The Initiative will accept submissions through March 18, 2025, with winners expected to be announced by Easter 2025.
Launched in 2019, the Initiative aims to reinforce the universalism of Catholicism and the internationalism of Notre Dame through an expanding collection of diverse international crucifixes, including unique pieces from Australia, Japan, Peru, Ukraine, Angola, Ireland, Chile, and more. Through its student art competition, it hopes to fulfill another important aspect of its mission: to connect Catholicism, the arts, and student research, including creative work.
The contest seeks original student artwork that is well-crafted, aesthetically impressive, and meaningful, telling a story about a particular artistic style or religious theme. Submissions may be two- or three-dimensional, but they should be durable and theologically appropriate. The Initiative hopes to offer an open forum for creativity, expression, and reflection, encouraging student involvement in its work and engagement with its mission. Winning pieces will join the Initiative’s collection, including being displayed on campus and featured on the website, as well as earn a monetary prize of up to $500.
This second competition follows the successful inaugural student art contest last spring, in which students K. Mae Harkins and Elijah Mustillo were selected for their detailed and thoughtful works. Their pieces are now displayed in O’Shaughnessy Hall Rooms 115 (Harkins) and 110 (Mustillo), and more details about their submissions can be found in the winner announcement article.
More information on this year’s competition can be found on the Initiative’s website at campuscrucifixes.nd.edu/contest. Interested students can also sign up to receive deadline reminders through this form.
Originally published by at campuscrucifixes.nd.edu on January 08, 2025.