Celebrating the Birth of Christ
Submit photographic images of original 2D and 3D artwork reimagining the birth of Christ within an unexpected landscape while remaining faithful to the Gospel story, including at least Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 32 days left
- Entry fee
- $10
- Award
- $1,000
- Location
- Houston, Texas
- Exhibition window
- Dec 12, 2026 → Dec 13, 2026
- Applicants notified
- Nov 2, 2026
About
Overview
Great Joy for All People is an annual juried exhibition inspired by Saint Luke 2:10, celebrating the birth of Christ reimagined within unexpected landscapes. All qualifying submissions must include at least Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Any medium is accepted, including mixed media, collage, assemblage, acrylics, oils, watercolor, ceramics, woodworking, metal, enamel, paper, drawing, textile, glass, needlepoint, and embroidery. Original 2D and 3D work must be complete, presentation ready, previously unpublished, unexhibited, and not produced for sale; nor will it be published or reproduced for sale prior to December 31, 2026.
Key Dates
- Submit application and photographic images by October 16, 2026
- Jury dates: October 17 – November 2, 2026
- Artists notified of selection/non-selection by November 2, 2026
- Selected artwork ship by November 14, 2026, or hand deliver by November 21, 2026
- Exhibition: Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 13, 2026
- Return of unsold artwork by year end
Eligibility
International call open to all individuals and collectives. Artists who have participated in previous Crèche Festival Houston exhibitions are eligible to participate.
How to Enter
Submit one piece of artwork per application. Each application must include one photographic image, an artist statement, and answers to additional questions related to the submitted artwork. Artwork will be chosen from photographic images through a blind jury process. There is no limit to the number of applications an artist may submit.
Fees
- $10.00 per application
- Each application concerns one piece of art only
Prizes
- Grand Prize: $1,000.00
- Two additional cash prizes: $500.00 each
- Honorable Mention ribbons
- Prizes announced prior to opening day of exhibition
Online Auction
Selected artists may choose to participate in the festival's online auction. The artist receives 80% of sale proceeds; Crèche Festival Houston retains 20% to benefit Bright Stars of Bethlehem, a program in Bethlehem, Palestine. In 2025, 40% of eligible art sold at auction with prices ranging from $75.00 to $400.00; average sale price was $169.00.
Delivery & Logistics
Handling and shipping costs to and from Crèche Festival Houston are the artist's responsibility. Artwork may be delivered in person from a Houston, Texas location coordinated with the festival organizer.
Exhibition Location
Parish Hall on the Rice Village campus of Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, Texas.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 713-560-3628
- Award
- Grand Prize of $1,000.00; two additional cash prizes of $500.00 each; Honorable Mention ribbons. Selected artists may also participate in an online auction.
- Entry fee
- $10.00 per application; each application concerns one piece of art only
- Sales commission
- Organizer retains 20% on sales
- Theme
- Reimagine the birth of Christ within an unexpected landscape while remaining deeply faithful to the Gospel story, placing the universal Christ into a specific world and incarnating the Nativity story in your own context.
- Eligibility
- International call open to all individuals and collectives.
- Audience
- Open to all (individuals and collectives)
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.