PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Students from Brooklyn and Queens are being encouraged to release their inner Michelangelo, da Vinci, Dali, or Cezanne as The Tablet kicks off this year’s Easter art contest.
Young artists will have the opportunity to show off their talents by creating pieces that revolve around the celebration of 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 over 20 years, The Tablet has partnered with the Archbishop John Hughes Knights of Columbus Council No. 481 in what has become a diocesan tradition in which hundreds of students across Brooklyn and Queens compete in the annual contest. Their handmade works are digitally submitted to The Tablet, where the staff judges their faith-based creations.
Archbishop John Hughes Council Grand Knight Vincent DiBenedetto believes that the art contest is a powerful way to reinforce the faith. “Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” said DiBenedetto. “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 and that Christ has risen.”
The art contest started when The Tablet’s Editor Emeritus Ed Wilkinson formed a camaraderie with then-Grand Marshal of the Knights Camillo Casano, wherein the Knights would generously donate awards and cash prizes to students who created faith-based artwork inspired by Scriptures.
Twice a year, young student artists at Catholic academies, schools, parishes, and high schools are invited to create their own interpretations of the themes “Keep Christ in Christmas” and “Christ is Risen” that focus on the spirits of those seasons.
“The Christ is Risen art contest is a fantastic opportunity to evangelize to Catholic school students,” explained The Tablet’s Editor Michael Gray “It is the continuation of a time-honored tradition of The Tablet recognizing our Catholic school students within the Diocese of Brooklyn.”
Father Guy Sbordone, the chaplain for the John Hughes Council of the Knights, said that the art contest motivates students to follow their faith. “Did you read the Bible, did you watch an Easter movie? It all gives you the inspiration to create such beautiful art.”
Students attending grades 1 through 12 are eligible, as the contest kicks off on Monday, April 7, and runs through Easter week before wrapping up on Wednesday, April 30. All entries will be judged based on adherence to the theme (Christ Is Risen), originality of the works, and demonstration of artistic ability.
All entries must be submitted online and uploaded to The Tablet’s website with all the required information. Winners will receive certificates, along with cash prizes, and have their work published in The Tablet.
An awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30 PM at the Knight of Columbus at 7421 13th Ave. in Dyker Heights. Students are asked to please bring their original winning artwork to the ceremony for photos and coverage in The Tablet and Current’s News.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Knights of Columbus for continuing the tradition for more than two decades. I would also like to thank the Knights and Father Guy Sbordone, Chaplain of the Archbishop John Hughes Council of the Knights of Columbus and pastor at Our Lady of Grace parish in Gravesend,” Gray added.
To submit art to this year’s Easter contest, click here or scan the QR code below:
Para enviar su arte al concurso de Pascua de este año, haga clic aquí o escanee eeste código QR:
