During the renowned Marian apparitions of Lourdes and Fatima, God entrusted children with the task of helping to evangelise the world. Today, in a smaller but similar manner, children in Australia are evangelising their families and communities through religious art.
The Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition is an annual event that commenced in 2006. Last year, more than 560 primary school children from the Archdiocese of Sydney, the Diocese of Wollongong and the Diocese of Bathurst took part in the exhibition, creating a wide range of artworks based on verses from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Their creations, which included drawings, paintings, collages, origami and clay sculptures, were accompanied by individual reflections on the Christmas story, demonstrating their unique perspectives on the Nativity. Students focused on the journey to Bethlehem, the Annunciation, the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Wise Men, among other Gospel scenes.
John Carolan, a year 5 student at St Pius X Catholic Parish Primary School in Unanderra, was one of 32 award winners. He said working on his art during the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged him to connect his work with those who are suffering.
“It reminded me to value God’s gifts that we sometimes forget, like health and freedom. Each brush stroke was like a little step on the road to Christmas,” John said[i].
Students from St Joseph’s Primary School in Molong, in the Diocese of Bathurst, produced several award-winning entries in the competition. Teacher Carrie Williamson said the school had been eagerly participating in the competition since 2013.
“I have a passion for visual arts so from the very first competition I saw it as an opportunity for students in primary school to create a really high-quality artwork and to be part of a prestigious competition,” she said.
“Each year the quality of the artwork improves, and students find it an exceptionally rewarding process. They enjoy the challenge, not only to be creative but to reflect on the Scripture passages and engage with the Advent message of Christmas.”
Although entries in the competition normally close in term 4, Ms Williamson said students at St Joseph’s often asked to start their artworks almost as soon as school returns at the beginning of each year.
“Our students are extremely enthusiastic about competing in this competition,” she said. “We see it as a major event in the school year and students look forward to participating, so much so that most are willing to take time out of their lunch break to work on their artworks.
“All of the students are highly committed to the process and aim to create an artwork that is original and something that they can keep forever. They are more committed to this project than any other religious or art project that I have ever been involved with.”
By displaying their artworks at home, the children are a means of evangelisation to their family members, friends and visitors, particularly when given the opportunity to explain their work and its connection with a passage from the Gospels.
Ms Williamson said each child’s own faith journey also benefits from the process of producing their piece of art.
“I definitely find this process brings a deeper understanding and is a tool for spreading the message of Christmas,” she said. “Through the process students conduct extensive research and explore and express their faith. I find they ask many questions and become more willing to share their own experiences of God in our world.
“Students are often asking about the meaning of different Scripture passages which leads to discussions regarding faith and I find my students ponder more deeply about God and the wonders he works in our lives.”
The students’ reflections, which accompany their art, offer a glimpse into how young minds perceive the events of the Gospels. Some of the reflections express a profound simplicity of understanding, such as the winner of second prize in the year 5 competition, Rosalia Bombara from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Enfield, with her painting The Internal Bond of Love:
I have placed the baby Jesus wrapped in the arms of His mother similar to the shape of a heart to symbolise the love between a mother and child. This also demonstrates the bond with our mothers who are always in our hearts. Mary is the greatest of all mothers and ‘full of grace’ as God lived within her. I used light around Mary and Jesus to show that she was filled with the Holy Spirit and bright colours to reflect the joy she felt when Jesus was born.
Ms Williamson said the competition had highlighted to her the capacity of religious art to bring a Scripture event to life in the mind of a child, which may not have been possible through reflecting only on the written text.
“I find some student’s interpretations very innovative as they have a really good ability to see things differently,” she said. “This process is also a great way for students to reflect on their personal lives, on the true meaning of Christmas and on what God means to them.”
As the Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition enters its 17th year, its organisers are hoping it can continue to be a source of inspiration, encouragement and evangelisation to students, families and schools.
“I hope that the art exhibition will continue to provide a meaningful way for young people to reflect upon the key messages of the Christmas story,” Sydney Catholic Schools director of mission and identity Anthony Cleary said.
“Art has long been the medium through which one communicates beauty and truth, and the contemplation of beauty can stir a desire for God within us. This underpins the true value of the Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition.”
Words: Matthew Biddle
Images: ‘The Path to Jesus’ by John Carolan, St Pius X Catholic Parish Primary School, Unanderra
‘Devotion, Beauty and Faith’ by Max Bowman, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Molong.
‘The Internal Bond of Love’ by Rosalia Bombara, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Enfield.
[i] https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/general-news/christmas-art-competition-brings-joy-to-students-after-challenging-year/