***NOTE THE 2027 RESIDENCY IS NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION ***

January 12 – 21, 2027

Writing the Light offers a new opportunity to attend the annual 10-day residency to immerse in icon-making in Athens, Greece with master iconographer Dr. George Kordis at his Eikonourgia School and with special events at the Mets Art Center. Daily instruction will be combined in teaching both the technique and methods of icon drawing and painting in the Byzantine System.  Immersion in a daily studio practice will be optimized by being within the framework of a city rich with great historical examples of Byzantine history and living inspiration.  Valuable trips to local Greek churches, monasteries, and museums to see ancient and modern icons (many which Kordis himself has painted) will be a part of this unique and balanced creative curriculum held in the artistic and ancient city of Athens.  

Hosted Dr. Kordis’s Eikonourgia School of Iconography (his large icon-painting atelier and teaching space), the program will begin with a two-day focus honing the basics of icon drawing before diving into a week long intensive with egg tempera painting using the Byzantine limited tetrachrome palette of mineral pigments.  

Each day will be comprised of an average of 6 hours of studio time along with select days paired with relaxed optional visits to visit museums, churches and monasteries. The schedule is also structured with ample free time to explore Athens independently.

All museum and church trips are optional as well as any evening or welcome and closing events and are open to students and any traveling spouses or friends accompanying them.  Any Museum trip entrance fees are paid by the participants individually.

The day trip excursion to the Kaisariani Monastery and to see Kordis’s Faneromeni church in Voulgiameni is included in the tuition.  The trip to Mystras will now be a bi-annual event (next time will be in 2028), and all excursions will remain flexible to be rescheduled if the weather is not allowing on the scheduled date — we usually not not go if it is raining and slippery to walk in the monuments.

ALL MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED in the tuition, with students needing to bring a selection of paintbrushes for use during the program. 

The Residency is good for ALL LEVELS ~ beginners or advanced, as instruction is individualized.

All instruction is held in English language.  This is a popular residency and early registration is strongly suggested.

Tuition fee: 1650 Euros

All items marked  below with an * will be open to spouses and significant others accompanying students.  

 

AGENDA

Monday 1.11

(travel/arrival day) 

 

Tuesday 1.12

PROGRAM BEGINS

09.00 – INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM ~ Meet at Eikonourgia

9.00 – 12.00 Discussion and Drawing 

12.00 Lunch (provided)

13.00 – 16.00 Drawing practice 

Independent Dinner  (*or small groups, optional)

 

Wednesday 1.13

9.00 Studio time — DRAWING FOCUS 

9.00 — 12.00 Lessons & Drawing

12.00 Lunch (independent)

13.00  — 16.00 Studio time

(Intermediate and Advanced Levels begin icon at some point during the day)

16.30 – ICON TOUR AT METS ART CENTER *

Special Tour of George Kordis’s personal icon collection ~ 

Independent Dinner  (*or small groups, optional) — Olympiana Restaurant, Mets suggested

 

Thursday 1.14

9.00 Studio time — DRAWING (Advanced may begin PAINTING)

9.00 — 12.00 Lessons

12.00 Lunch (provided)

13.00  — 16.00 Studio time

16.00+ Free time

 

Friday 1.15

SPECIAL EXCURSION DAY TO KAISARIANI MONASTERY & KORDIS’S FANEROMENI CHURCH *

Travel by private chartered bus (about 1.15 hour drive from Athens – bus departs from Royal Olympic Hotel) 

Several churches will be explored during the trip, with a return to Athens by around 4pm that afternoon.  Students will share an independent lunch together in Vougliameni.  The trip is optional but highly encouraged — spouses and others are welcome to join on the trip (for a discounted rate). Please note that the trip to Mystras will now be a bi-annual event (next time will be in 2028)

 

Saturday 1.16

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING FOCUS

9.00 — 12.00 Lessons & Painting Demos

12.00 Lunch  (provided)

13.00–16.00 Studio work — painting 

16.00+ Free time

Independent Dinner  (*or small groups, optional) 

 

Sunday 1.17

FREE MORNING

13.00 – 15.00 Optional Museum Tour with Art History Guide to see the collection at the

Byzantine and Christian Museum (2 hours) — Friends or spouses may join.

15.00+ Free time

(An additional event may be scheduled here – TBA)

Independent Dinner (*small groups, optional) 

 

Monday 1.18

09.00 Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING

12.00 Lunch  (provided)

13.00–16.00 Studio time

16.00+ Free time

Independent Dinner (*small groups, optional) 

 

Tuesday. 1.19

09.00 Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING

12.00 Lunch  (provided)

13.00–16.00 Studio time

16.00+ Free time

Suggested optional group Independent trip to the National Archeological Museum to tour the collection (open late until 20.00).

 

Wednesday. 1.20

09.00 Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING

12.00 Lunch  (independent)

13.00 — 15.00 Painting

15.30+  Optional Closing Group Independent Dinner at Lostre Kouzina*

 

Thursday 1.21 

FINAL DAY

09.00 Eikonourgia, studio time — FINAL PAINTING SESSION

12.00 Lunch (provided)

13.00 — 15.00 Final session and end early

GOODBYES, OR…

 

Friday 1.22

FREE DAY

NEW!

Saturday 1.23 – Sunday 1.24

Special Extra Add-on Excursion: METEORA MONASTERIES

SPECIAL OVERNIGHT EXCURSION TO METEORA – 

This unique opportunity will include travel to and from Athens to Meteora, a tour of various monasteries, one-night overnight accommodation (single occupancy) and a special group dinner on Saturday night (lunch independent). 

Meteora is approximately 3.5 hours from Athens.

EXCURSION COST TBA — expected to be announced by June 1st. 

NOTE: Monday the 25th will be a free day before the next residency of SACRED SPACE: Large-Scale Drawing and church work – a 5-day residency held from JAN. 26 –30th with George Kordis.

 

TO REGISTER:

Please make your deposit of 400 EUROS.

The remaining fee of 1,250 Euros will then be requested by invoice on or around October 1st.

If you have any questions, please contact Director Keri Wiederspahn — keri@writingthelight.com.

 

LODGING & MEALS :

All lodging and food is paid for individually by each student.  We will provide lunch on several days at the studio (indicated on the daily agenda). Once registered, we will provide a suggestion list of places to stay close to Eikonourgia or the Mets Art Center — in the Mets, Plaka or Pangrati areas.

 

REGARDING REGISTRATION & REFUND POLICY:

• If a Certificate student needs to cancel attendance to a residency, they can have a refund of their residency deposit (usually non-refundable) minus the equivalent of $100 as long as the cancellation is made within four weeks of the residency start date, otherwise the deposit is non-refundable.

• For tuition already paid for a student-canceled residency, ALL students may have the paid tuition portion refunded (beyond the non-refundable deposit) if notified within a one month’s notice to the start date in writing.  For last minute cancellations with less than 30 days notice, we suggest requesting for the paid tuition to be pushed out to the following year (with a 100 Euro administrative fee) or students may choose to receive 50% of their tuition paid beyond the non-refundable deposit.

• We understand that unforeseen events may prevent your travel to Athens and will try to work with you.

 

We hope to have you join us for this rare opportunity to learn iconography from master George Kordis in the beautiful and inspiring setting of Athens, Greece.

 

NOTE: IF YOU REGISTER AND DO NOT RECEIVE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER WITHIN 24 HOURS, Please email Keri at keri@writingthelight.com and/or check your spam folder.

Thank you!