Dappled Things, a Catholic literary magazine, is calling for submissions in the first annual Sacred Heart Art Competition.
Organizers hope to promote a deeper reverence and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by challenging artists to create new images of the Sacred Heart.
According to their website, Dappled Things “is the hub of the new renaissance in Catholic art and literature, featuring essays, interviews, reviews, fiction, poetry, and visual art.”
“We are a journal of ideas, art, and faith for those who find that hope springs eternal. For those who see the other side and strike out for it.”
Founder and publisher of Dappled Things, Bernardo Aparicio García, reflected that the Sacred Heart devotion is “one of the most widespread and beloved Catholic practices,” but there have been historically few depictions of the Sacred Heart which “could be counted among the great works that exist within the treasury of Catholic sacred art.”
He also pointed out that standard depictions of the Sacred Heart tend to be wholly inadequate, and even detrimental in inspiring the faithful in their love for Christ.
“Some of the most widespread images present sentimentalized portraits of a Jesus with doe eyes, Pantene hair, and what appears to be rouge on his cheeks, which are at least as likely to discourage devotion as to promote it,” García noted.
To remedy the shortcoming and pay due honor to the Sacred Heart, Dappled Things hopes that the submissions they receive for the Sacred Heart Art Competition, “with God’s help, will help more of the faithful enter ever deeper into this devotion.”
“We are looking for images that bring the Church’s artistic treasures to the service of Jesus’ Sacred Heart,” García said regarding artistic guidelines. “The winning entries, therefore, will not only adhere to the highest artistic standards, but must be images of a nature that is conducive to devotional practice.”
Artists are encouraged to study the rich history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart as well as the practice of art within the context of the Church’s traditions.
Competition judges will choose three cash prize winners and recognize up to seven honorable mentions.
The submission deadline is March 31, 2024. More information about the contest and submission requirements can be found here.
