by Jordan Crump
Wilderness Waiting: Art inspired by old songs of lament, hope, and deliverance for Adam’s race by assemblage artist Marianne Lettieri opened Sunday, March 15 at Sojourn Midtown and was on display through Sunday, May 10, 2026.
About her work, Marianne writes:
“Wilderness Waiting illustrates popular Christian songs that crossed over from religious to secular audiences and were recorded in multiple musical genres by famous performers of the 20th Century. Songs were selected for their deeply spiritual lyrics offering hope in the midst of trials and tribulations. Many have origins in the struggle for freedom and equality, some became catalysts for social and cultural change, and others have provided comfort and resilience throughout the ages. The emotional power of these old songs have the ability to unite people across different backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and shared humanity.”
Sojourn Arts had the joy of hosting Marianne for a weekend of stories, music, and art making in April.
On Friday, April 17, Marianne shared her story as an artist and believer, and a group of vocalists and musicians from Sojourn Midtown performed 4 hymns featured in the exhibit, selecting the songs based on the personal significance to them.
Jonathon Crump, Rachel Hamm, Dani Wallace, Bekah Polley, Brittany Jennings, Liz Klee, Will Meadows, Estrella Flores, and Michael White performed “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, “Be Thou My Vision”, “It Is Well”, and “Amazing Grace.”
You can view a video of Marianne’s artist talk and the musical performances on Sojourn Arts’ Instagram, here.
The following morning Marianne led 14 participants in a collage workshop in the gallery. Marianne shared her process of creating collages that explore God’s presence in the midst of lament and encouraged participants to make a collage that visually expressed the idea of hope.
Marianne Lettieri creates art with found objects and repurposed materials. Her work explores the brevity of life, human preoccupations, and shifts in cultural values associated with historical artifacts. She is interested in the interconnectedness of people, communities, and nature through time. Her work has been exhibited extensively across the country. She has an MFA in Spatial Arts from San Jose State University and BFA in Drawing and Printmaking from University of Florida. She resides near Fort Worth, Texas.