2025 Art
Gallery Showing
Theme: Perfect Peace
"I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world." – John 16:33 (TLB)
2024 - Best in Show
Theme: Heart Health
Read Vanessa Brobbel's article
"Making Room for 'Great Thoughts of God'"
Adult Category
FIRST PLACE
Artist: Daniel Brinks
Title: “Wings of Refuge”
Medium: Mixed media (sculpture): wood, cardboard, paint, metal and flowers.
Description of Artwork: When reflecting on the theme of this year’s art show, I immediately thought of the heart-shaped piece of wood that I had found inside an old hollow log. As I began to take off the rot and dead wood encasing it, I thought of how God refines us as gold so we can become more like Him. The refinement process includes recognizing that the Lord is with us; we are under His wings. Remaining under those wings involves trusting Him in every circumstance, for He is faithful and promises to bring beauty from pain. Trusting Him through that process is hard, especially if we don’t get to see any beauty from the trials in our lifetime. Christians who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus can find hope and refuge in Him who suffered also.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Artist: Carolyn Bagnall
Title: “Pure Hearts Persevere”
Medium: Acrylic
Description of Artwork: In whatever form persecution comes – whether jeering voices, physical blows, emotional harassment or financial ruin – the pure in heart will overcome. The angry faces in the waves portray their persecutors. As the Christians pray together, they single-mindedly obey God’s Word, publicly following Christ’s leading into the waters of baptism. Having counted the cost, they deliberately choose to stay the course. Why? They know that above the turbulent waves of persecution, there stands Jesus along with them, witnessing their sacrificial devotion as He did when Stephen was martyred. Our loving Heavenly Father is depicted by the white heart in the sky. The Holy Spirit of God empowers each believer in the foreground to persevere by reminding them that Jesus, their Saviour and Friend, is always with them. The pure in heart will see God…and they are blessed!
Youth Category
FIRST PLACE
Artist: Aleks Nelson
Title: “Forgiveness of God”
Medium: Acrylic
Description of Artwork: Notice the backdrop of poppies, in reference to the Biblical concept of “remembering” the martyrs. The thorns represent the hardships and trials they have endured for the sake of the cross. A living and vibrant heart fully centred on the Word of God is the lifeblood of the Christian faith, as demonstrated by the portrayed believer’s relationship with Christ and steadfast trust in Him. Aleks, whose sister died in 2016 due to issues with her physical heart, affirms that “through every moment of loss and grief, God was with me.” This young developing artist now encourages others: “You can give your struggles – and your life – to God, and He will guide and help you…. When your heart is filled with His love, He will be with you through everything.”
HONOURABLE MENTION
Artist: Abigail Canada
Title: “A Place to Belong”
Medium: Oil on canvas
Description of Artwork: Pictured here in my artwork is a heart with glowing chains flowing out of the aorta and the superior vena cava. Vines with flowers blossoming from it are growing along the chains and around the heart. Hummingbirds are sipping nectar from the flowers, while individual flower petals float in the background. The symbolism in my artwork focusses on the importance of community and how it’s integral to a healthy heart. When starting a new academic year at a different school, I initially felt lonely and nervous. It had been an incredibly difficult decision to change schools, and so I sought a lot of prayer. After responding to the urge [God’s prompting] to take a chance, it became one of the best decisions I have ever made. My apprehension was replaced by an overwhelming sense of community and belonging, making me realize how critical it is to have healthy relationships surrounding you in order to truly experience a healthy spiritual heart.
