Hope Center for the Arts

The Center for the Arts at Hope Lutheran Church in Bozeman, Montana, is a brand new initiative infusing the church with creative arts for our generation. The Center welcomes interdisciplinary artists to experiment with innovative and collaborative approaches to liturgy, contemplation, and worship. The Center sponsors residencies for artists and ensembles, hosts creative worship experiences and performances, and offers retreats, facilitation, and consulting for artists, institutions, and congregations.

Maren Haynes Marchesini, Director

Maren is a choral director, cellist, vocalist, composer, and ethnomusicologist with interests in congregational music, contemplative practices, ritual, and community formation. She has served in music ministry at ecumenical churches and seminaries in Montana, Washington, California, and Arizona, and she has a passion for diversity, community, collaboration, and innovation in church music and arts. Maren works as Director of Worship and Music at Hope Lutheran Church in Bozeman, and as co-founder and Director for The Center for the Arts. She also serves as Interim Director of the Bozeman Symphonic Choir, President of the Board for the Kaj Seifert Foundation for Aspiring Young Artists, and performs with Roots in the Sky Chamber Choir, Opus Treble Ensemble, Hemispheres instrumental duo, and with John Hermanson.

John Hermanson, Associate Director and Artist-in-Residence

John is an award-winning songwriter and composer of the acclaimed acoustic duo Storyhill, indie bands The Hopefuls and Alva Star, as well as independent and commercial music spanning orchestral, world, pop, and rock genres. John has served Lutheran communities in Minnesota, Washington, and Montana, and his sacred music is in regular rotation at centers of Lutheran liturgy like Holden Village, Christikon, and House of Mercy. Rooted in prophetic and mystical traditions, John's sacred songs raise ancient yet urgent questions about radical love and mutual responsibility. 


John works at Hope Lutheran Church in Bozeman as the Director of Sound and Technology, and as co-founder and permanent Artist-in-Residence of The Center for the Arts. He is serving as Christikon’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence in summer 2025, a partnership between The Center and Christikon Camp.

The Center is delighted to host Artist Residents in Summer 2025!

KATE PLUMMER

JUNE 16-20, 2025


Originally from Australia, Kate grew up in urban Sydney, playing in the city's international jazz, blues, and rock scene, and traveled the world as a performer. Kate developed her eclectic style by performing in Sydney with blues and jazz bands. She later collaborated with the esteemed producer Jim Moginie from Midnight Oil on two solo folk rock albums and one instrumental album. Now a resident of Helena, Montana, Kate plays with the guitar/cello duo, Hemispheres, and the soul/blues cover band, Stereo Sky. Kate recently completed her Masters in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship from George Fox University, OR, and she serves as Worship Pastor at Life Covenant Church. 


As an Artist-in-Resident, Kate will spend collaborative time with Hemispheres’ partner Maren writing new music and performing contemplative concerts. Immersed in one another’s worlds, they will listen to what the Holy Spirit reveals through these experiences, and translate those experiences into the language of notes and rhythm. 

ANDREW BARNES JAMIESON

AUGUST 9-24, 2025


Andrew (he/him) is a pianist, composer, and arranger. His work, at the intersection of arrangement, composition, and improvisation, aims to deconstruct and challenge white supremacy and injustice in musical and faith systems. Andrew wrote and produced Heaven Down Here, his 2014 avant-gospel chamber opera about Jonestown and Peoples Temple, founded Trouble Ensemble, performed over 1100 of #1000improvisations (1000 daily improvisational keyboard livestreams since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic), and collaborates on duo performances with baritone, activist, and visionaries Darnell Ishmel and Soyinka Rahim. Residing for 12 years in Oakland, CA, he served as music director for community worship at Pacific School of Religion, and as a keyboardist at Refuge United Church of Christ in Oakland. He also served as Music Director for Lorraine Hansberry Theater’s production of HALIE! The Mahalia Jackson Musical, and keyboardist for Crowns last fall with Center Rep in Walnut Creek. He is now continuing studies at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.


As an Artist-in-Residence, Andrew will explore collaborative and experimental approaches to music and worship, and lead a retreat for artists and creatives. 

Upcoming Center Events

Hang tight while we look up scheduled events...

Past Events

SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 7:00 PM • Their Sound is Gone Out: Pentecost Evensong at St. James Episcopal Church with the Chancel Choirs of Hope Lutheran Church & St. James Episcopal Church, directed by Logan Henke


FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 7:00 PM • Opus Treble Choir in concert (Erin Henke, Maren Haynes Marchesini, Beth Campbell, and Mandy Bowker) at Peace of Christ Church


THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 7:00 PM • Hemispheres Acoustic Folk Duo in Concert (Kate Plummer, guitar, and Maren Haynes Marchesini, cello) at Hope Lutheran Church


FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 7:00 PM • World Refugee Day Benefit Concert • John Hermanson & Maren Marchesini, Edis Kittrell, & Celtic Collective at Pilgrim Congregational Church


JUNE 30-JULY 3 • Maren Marchesini, John Hermanson, and Megan Makeever serving as Music Faculty at Holden Village


JULY 7-10 • Contemplative Retreat for Artists led by John Hermanson and Maren Marchesini, Christikon Camp