Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts Names Artist of Year for 2011: Banksy & LA Students

"...the ability to spark constructive dialogue
(as well as inevitable controversy) across multiple communities including believers..., and folks otherwise not tuned into art...."
~ DR. TONYA MATTHEWS
"Stained Window" (2011) by LA Student Artists & Banksy
By Tahlib

The readers of Alpha Omega Arts have spoken, and overwhelmingly picked "Stained Glass" as the winner of the 4th annual Alpha & Omega Prize for Contemporary Religious Art. Created by Banksy and a group of 54 California high school students, the 2011 work depicts a lone figure at prayer surrounded by a church window of graffiti, and offers a rare and privileged insight into the creation of street art as well as Christian worship in urban America. Dr. Tonya Matthews, of the Cincinnati Museum Center credited this work for "the ability to spark constructive dialogue (as well as inevitable controversy) across multiple communities including believers, art lovers, random teenagers, and folks otherwise not tuned into art or religion...." While obviously the vote was not unanimous, and who would expect that? It was overwhelming weighted towards Stained Glass. On behalf of the readers, the board members and supporters of Alpha Omega Arts, we thank Banksy and his legion of 54 high school art students for creating the 2011 Religious Art: Talk of the Year. [link]