The second annual visual arts exhibition hosted by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ Office for the Mission of Catholic Education (OMCE) will be held at the University of St. Thomas’ Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art in St. Paul.
The first exhibition was held last May at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center, also in St. Paul. The May 2, 2025, event marks a new collaboration between OMCE, UST’s Office for Mission and the university’s interdisciplinary Claritas Initiative, which seeks to reclaim and illuminate beauty, goodness and truth.
The 2025 exhibition’s theme will be The Saints. OMCE officials hope that participating students “will be able to express a breadth of visual inspiration from those holy men and women who demonstrate how to remain close to God, offer their lives for others, and continue to intercede for God’s people on earth,” said Jessica Trygstad, associate director of Catholic education.
“We’re all called to be saints, and so many of us have a patron saint and special devotion to other saints,” said Jason Slattery, director of Catholic education and superintendent of schools for the archdiocese. “So, for students to incorporate personal connections to the saints into their artwork will only elevate this creative, meaningful experience,” he said. “We had such a beautiful display of student talent in our 2024 exhibition around the Eucharist, and we know students will amaze us again with their depictions of the heroes of the Catholic faith.”
An April deadline will be set for submissions. Professional judges will select finalists and winners. Finalists will be invited to participate in the exhibition and reception at the Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art on May 2, along with archdiocesan leaders and guests. A variety of awards will be presented to students.
OMCE will share more information with Catholic school leaders and art teachers. Watch for additional details at spmcatholicschools.org.
