Students from two Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids have participated in a national art contest exploring poverty’s root causes and the Church’s response to it. The annual “Creating on the Margins” art contest is organized by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and is open to young people in 7th-12th grade. Artists from Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Grand Rapids and Muskegon Catholic Central participated.
This year’s Creating on the Margins art contest had the theme of “More Than a Roof”, focusing on affordable housing challenges. Pope Saint John Paul II wrote, "A house is much more than a roof over one's head. It is a place where a person creates and lives out his or her life." Each participant learned about how the Church has traditionally viewed housing not as a commodity but as a basic human right, and about the need for policies and programs that transform communities into places where all people can thrive. Then, he or she created a work of art and an essay to help others learn, as well.
Contest entries are initially judged at the diocesan level, with the top local entry sent on to the national contest for a final round of judging. In the Diocese of Grand Rapids, the local winner was Maeve P., an 8th grader from Saint Thomas the Apostle. Her depiction of a woman experiencing homelessness also earned an honorable mention at the national level.
Learn more about Creating on the Margins at this link.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 31 vibrant learning communities (26 elementary and five high schools) serving more than 6,340 preschool through 12th grade students throughout West Michigan. Our schools inspire young people to grow in Catholic faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. We partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life — that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential.