Open Call for Artists: competition and exhibition

We invite artists to submit artworks that explore faith and divinity while provoking the viewer to think differently about how these have traditionally been portrayed.

Artworks must be two dimensional and either representative of, or alluding to, persons or deities from any religion and from any era. A panel of judges, advised by multifaith and art experts, will award three prizes and select artworks for an exhibition at St John's Waterloo in Spring 2025. All work will be judged on the integrity to the exhibition theme, the innovation of style and technique as well as the creative skill in responding to an inter-faith or racial justice narrative.

Racial justice and inter-faith integrity are the central inspiration for this open call and subsequent exhibition. Working ecumenically and across faiths, St John's Waterloo and the Catholic Bishops' Conference, advised by Art + Christianity, are seeking to raise awareness, understanding and mutual respect of our collective witness in the UK. We aspire to create a richer dialogue about how we see and understand faith and divinity and the value of creativity based on different faiths, cultures and experiences.

Photos of artwork should be submitted by 11.59pm on Monday 11th November 2024.

There will be three small cash prizes awarded to three artists on 4th March 2025 as decided by a panel of judges: 1st Prize of £1,000, 2nd Prize of £750 and 3rd Prize of £500. For more information and criteria, click HERE

Panel of judges: The Right Revd Peter M Brignall (Chair); Monica Bohm-Duchen; Graeme Mortimer Evelyn; Alexis Stones and Hassan Vawda.

Exhibition venue and dates: St John's Church, Waterloo from 4th March 2025 to 27th April 2025.

Cloud of Witnesses is funded and supported by Art + Christianity; God who Speaks; St John's Church, Waterloo; The Catholic Bishops' Conference; Culham St Gabriel Trust.

For more information, please contact Fleur Dorrell - fleur.dorrell@cbcew.org.uk