In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet chats with Timothy Schmalz, a world-renowned Canadian sculptor celebrated for his spiritually profound and deeply moving religious works, including the internationally recognized Homeless Jesus. Schmalz recounts his early fascination with sculpting, his brief time at the Ontario College of Art, and the artistic crisis that led him to reject shock-value art in favor of creating works with eternal meaning rooted in the Gospel. He explains how he came to dedicate his entire career to Christian themes, believing that great art requires epic subject matter and should communicate truths that move the soul.

Throughout the conversation, he shares insights on his process—treating his studio as a chapel, working obsessively for decades, and allowing scripture and the Holy Spirit to inspire breakthroughs in his pieces. Schmalz describes how sculptures can act as silent preachers, telling powerful stories without words, drawing people closer to faith, and even sparking conversions. From portraying saints like Padre Pio in striking and unconventional ways, to works on human trafficking, to pieces that challenge viewers with the raw demands of the Gospel such as loving one’s enemy, his art seeks to both comfort and confront. With reflections on the permanence of sculpture compared to fleeting media, Schmalz emphasizes how religious art can serve as a lasting witness, making visible the often-overlooked presence of Christ in the world.

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• (00:01) – Intro
• (00:33) – Meet Timothy Schmalz: Sculptor of Homeless Jesus
• (02:36) – Discovering Sculpture and Choosing Christian Art
• (06:10) – From Artistic Crisis to Vocation
• (15:58) – Sculpting as Prayer and Evangelization
• (27:31) – Telling Stories Through Saints and the Gospel
• (35:26) – The Global Impact of Homeless Jesus
• (38:37) – Realism and Public Reactions
• (41:10) – A Visual Translation of Scripture
• (42:22) – Global Installations of Homeless Jesus
• (47:07) – The Last Supper Table at St. John Paul II Academy
• (57:30) – Celebrating Life Through Art
• (01:12:03) – Legacy and the Future of Catholic Art
• (01:12:50) – Outro