Expressing the Call in your heart

What do apples, plastic aprons, broken clay pots and acrylic paint have in common? They were all a part of the Call on Canvas Art Class at the St John Vianney Regional Seminary on January 4, 2020. Competition participants and their parents attended a free one-day workshop designed to ignite their spirituality and creativity.

Jaidn Bain and his diptych

When the Call on Canvas Art Competition was launched November 15, 2019 at the Max Murphy Centre, Chaguanas, there were many questions surrounding the competition and the concept of a vocation awareness art competition.

This January art class was a component of the competition aimed at reinforcing the main goal—to help young people deeply contemplate God’s Call in their life and provide them with the opportunity to artistically express this Call.

The class began with a further explanation of the process of Lectio Divina and how the prayerful reading of scripture can inspire and promote a culture of discernment.

Felix Edinborough reminded participants of the beautiful legacy of Fr Michel de Verteuil CSSp. He also highlighted the ways Jesus used His words to inspire His disciples and everyone who would come to read the Bible.

Artist facilitator Martiza Hart-Ottier explained the foundations of fine art expression (line, form, shade and colour) using an apple drawing exercise. Anika Plowden-Corentin reminded participants that art is an opportunity to listen to God and courageously express yourself without words.

Participants were encouraged to focus on a scripture and create that vision on clay pots, canvas board and water colour paper. Participants, parents and Plowden-Corentin donned their plastic aprons and painted their inspiration.

Kerchevi Voisin paints an abstract piece representing mother and child

Participant began work on some of their submission pieces. Jaidn Bain is entered in the 11–17 age group created a diptych (two-part painting) showing that at first there can be noise in your life that blocks you from hearing God’s Call but eventually that Call becomes clear.

Kechervi Voisin, entered the 18-35 age group, worked on another of her competition pieces. Of the five Bible verses, she was inspired by Jeremiah 1:5, painting an abstract piece representing mother and child.

She chose to use this piece as she recently gave birth to a daughter. “It’s a calling to be a mom. We have our part to play as mothers, to bring our children into this world for their purpose, for their calling, chosen by God.”

Jimmia Jackson and both her parents attended. At the end of the session Jimmia left with a painted clay vase inspired by the creation story in Genesis, and her parents created their own canvas pieces. An invaluable part of the day for the parents who attended was information on art supplies and tools and ways to encourage their artistic children to combine faith and creativity.

There is still time to enter the competition as the deadline for submission has been extended to February 6. Competition organisers hope to collect at least 50 art pieces that express God’s Call on the heart of young artist inspired by either one of five Bible passages or the life of one of five saints.

Bible:
Exodus 3:4
Isaiah 6:8
Jeremiah 1:5
Matthew 4:19
Matthew 9:9
Mark 1:19

Saints
St Bernadette of Lourdes
St Rose of Lima
St Josephine Bakhita
St Kateri Tekakwitha / St Rita of Cascia
St Teresa of Calcutta

To register please call 624-0454 or email us at events.cyc@gmail.com. Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram – @generationservice / @rcyctt.