Coming in 2025: "Behold God"
Our Next Traveling Exhibition

"Behold" is an elegant word, and God is an elegant God.

When we behold something,
we immerse ourselves and treasure the moment.

Ah, yes.
God in all His majesty deserves that kind of attention.

Let us be stunned by His beauty, enraptured by His holiness,
and captivated by His love.

Let us behold God without any boundaries or barriers.

Let us let go of anything and all that would hinder
our abandonment to the greatest Love in all the universe.

Come away, Beloved, and behold your God.

To participate, please see the call for art below and note the following dates:

February 1, 2025: Submit registration form to greatcommissionartists@gmail.com.

April 1, 2025: Submit artist’s statement and high-quality image of finished art.

April 14 -18: Provide finished artwork.

Contact greatcommissionartists@gmail.com at any time to receive your registration form.

Call for Art 

Sponsored by Great Commission Artists

www.greatcommissionartists.com, greatcommissionartists@gmail.com

 

“BEHOLD GOD”

 Art Journey & Traveling Exhibition

2025-2026

 

Beholding is not a passing glance nor a fleeting glimpse.

Beholding is enamored and active attention.

Beholding is full-stop reflection.

Beholding is detailed focus.

Beholding transforms us and our lives.

Beholding is sustained intimacy.

Beholding is what our God deserves.

 

Mark 6:31-33 NKJV

Jesus said to them, “Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.”

He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

Psalm 23:6 MSG  

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and him with me. 

 

Theme

We invite you to behold your God as never before. Sit down with Him. Take time to experience Who He is and how much He fervently loves you. Ponder. Meditate. Love Him back. Appreciate. Tarry as did the disciples in the Upper Room. Don’t hurry. Go deep. Then proceed to create something from the secret place that reflects the mystery of His majesty, gives Him the honor He deserves, and draws other people to behold Him for themselves.

Project Description

Participants are asked to visually express their thoughts and feelings in the artwork they create in response to the questions: 

“How do you behold God in your everyday life?”

“How does beholding God change you, your perspectives, and values?” 

“What does it take to behold God in the little details, the seemingly small and mundane things that surround us?

How does beholding God teach and guide you through all the seasons of life?

“What is there about God that impresses you most?” 

“When you behold God, what do you notice about Him that you haven’t appreciated before?

“Why is beholding God the most important part of your day?”

“How do you behold God in the tough times as well as the joyous?

“How do you behold God in the people around you?”

 

The Creative Process Will Have Five Steps:

* Select a Scripture or Scriptures that support the theme and upon which to base your design.

* Develop a message that reflects how you have experienced, interpreted, and applied the exhibit theme.  

* Select the best applicable medium.

* Produce the art according to the exhibit criteria.

* Write an artist’s statement sharing the Scripture or Scriptures that inspired your work, creative process, and the meaning behind the design of the artwork. This statement will be displayed in the galleries next to the work of art. We consider these statements to be a vital component of the exhibit.

 

Artwork Expectations

Artwork is expected to:

* Mirror your relationship with Christ and speak Biblical truths.

* Be original, creative, and reflect your best artistic efforts for God’s glory. 

* Bless, inspire, and communicate our Christian faith to the community at large, in person at our exhibits as well as online via our website, social media, and outreach events.

 

Schedule: Please mark these three 2025 dates on your calendar

1.     February 1—Submit registration form and frame size. This does not require a finalized plan or title. What we want is your commitment to participate and a general description of your intended project.

2.     April 1—Submit artist’s statement and high-quality (resolution) image photo of your finished art.

 3.     April 12—Prepare the following for pickup:

a.     Art to be delivered or picked up according to arrangements made via email.

b.     Signed liability releases attached to the respective art.

       Note: Send all submissions and correspondence to greatcommissionartists@gmail.com

 

Artist Eligibility 

* We accept Christian artists from all denominations.

* We ask that all students  (9th to 12th grade) have a Christian art teacher, a church minister or Christian mentor sponsoring them who will actively guide them through our process and cosign the registration form. 

 

Artwork Criteria

* 2-D artwork: drawing, painting, collage, prints, and photography. 

This year, depending on interest, we may accept pottery or sculpture for a table at our launch in May, but we will not include those items in the traveling exhibit. If the May exhibit launch interests you, we will send criteria to you separately at registration.

* 2-D maximum size: 18” x 24”; minimum size: 12” X 12”

* Artwork shall be framed with black metal or wood frame and glass or plexiglass.

* If student artists are unable to frame their art, Great Commission Artists will provide framing with ready-made frames or framing kits. 

* No political statements, opinions, or messages, please. We want our art to draw attention only to God.

 

Opening Public Gallery Display

Opening Gallery Date and Location: May 17-18, 2025, Centennial Park, Hughes Pavillion, Edina, MN 

The traveling exhibit will travel to local churches through the summer of 2026.

Please be advised that we need to keep and share the art for a full year.

 

Additional “BEHOLD GOD” Scriptures

PSALM 16:8 NIV

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

PSALM 27:4 ESV

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

 PSALM 27:7-8

Hear my voice when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me. You have said, “Seek my face.” My hearts says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.

 PSALM 54:4 ESV

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

PROVERBS 4:20-21 NIV

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

PROVERBS 8:33-35 NIV

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.

 JEREMIAH 32:27 NKJ

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”

ISAIAH 6:1 NKJV

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

ISAIAH 40:9-11 ESV

Go on up to a high mountain,O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah,“Behold your God!”
Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms;he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

ISAIAH 43:19 ESV

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

 ISAIAH 49:15-16 BSV

Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

ISAIAH 65:1 KJV

I was sought by those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name.

