Future Van Goghs, Rembrandts, and Picassos from across the Diocese of Brooklyn are encouraged to submit their work for The Tablet’s annual “Christ is Risen” art contest for a chance to win cash prizes.
Young artists can showcase their talents by creating artwork celebrating Christ’s resurrection. It’s a joyful way for students to celebrate the blessed event by creating images that reflect the true meaning of Easter.
For more than 20 years, The Tablet has partnered with the Archbishop John Hughes Knights of Columbus Council No. 481 on the Easter art contest, in which hundreds of Catholic school students from across Brooklyn and Queens participate. Their handmade works will be submitted to The Tablet, whose staff members will judge the faith-based creations.
Former Archbishop John Hughes Council Grand Knight Vincent DiBenedetto said the art contest is a powerful way to reinforce faith.
“Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” he said. “The belief that Christ has risen is central to our faith and celebrated with joy and reverence. Our Catholic school students help to remind us of the significance of Easter.”
The art contest began when The Tablet’s Editor Emeritus Ed Wilkinson formed a camaraderie with then-Grand Marshal of the Knights Camillo Casano, who generously donated awards and cash prizes to students who created faith-based artwork inspired by Scripture.
Twice a year, young student artists at Catholic academies, schools, and parishes are invited to create their own interpretations of the themes “Keep Christ in Christmas” and “Christ is Risen,” focusing on the spirits of those seasons.
RELATED: 2025 ‘Christ Is Risen’ Art Contest Celebrates Student Artists
“The contest is a fantastic opportunity to evangelize to Catholic school students,” said Michael Gray, editor of The Tablet. “It is the continuation of a time-honored tradition of The Tablet recognizing our Catholic school students within the Diocese of Brooklyn.”
View some examples of student submissions from the 2025 Easter Art Contest.
Father Guy Sbordone, the chaplain for the John Hughes Council of the Knights, attended last year’s art contest and helped motivate the students to follow their faith. “Did you read the Bible? Did you watch an Easter movie?” he asked. “It all gives you the inspiration to create such beautiful art.”
SUBMIT ARTWORK: thetablet.org/christ-is-risen-easter-art-contest-2026/
Students from several diocesan schools celebrated a significant achievement at last year’s awards ceremony as talented young artists from St. Saviour High School, Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School, St. Bernard Catholic Academy, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy, St. Stanislaus-Kostka Catholic Academy of Queens, St. Peter Catholic Academy, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy, St. Saviour Catholic Academy and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy, took home the top prizes.
The students use their artistic gifts to create art that celebrates the glory of Christ’s resurrection. Some dappled their canvases with paint; some used charcoal, and others demonstrated their skills through elaborate sketches and other forms of traditional art.
All entries will be judged based on adherence to the theme (Christ Is Risen), originality of the works, and demonstration of artistic ability.
CLICK BELOW FOR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND AWARDS CEREMONY DETAILS
