My Spiritual Life

In this theme, pupils might think of the meaning of spiritual life for them. Is it about prayer, or doing justice? Worship, or helping others? What is the spiritual life of their local faith communities? Or of the non-religious? And how do they see their own spirit, their own spirituality? A spiritual image, and a written reflection on what makes it spiritual will be a winning combination.

A Just World

This theme is about how religions seek justice. Pupils might show a faith based charity in action, Muslim Aid, Christian Aid or one of many others. Or they might give an artistic reflection on their own hopes for 'making poverty history' or 'seeing justice for all of the world's people'. Good work will express clearly a link between faith and action, between the teaching of sacred texts and a modern problem, or between prayer for peace and action for peace.

Telling it my way: Stories of faith

In this theme, any faith story being studied in RE can be explored or analysed by pupils, young and old, who express their own ideas and insights into the story. They might ask 'Where does a turning point occur in the story?' or 'What makes this story popular?' or 'What impact does this story have today?' Some will respond to Moses, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Gurus, the stories of Jesus or the Buddha. Others will make spiritual links to the Prodigal Son, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or the life of Gandhi A profound image, with a clear explanation will go far!

Celebration!

In this theme, pupils are invited to express their responses to special days, festivals or celebrations. Work might refer to Eid, Wesak, Christmas, Divali or Yom Kippur. Or any of a host more festivals and feasts. Recalling the story, or catching the thrill of celebration, the magic of the feast, are the guiding ideas. Spirited art which shows links between pupils and festivals of faith is especially welcome. Tell us what your image means as well.

Where is God?

In this theme, pupils are invited to think about the question 'Where is God?' Some stories from the faith communities answer this question. Many pupils will have their own answers. Agnostics and atheists may say 'we don't know' or 'nowhere'. Winning work in this area will mix elements such as talking about God - or to God - doubt, theology, seeking, sensing or listening to God creatively. Pupils' own views, and the answers of one or more religions, both have a place. This is our most popular theme.

•  The competition is open to all pupils aged 5-19.
• Pupils should write briefly about their art work. Some suggested prompts for this follow below, but free writing is encouraged.
• Entries should not be larger than A3 in size. Good digital photos of 3-D entries are welcome.
• Schools may send no more than 8 entries to the national competition. School based or local judging can take place before these are sent.
• No entries will be awarded prizes unless they arrive at NATRE on or before 31st July 2007.
• All entries must have the pupils' name, age, school address and (where possible) email address clearly marked on them (on the back is fine)
• Entries via ICT and other multimedia approaches, and group entries, are encouraged.
• Judges have often awarded commendations and prizes to pupils from SEN settings.
• Entries become the property of NATRE, the National Association for Teachers of RE. They may be used in web and other publishing.
• Winning and commended entries will be added to the Art in Heaven web gallery.

Send your entries to:

Art in Heaven,
PCFRE / NATRE
1020 Bristol Road,
Selly Oak
Birmingham B29 6LB.

Sponsored by the Westhill Trust and Christian Aid.

Entries via email - digital photography of 3D entries has been popular in previous competitions. Send to:

Further information and details of Spirited arts: http://www.natre.org.uk/spiritedarts