The winning painting -- "Jesus of the People" -- portrays Jesus as genderless

'Jesus 2000' contest

Interpreting Jesus on canvas

May 25, 2000
Web posted at: 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT)

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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Righteous, blasphemous, androgynous. Those are just a few of the words describing the artworks entered into the "Jesus 2000" contest.

VIDEO CNN's Jeanne Moos encounters modern visions of Jesus in a millenium art contest. QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     ALSO Click for more details on the contest

The contest, sponsored by the National Catholic Reporter, drew more than 1,600 entries. Thirty-seven of them are touring the United States -- pieces that include images of Jesus as a homeless man, a death-row inmate and a TV news anchor.

The winner, painted by Janet McKenzie of Island Pond, Vermont, blends the features of a black man and woman.

The exhibit is currently on display at Pace University's Schimmel Center. CNN's Jeanne Moos dropped by for a holy look-see.

Watch Jeanne Moos at 8 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday on CNN's "The World Today" in U.S. cities and at other times throughout the day.

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Pace University (Schimmel Center)
National Catholic Reporter
'Jesus 2000' entries

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