RWAF Fellows Past & Present
Class of 2024-25
Azell Duncan
Church Placement: East End Fellowship
Role: Worship Artist in Residence
Age: 27
Hometown: Midlothian, VA
Testimonial: “Over the past nine months, I’ve had an eye-opening experience getting to know the East End community. Building relationships with the people and learning the heartbeat of the church was wonderful. It was also a joy to serve as an artist, helping to shape the Christmas service and contributing to the Easter service.
My favorite moments as a fellow were the roundtable dinners. Each week was full of wisdom and insight from different artists as we shared a meal together.”
Bryson Hedges
Church Placement: Third Church
Role: Photographer in Residence
Age: 23
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Testimonial: “Throughout the Richmond Worship Arts Fellowship, I got hands-on experience making art displays and documenting a big move back into Third’s newly renovated church building. Alongside the photography and staff experience, I’ve also grown in my faith through the Leeland Seminary partnership and the wonderful people I’ve met. Elena, as the director of Ruakh Arts, has an amazing talent and passion to grow and develop young artists and help churches grow into creative congregations. With the connections I’ve made and the impact of this program, I can’t express enough how amazing this experience has been for me. Check out my website, tbhedges.com, for more information and samples of my photography!”
Lily Gray
Church Placement: First Baptist Church, Ashland
Role: Worship Arts Curator
Age: 23
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Testimonial: “Ruakh Arts is a well designed program. We took seminary classes (for credit!) and applied that learning as a part of a faith community. My theatre background led to a variety of projects - I wrote poetry, calls to worship, a short play, prayers, and helped design services. Some of my favorite activities were painting, teaching the youth creative lessons, and being part of the choir.
Each church was a healthy place to learn and make an impact.”