Visual Hymnal is a printed arts magazine that explores the intersection of Christian faith and creativity. Founded in 2024 by three members of Center Point Church in Tallahassee, Florida (a writer/editor, a graphic designer, and an opera singer), we feature all kinds of creative work by believers in our local community: writing, visual art, music, pottery, sewing, cooking, gardening, and more. We encourage submissions from those who may not think of themselves as “artists” but who, as bearers of the Creator’s image, are creative nonetheless. Since last January, we have released four issues, each tied to a season of the liturgical calendar: Epiphany, Eastertide, Ordinary Time, and Christmastide.
When we announced this project, we had no idea what the response would be. But as the submissions came rolling in, we were delighted by the bold, beautiful, creative work we received. People sent us their poetry, paintings, songs, pottery, embroidery, recipes, and even their household plants. Children submitted their work alongside adults (to date, our youngest contributor was 3, and our oldest was 95). Lovely collaborations ensued: musicians helped each other record original songs, a wife made a linocut print to illustrate her husband’s poem, photographers captured others’ artwork in the best possible light. In one issue, we featured a set of three bluebird paintings by a mother, daughter, and granddaughter.
To celebrate our first issue, we threw a launch party, inviting contributors to bring their visual art to display, their recipes to share, and their writing and music to read and perform. It was such a fun time, we’ve continued to host release parties for subsequent issues; in this way, VH has become an event series as well as an arts magazine. By God’s grace, Visual Hymnal is becoming a place where local believers create, connect, collaborate, and come to see and treasure Christ and one another in unexpected ways.
While we always welcome submissions on any theme or topic, each issue is tied to a particular season in the liturgical calendar. Our next issue is slated for Eastertide; please send us your work by February 14, 2025.