Epiphany Art
Our Story
Epiphany Art began in 1951 as an act of post-war reconciliation — a group of Christian artists from across Europe who believed that friendship, peace and understanding could be built through a shared love of art and faith. More than 70 years later, that conviction still shapes everything we do.
1951
Founded in Reims, France as the British branch of SIAC (Pax Romana)
Image: © Diliff
2024
Digital magazine archive established
1980s
Changed to Christian Arts; membership expanded across UK denominations
2026
New website launched; 11 active member artists
2018
Renamed Epiphany Art and a new identity launched
The Founding
Epiphany Art began as an act of post-war reconciliation. In 1951, in the city of Reims, France, a group of Christian artists from across Europe came together under the auspices of Pax Romana — an international Catholic movement for peace — to affirm that art could be a bridge: across borders, traditions, and the wounds left by conflict.
Out of that gathering emerged the Société Internationale des Artistes Chrétiens (SIAC) — the International Society of Christian Artists — and its British branch, initially known as SIAC UK. The founding conviction was simple: that international friendship, peace and understanding could be built through the shared vocation of art and faith.
From SIAC UK to Epiphany Art
Over the following decades, the British community grew and changed. By the 1980s, the group had become known as Christian Arts, broadening its membership across denominations. Then, in 2018, we took on our current name — Epiphany Art.
The name was chosen deliberately. An epiphany — from the Greek for ‘manifestation’ or ‘revealing’ — speaks of the moment when something hidden becomes visible. That’s what we believe the best art does
Where we are today
Today, Epiphany Art is an international, ecumenical community of 11 member artists, spanning Britain and beyond. Our members work in oil, watercolour, acrylic, printmaking, textile, mixed media, sculpture, poetry and music — united not by medium or style, but by a shared faith and a shared commitment to doing the work well.
We publish the Epiphany Art magazine twice a year, edited by J. R. Bateson — featuring artist profiles, theological reflections, and explorations of the relationship between faith and creativity. We meet regularly on Zoom, and we’ve exhibited in cathedrals, churches and conference centres across the UK.
Our committee currently includes a Membership Secretary (Vicky Frazer) and a Treasurer (Penny Howes). We’re a growing community, actively welcoming new members.
Image: Basilique Saint-Remi de Reims Exterior © Diliff