ARTIST STATEMENT:

As we gather together this Advent, we think back over the centuries. From generation to generation, we pass on this Christmas story. In this year’s banner design, the From Generation to Generation... theme logo is centered like a family around the table sharing stories from the day, the year, or from our collective history. Within the stained-glass window panes surrounding the logo, the stories of Christmas are depicted with simple symbols. In one pane, Mary’s arms create a semicircle representing her cradling the newborn baby Jesus. Joseph’s eyes are closed as he dreams about God’s calling. The full bellies of Mary and Elizabeth create a curvy pattern—facing one another, turning away, and back again. The star of Bethlehem represents the host of angels, while sheep graze in the field to depict the story of the shepherds. King Herod’s crown lurks repeatedly in the top right corner as a reminder of the dangers of unilateral authority. These stories, each one so familiar, make up the structure of our faith.

—Hannah Garrity, banner design artist and Founding Creative Partner of SA

DOWNLOAD INCLUDES:

• Horizontal files to project and trace the design onto one 53”x53” banner or three 26”x87” banners. If you are creating a paper lace cut out banner, we provide a flipped projection file so that you can trace and cut on the back of the banners (displaying the clean side as the front).

• Written instructions with 3 options (summarized below) for bringing this design to life in your congregation!

• Large, color files for printing the designs as one 6’x6’ vinyl banner or three 3’x10’ vinyl banners through a company such as Got Print. This is a COVID-friendly option, allowing you to install and display the banner art on the exterior of your church building throughout the Advent and Christmas season.

CREATIVE OPTIONS (SEE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS IN DOWNLOAD FOR MORE INFO):

Option A.) Painted Banners
Suitable for: Youth and adults of all ages
Level of time, planning, commitment: (3 of 5 stars)
Process: Following the tutorial video below and written instructions included in download, project and trace designs onto paper or canvas to create banners. Invite members to paint the designs using tempera or acrylic paint. 

Option B.) Paper Lace Cut-Out Banners
Suitable for: older youth (with supervision) and adults
Level of time, planning, commitment: (5 of 5 stars)
Process: Following the tutorial video below and written instructions included in download, project, trace, and cut out designs on photography studio backdrop paper to create beautiful paper lace banners.

Option C.) Printed Vinyl Banners
Suitable for: All ages
Level of time, planning, commitment: (1 of 5 stars)
Process: Send the included print files to a local printer or online print shop such as GotPrint for printing as vinyl banners. Hang the banners inside your church building, in your worship space, or outdoors on your church property.

See more creative ways to bring these designs to life in this blog post: sanctifiedart.org/blog/art-for-advent-creative-ways-to-bring-our-banner-designs-to-life