Celebrating faith and creativity at Jubilee of Artists

Mar 22, 2025

By Trasilla Annette
The Church of St Francis of Assisi (SFA) hosted the Jubilee of Artists, a full-day celebration that highlighted the contributions of artists in glorifying the Lord. This event showcased a diverse range of artistic expressions, including visual art, auditory art, and meditative (zentangle) art.

Over 20 artists from various parishes gathered to participate in the event on March 8, which began with a welcome speech by parish priest Fr Paul Cheong, OFM, Cap. This was followed by a praise and worship session led by the musicians from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. A few artists then took the stage to share their personal journeys — revealing the origins of their passion, how they discovered their chosen medium, and the divine calling they felt from God.

One such artist, Norah Khor, shared her journey of struggling to stay motivated while working on murals depicting the 20 Mysteries of the Rosary for the Church of St Ignatius in Petaling Jaya. Despite facing internal challenges, she persevered and completed the murals. She revealed that the parishioners’ admiration for her work reignited her passion for art, allowing her to fall in love with it once again.

Next in line was a performance by the illustrious Francissca Peter, who graced the stage with one of her hit songs, Sekadar di Pinggiran, along with a selection of beautiful church hymns. Throughout her performance, she engaged with the audience, answering questions and emphasising the importance of allowing youth to explore their talents within the safe confines of the church. Additionally, a choir of students from underprivileged communities, shared their powerful voices, filling the church with sound that resonated effortlessly, even without the aid of microphones.

While all the artists showcased their work in the JPII Hall, various workshops were held on the floors above. In the acrylic bottle painting workshop, participants created and decorated bottles with their own unique patterns, which they were able to take home. Meanwhile, the candle-making workshop taught attendees how to craft beautiful candles using only a thin layer of tissue and baking paper.

The event proved to be both inspirational and enriching for artists and non-artists alike. As one of the featured artists, Anna Faustina (@thewaywemend), succinctly expressed in her Instagram reel: “When engaging with other artists and seeing their creations, it made me realise one thing: art goes far beyond creation. Each artist plays a unique role in giving voice to something greater – it can be the light and salt, a bridge, a mediator, and a vessel for healing. [...] Art and faith are truly interconnected; art is a medium of reconciliation and inner healing in a wounded world.”