Have you ever had a vision on your heart…

for a holy image for your church, home, or community but felt discouraged by your budget? 

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be as rich and powerful as the Medici family ruling Florence for almost 300 years to commission a sacred artwork of your own. Sacred art is for everyone. If the Lord wills it, anything is possible. You can commission a sacred artwork for your church, home, or school by using these 5 creative strategies.

1. Look for a Potential Donor! 

Your pastor may know folks who love art and may want to join you in this endeavor. If you feel called and have a vision that’s been on your heart, I highly recommend teaming up! Find donors who have the means to sponsor the creation of an original sacred artwork. Imagine a gorgeous painting of your parish’s patron saint or even an inspiring mural featuring young saints—like St. Maria Goretti, St. Therese of Lisieux, or Blessed Carlo Acutis—at your children’s Catholic school.

2. Ask Your Pastor About a Second Collection

If potential donors aren’t interested, talk with your pastor about having a second collection or parish fundraiser. Imagine if parishioners came together and raised money to bring more beauty into your parish! See if specific groups at your parish want to make a sizable donation. Contact your parish’s Women’s Group or Knights of Columbus to see how they might come alongside, or even take ownership of running the fundraiser! Not only will this be an act of community service, it will be legacy-building!

3. Consider Doing a Payment Plan

Sacred art points the entire family, neighbors, friends, and all who enter the home, to God. If you’re looking to commission a sacred artwork for your own home, consider talking with the artist a customized payment plan that works for your financial situation. The artist will likely be happy to oblige to make this dream a reality for you and your family.

4. Get Others Involved!

If the second collection or fundraiser doesn’t pan out, consider reaching out to a few other families that you’re close with about donating an original sacred artwork as a gift to your parish. Even just two to three other families pitching in will certainly lighten the load. You could also consider teaming up with fellow Bible study or book club members to make this vision a reality.

5. Make it a Class Gift

Mother’s Clubs and other parent-run groups at Catholic grade schools and high schools often give a gift to their schools at the end of each year. If you belong to one of these groups or have friends who do, consider proposing the idea of gifting an original sacred artwork or even a mural as the end-of-year gift.

Here’s a story of what this could look like: I was at an event at a local Catholic all-boys private high school. One of the Brothers who teaches at the school was captivated by my original painting of the child Jesus woodworking alongside his 30-year-old father. He was so struck by how young St. Joseph appeared (St. Joseph is often depicted as an older man). Seeing its potential for inspiring the boys in his religion class, he decided to go for it! His investment means that his students look at the work of Jesus and Joseph every day.

Have a vision in mind and want to commission an original sacred artwork for your home, church, or community? Send me a message here, and we’ll get the ball rolling. Still not sure about it? Check out these reviews and testimonies from others who decided to go for it and reaped the reward!

“After meeting Kate and following how she creates sacred art, my husband and I commissioned a painting of Padre Pio to commemorate our wedding day and honeymoon (my family in Italy is very close to and directs the shrine at San Giovanni Rotondo.) This was our first experience commissioning art and Kate made the process simple and seamless! We truly appreciated the time and prayer that she put into each step of the creative process because it resulted in a true and beautiful devotional that will be in our home for years to come. Thank you, Kate!!”

– Mary Colleen, Commissioner

“I knew what I wanted to say or show in the painting but had no idea of how to actually express it. It was as if God was the mediator between myself and Kate, allowing her to understand and interpret what I wanted through her art. I’ve never experienced something like it in my life.”

-Alex, Commissioner

Want to learn more about the process of commissioning a sacred artwork? Here’s everything you’ll need to know!