ZECHARIAH 9:9 NKJV

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you;He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.

JOHN 1:29 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

MATTHEW 3:17 NKJV

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

MATTHEW 6:34 MSG

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

JOHN 17:24 NKJV

Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 ESV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

HEBREWS 12:1-2 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

REVELATION 1:7 NKJV

Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye will  see him, even they who  pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him. Even so, Amen.

REVELATION 21:3-4 NKJV

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

REVELATION 22:7 ESV

Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

  

Thank you!

We appreciate your support for the amazing privilege of serving our community through Christ-centered art. 

Please contacts us at greatcommissionartists@gmail.com for the registration form and further information.

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Communications Advisor

Debbie Gustafson

Debbie Gustafson has been an active member and participating artist since the first Psalms Exhibit in 2012. Consistently, she has supported our events and exhibits with wisdom and excellence. Her wisdom and faithfulness to our vision prompted us to seek her support as a board member, and she graciously accepted although she also serves her church and community in a number of other roles, including arts and education. In addition, she is an original member of our blogging ministry that now comprises our “Fresh Oil” artists group.

Programs Advisor

Roberta Sawyer

Roberta (“Bobbie”) Sawyer describes herself as “a lifetime dabbler with a love of experimentation with learners young and old.” Currently an elder at Prairie Community Church in Eden Prairie, Bobbie has participated in numerous types of ministry. She has taught art seminars for children including her “Art in the Park” outdoor summer series, served as a scenarist for church skits, plays and musicals, led Bible study fellowships for 12 years, and created backdrops and props for Vacation Bible Schools. She has also served as a literacy tutor and office support staff for South Hennepin Adult Programs in Education. Also an original Great Commission Arts core group member, Bobbie co-coordinates the monthly Art Klatch painters fellowship group. As a board advisor, she contributes much prayer, a tenacious faith, and a love for people and artists of all definitions.
Outreach Advisor

Geraldine Antoinette Mehta

Geri Mehta has served in numerous ministry positions, which include teaching Sunday school at Way of the Cross church in Blaine, directing girls programs at Hospitality House in north Minneapolis, serving on the mission field in Guatemala and India, and co-leading a home church. She has also been active in community organizations such as Jaycees and Toastmasters.
Geri brings a clear sense of vision and discernment to the board, especially in the area of outreach. She has a passion for promoting the gospel with compassion, love, and respect. As a painter and original Great Commission Artists core group member, Geri has served GCA faithfully in numerous capacities. Her wisdom, like her art, inspires us to seek God’s heart in all things.
Pastoral Board Advisor

Reverend Roger Kuhn

Roger Kuhn has extensive ministry experience, including numerous pastoral positions in New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio, and Minnesota. Most of his career he has served as lead pastor and has particularly enjoyed discipling new believers. Currently, Roger serves as the National Pastor of Member Care and the Director of Church Relations at International Ministerial Fellowship, the licensing organization for W.I.N.D. of the Spirit Ministries. Additionally, his pastoral responsibilities include all IMF Alliance Churches and 200 Lead Pastors. With deep faith and a thorough understanding of ministry, Roger provides pastoral supervision, support, and prayer for W.I.N.D. Ministries, including Great Commission Artists.
Founder & Director

Marianne McDonough

Licensed for ministry in the creative arts through International Ministerial Fellowship, Marianne McDonough founded Great Commission Artists and serves as its director in addition to directing   W.I.N.D. of the Spirit Ministries, the 501 (c) (3) umbrella ministry. Believing the arts have a unique capacity to exalt God and inspire His people, Marianne loves to encourage and mentor Christian artists toward the full expression of their gifts, especially in the context of worship. Marianne’s experience includes writing in secular and Christian venues, leadership in worship and dance ministries, teaching worship arts seminars for children, and sponsoring visual arts workshops and exhibits.

In 2010, she initiated “Art in the Beauty of Holiness” seminars, specifically designed for visual artists and subsequently produced in DVD format. After the formation of GCA and its core group in 2011, she produced four more DVDs featuring artists’ interviews and three other seminars: Worship in the Potter’s Hands, Waterfalls with Rev. Paul Oman, and Banners with Elsa Hammond. She also created a cable television presentation on art and worship. 

Starting in September of 2012, Marianne inaugurated the first Great Commission Artists Exhibition, “Psalms Exhibit and Creative Arts Celebration,” at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. This event included a juried exhibit, continuous original worship music provided by local composers, and dance presentations. Since then, as of spring of 2023, GCA has presented eleven exhibitions with multi-generational artist participation, including numerous high school students from local high schools. The last six exhibitions have traveled for month-long display at Twin Cities’ churches.

Additionally, Marianne believes the Great Commission applies to all of the body of Christ, including artists of all definitions. Thus, she has guided Great Commission Artists to create a variety of teaching conferences and art-based community service projects including Kids Love, a popular Valentines day outreach to homeless children. Great Commission Artists is fulfilling its namesake mission to minister Christ to their world and glorify God.

With a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota, Marianne is an author and speaker. She has served as a board director for the Minnesota Christian Writers Guild and also leads a Christian writers’ critique group. Her 2016 book, 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer, won the Midwest Book Awards in the health category. In 2018 she released Beating Cancer One Truth At A Time, another guide for newly diagnosed patients designed for individual or support group reflection.

Marianne enjoys writing in various genres and desires for writers to explore new ways to release their talents to exalt Christ. Her passion is to see God’s beauty revealed in all of the creative arts.