bottled at the Source (Divine Wine) by Dana Ellyn
Bottled at the Source (Divine Wine)
10"×20" · acrylic on canvas
Jesus Does His Nails by Dana Ellyn
Jesus Does His Nails
24"×30" · oil on canvas
On the Eighth Day, God Created Life on Mars by Dana Ellyn
On the Eighth Day, God Created Life on Mars
24"×36" · oil on canvas
Blasphemy and the Bear by Dana Ellyn
Blasphemy and the Bear
20"×24" · acrylic on canvas
Saint Anthony of Padua (patron saint of barren women) by Dana Ellyn
Saint Anthony of Padua
18"×24" · oil on canvas
Adoration of the Shepherdess by Dana Ellyn
Adoration of the Shepherdess
30"×40" · oil on canvas
Spectator by Dana Ellyn
Spectator
24"×30" · oil on canvas
Meat Your Maker by Dana Ellyn
Meat Your Maker
9"×12" · pen/ink on bristol
Jesus Performs at Young Darwin's Birthday Party by Dana Ellyn
Jesus Performs at Young Darwin's Birthday Party
30"×40" · oil on canvas
Is It Working Yet? by Dana Ellyn
Is It Working Yet?
16"×20" · acrylic on canvas
Ike Forces Sally Under God by Dana Ellyn
Ike Forces Sally Under God
14"×18" · acrylic on canvas
Silly Rabbit, Myths are for Kids by Dana Ellyn
Silly Rabbit, Myths are for Kids
30"×40" · oil on canvas
Bottled at the Source (Divine Wine) by Dana Ellyn, large version
Bottled at the Source (Divine Wine)
22"×28" · acrylic on canvas
Rules of Engagement by Dana Ellyn
Rules of Engagement
24"×36" · acrylic on canvas
Question by Dana Ellyn
Question
22"×28" · acrylic on canvas
Gospel of Thomas (Jesus' Early Pranks) by Dana Ellyn
Gospel of Thomas (Jesus' Early Pranks)
30"×40" · acrylic on canvas
Inquiry by Dana Ellyn
Inquiry
12"×36" · acrylic on canvas
Waiting... by Dana Ellyn
Waiting...
32"×84" · acrylic on canvas