For centuries, art and faith have walked hand in hand— inviting us to transcend the everyday, marvel at life’s wonders, and to express our deepest and most important beliefs.
It’s a connection that was on full and bright display as the 2024 Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition opened at the University of Notre Dame on Sunday.
Now in its 19th year, the competition calls on students in Years 5 and 6 to showcase both their artistic talent and their relationship with their faith through the Christmas Story.
To help students see how the birth of Jesus is relevant and personal to their lives, they are invited to write a short reflection on a chosen scripture passage and create art to express this reflection. Their artworks are then based on their artistic merit and personal self-reflection.
Over 400 artworks were submitted for judging this year from students from across Sydney Catholic Schools, Catholic Education Office Bathurst and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.
Of those artworks, 92 were selected for display at the exhibition with 23 being given awards across various categories.
Ivy, a Year 6 student at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School Sefton, was the recipient of the Executive Director’s Award for her piece titled ‘The Glorious Night’, which depicts the visit of the Magi from Matthew 2:9-12.
“For this artwork I have predominantly used watercolour. Oil pastel was then applied to help blend the foreground of desert dunes and plants as well as highlighting the background of the vivid night’s sky,” Ivy said.
“Most people give Christmas gifts because it’s ‘that time of the year.’ but instead of waiting for their gift of their saviour, the Magi chose to journey through hopeless and lost times to meet him.
“I believe we should all be like the Magi by journeying our way towards hope, so then everyone will reach Jesus too.”
The exhibition will remain open to the public at the University of Notre Dame from 10am to 4pm until Saturday, 7.
