Center for Church Music: The Visual Arts
Since the Reformation era the visual arts have played a major role in worship in the Lutheran church. That continues today. Explore the following resources, awards, interviews, and news items for ideas in your own congregation.
The Arts in Worship (“In Due Season”-- Lent 2024)
This FREE collection of Lent visuals includes options for bulletin covers, children’s activity page, fabric or paper banners, projection slide, newsletter page with sample text, postcards, and social-media posts, all in editable formats for customized use.
The Arts in Worship (“In Due Season”-- Advent 2023)
This FREE collection of Advent visuals includes options for bulletin covers, children’s activity page, fabric or paper banners, projection slide, newsletter page with sample text, postcards, and social-media posts, all in editable formats for customized use.
The Arts in Worship (“In Due Season”—Year A, After Pentecost)
This FREE collection of Year A, After Pentecost visuals includes options for fabric or paper banners, bulletin covers, projection slides, postcards, notecards, and social-media posts, all in editable formats for customized use.
The Arts in Worship (“In Due Season”—EPIPHANY Year A)
This FREE collection of visuals for Epiphany Year A includes options for bulletin covers, a children’s activity sheet, and projection slides, all in editable formats for customized use.
The Arts in Worship (“In Due Season”-- Advent 2023)
This FREE collection of Advent visuals includes options for bulletin covers, children’s activity page, fabric or paper banners, projection slide, newsletter page with sample text, postcards, and social-media posts, all in editable formats for customized use.
The Arts in Worship ('In Due Season')
This FREE collection of Easter Year C visuals includes options for bulletin covers, children’s coloring page, fabric or paper banners, projection slide, letterhead and envelopes, note cards, postcards, and social-media posts, all in editable formats for customized use.
The Arts in Worship ('In Due Season')
Inspiration for this FREE collection of Lent Year C visuals were inspired by the Gospel readings for the season. Design options include banners/posters, bulletin covers, social media posts, coloring sheets, and more.
“Seen and Unseen: The Visual Arts in Worship”
Presentation: “Seen and Unseen: The Visual Arts in Worship”
Visual Proclamation of the Word, Part 1
Interview with Worship Arts Team
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Columbus, OH
Visual Proclamation of the Word, Part 2
Interview with Worship Arts Team
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Columbus, OH
Upcoming shows
Mourning into Dancing
The Good Shepherd Institute of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, has issued a Call for Entries for Mourning into Dancing, an exhibition of sacred visual art scheduled for October 31, 2022, to January 31, 2023.
Inspired by Psalm 130:11 -- You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness – the theme invites work expressive of Christian reflection on the pandemic and economic, social, and political unrest of the past two years. For an entry fee of $25, artists may submit up to three works.
News and Information
William Wolfram Student Award in Liturgical Art
Similar to the Hillert Award, this award is open to any student at a Lutheran university or seminary. The award’s name honors the distinguished service to the Church of William Wolfram, Professor Emeritus of Art at Concordia University Nebraska.
It recognizes student artists who evidence commitment to the Christian faith and practice, excellence in artistic expression, sustained connection to the liturgical worship tradition, and commitment to the creation of art purposed for use within liturgical worship settings.
The recipient will receive a certificate and monetary award of $1,000.00.
2022 Winner - Natalie Grady for her linocut, "Finished, for You"