By Lisa Fletcher

Before a word is spoken or a lesson taught, beauty has a way of reaching the human heart.

For centuries, the Church has understood the importance of beauty—using sacred art to not simply decorate but also evangelize, to draw the eye and lift the soul. Today in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, that tradition finds new life in unexpected places.

Behind the effort stands Morning Star Studio, a new apostolate founded in August 2025 by sacred artist Holly Schapker and co-creator Melissa Gillie. Their mission is simple but ambitious: bring sacred beauty into everyday life.

“Sacred art serves as a constant reminder of God’s presence and love,” Schapker explained. “It allows us to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of our faith.”

Morning Star Studio’s work includes bringing sacred art into schools, expanding public expressions of faith, honoring priests, and launching initiatives like the Carlo Cup, a soccer event inspired by Acutis that brings Catholic high schools together.

Morning Star Studio grew from a shared experience with The Angelico Project, another local apostolate that promotes the Catholic faith through the arts, thought, and culture. In June 2025, Schapker and Gillie auctioned a painting of then-Blessed Carlo Acutis, raising a large sum for The Angelico Project’s ministries. But the deeper impact lay in the spark it ignited.

That spark, they said, was “a deep desire to help more people encounter sacred art.”

Originally from San Diego, Gillie moved to Cincinnati a decade ago and quickly recognized something distinctive.

“I was drawn to how strong and deep the Catholic culture runs here,” she said.

Through her background in nonprofit work and youth ministry, Gillie has seen firsthand the need to reach young people in meaningful ways. In partnering with Schapker, she found that sacred art could do just that.

“Holly’s work has touched my mind and heart, opening up a new dimension of my faith,” Gillie said. “It brings encouragement and a longing for what is to come.”

One of Morning Star Studio’s most impactful efforts focuses on young saints—portraits designed to make holiness feel accessible.

“We believe there is a spiritual battle, where the young have an identity crisis,” Schapker said. “We want to remind them of who they are and to Whom they belong.”

Their created images of saints like Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati are appearing in schools across the region, offering more than inspiration. “Every saint looked like them at one time,” said Schapker. “Holiness is possible, regardless of our age.”

Gillie has already witnessed the impact. Thousands encountered a portrait of St. Carlo displayed outside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains during the veneration of his relics. “To see that same image now in schools across the region is so inspiring,” Gillie said. “Art touches the heart in a way that brings light.”

Schapker explained that each location’s portrait is not simply reproduced but prayerfully reworked. “We take the same composition and create a new piece through layers of glazing and prayer,” she explained. “Each one becomes a new creation, specific to the place it will live.”

And what began as a local effort has since expanded nationally, reaching tens of millions. Schapker’s work spans the Midwest and beyond—from Cincinnati to Kenya, Peru to New Zealand. Local installations are found at Xavier University, the Holy Spirit Center, and St. Vincent de Paul Church, a reflection of the Studio founder’s belief that sacred beauty belongs not only in churches but in the rhythm of everyday life.

That vision took shape in one of their boldest initiatives yet: along I-71 and other major Cincinnati roadways, drivers may have noticed something unexpected—sacred images appearing where advertisements typically dominate, offering a brief moment of stillness amid a busy day.

The idea to place sacred imagery into everyday spaces free from distraction or commercialism grew from a moment of reflection. After reading about a painting that sold for sixty million dollars, Schapker wrestled with the value placed on material art. That pondering led her to prayer—and ultimately to a deeper conviction.

“I want to live in a city that sings God’s praise,” she said, and thus, the simple but striking approach.

“Nothing clever. Nothing commercial. Just sacred beauty and the Word.”

Gillie sees that mission unfolding through partnerships across the archdiocese. “We hope to help organizations grow through collaboration,” Gillie said. “By bringing sacred art into our everyday lives, we can transform, encourage, and inspire hearts.”

“I believe God places a brush in my hand for souls and for His glory,” Schapker said. “Morning Star has become a way to love more deeply, serve more generously, and lead more authentically.”

At its heart, Morning Star Studio is about encounter. “Sacred art engages the viewer in a powerful way,” Schapker said. “It creates space for grace.”

For Schapker and Gillie, that space is no longer confined to churches or galleries. Through their efforts, it is unfolding in schools, across the city, and in the lives of those who encounter it. 

For more information on inviting holiness through beauty into your school or parish, go to www.themorningstarstudio.com.