From the Manger to the HEARTh

From the Manger to the HEARTh is an international exhibition call for artwork interpreting Christ's Nativity using various media. This is the fifth year Crèche Festival Houston has displayed such artwork. The exhibition uses a blind jury process, with up to 25 artworks selected from photographic images. The historical acceptance rate is 80%.

Artists are invited to share their interpretation of bringing Christ's birth from the manger in Bethlehem into their heart and hearth—home. Work should include at least the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Any material is accepted, including mixed media, collage, assemblage, acrylics, oils, watercolor, ceramics, woodworking, metal, enamel, paper, drawing, textile, glass, needlepoint, and embroidery. Artists who have participated in previous Crèche Festival Houston exhibitions are eligible to participate. The entry fee is $10.00 per application, with up to 3 applications allowed per artist. Submissions must include 1-3 photographic images, an artist statement, and answers to additional questions.

The exhibition will be held December 13-14, 2025, at the Parish Hall on the Rice Village campus of Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, Texas. A Grand Prize of $1,000.00 will be awarded, along with two additional cash prizes of $500.00 each (one for most creative, one for best use of Christian symbolism), and ribbons for Honorable Mention. The juror is Rev. Johann Roten, S.M., from the International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton. Selected artists may choose to participate in an online auction (December 13-18, 2025), receiving 80% of sale proceeds with 20% benefiting Bright Stars of Bethlehem. Artwork must be shipped by November 15, 2025, or hand-delivered by November 22, 2025. Artists will be notified of selection by November 3, 2025.