NEWS RELEASE

Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. Suite #290 San Jose, CA 95112-5876 ph: 408-286-8505 fax: 408-287-8748

For Immediate Release Contact: Dina Salcido 408-286-8505 Dina@rpinet.com

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 28, 2003 - The Visual Arts Awards, featured in Ministry & Liturgy magazine, will be taking on a new look for its 20th anniversary in the 2004-2005 competition.  The awards celebrate excellence in visual arts in worship and recognize and promote artists who are setting the standards for liturgical art in the church today. The new format for the awards will feature five categories (each with a separate submission deadline) to be featured in upcoming issues of Ministry & Liturgy.

The new categories are:

Sacred Art — Permanent or occasional, all media, including decorative painting
Structural and Ornamental Glass — Structural or occasional decorative glass
Ritual Furnishings and Vesture — Includes vessels, vesture, tabernacles, textiles, and minor furnishings.
Devotional Spaces and Art — Promotes private devotion or prayer
Sacred Symbols and Architecture — Ritual or sacramental spaces and primary liturgical symbols

A qualified panel of judges will base their decision on artistic and liturgical merit.  The highest scoring winners of each category will be awarded Best of Show receive a cash prize, featured on the cover of Ministry & Liturgy.  Several BENE and Honorable Mention award winners will also be featured in future issues.

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Ministry & Liturgy is a professional magazine for members of the parish ministry team.  It is dedicated to exploring the connection between liturgy and life, unpacking the treasures of  the Roman liturgy, and helping ministers use the visual, musical, lively, literary, and environmental arts to shape liturgies to their local culture.

Visual Arts Awards Entry Information is available at www.rpinet.com/vaaentry.pdf

Subscription Information: If you would like to subscribe, you may do so RISK FREE.  Simply request a trial subscription to ML by calling 888-273-7782 toll-free.  You will receive the next issue of ML, followed by an invoice for $50 for a one-year subscription.  Subscriptions can also be ordered online at www.rpinet.com/mlorderfrm.shtml.

Resource Publications, Inc. strives to help people reach their fullest potential on both personal and professional levels, by providing resources for leaders in ministry and education.  Current ministry resources include Ministry & Liturgy magazine, Liturgical Catechesis magazine, Celebrating the Lectionary, Sacramental Register and Certificate Maker 4.0, and many other books and music collections.  Visit the RPI website at www.rpinet.com.