ARTIST STATEMENT:

This banner design is built from the logo for our Advent series, How does a weary world rejoice? Each section of the banner design represents a focal scripture in the series. Within the joyful rays at the top is the smoke from the incense Zechariah sees in the temple. The top circle (the head of the top figure in the logo) represents the waters of baptism in John the Baptist’s ministry and in the baptism of Jesus. The lower circle (the head of the lower figure in the logo) depicts the joy of crocus flowers blooming in spring. Inside one hand, we see a circle motif representing Mary and Elizabeth pregnant with their boys. Another hand depicts a pattern of curves interlocking with one another; these represent the prophesy of Zechariah. The weary ripples anchoring the bottom of the design are composed of a pattern of hands in a praise pose depicting Mary’s Magnificat.

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

DOWNLOAD INCLUDES:

• Horizontal files to project and trace the design onto one 53”x80” banner. 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).

• Horizontal files to project and trace a simplified version of the design onto one 53”x80” banner. 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 a 5’x8’ vinyl banner through a company such as Got Print. This option allows 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 the 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 file to a local printer or online print shop such as GotPrint for printing as a vinyl banner. Hang the banner 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