REGISTRATION NOW OPEN 

The Byzantine System through Painting Techniques: EGG TEMPERA & SGRAFFITO

5-day Intensive Icon Workshop with George Kordis:

September 7 – 11, 2026 

Dublin, Ireland

Early September brings a special 5-day residency with master artist and iconographer George Kordis returning to the heart of Dublin, Ireland as a unique opportunity to immerse in composing and painting an icon using the Byzantine System.  With Kordis sharing both dry egg tempera with underpainting techniques that he has developed over several decades, he will ALSO be teaching his unique sgraffito techniques, with students exploring a small sgraffito project in addition to an icon if they wish. 

This residency is the ideal option for an immersive experience in the inspiring Dublin city location.  

Good for both beginners or those with more experience, George Kordis will teach his own artistic approach through in-depth demonstrations and detailed exercises in the art, expression and language of the icon using the principles and rhythm of the Byzantine system as a strong foundation for creating beautiful Christian icons.

Along with the daily hands-on creative sessions, there will be short lectures and other visual inspiration and insight addressing iconography, creativity, icon history, theology and always good conversation and friendship.  The workshop will be held in the  lovely creative studios in the vibrant arts center Flux in downtown Dublin (Dublin 8, Liberties area), and is a convenient base from which to explore the rest of all that Dublin has to offer outside of class time.

The workshop space at Flux will allow our creative retreat-style program to come to life in an ideal location for exploring the country’s cultural, historical and natural attractions within walking distance from the workshop (St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, National Gallery of Ireland and more). Learn more about exploring Dublin  here.

Participants can also share a group trip to see the National Gallery of Ireland or the Book of Kells as a group if they wish outside of the workshop time on Wednesday, September 9th.

Limited to 14 students.

This workshop can count as one residency requirement for the Certificate Program.

 

Studio Location

The daily classes will be held at Flux Studios:

📍 DIGITAL COURT, RAINSFORD ST, DUBLIN

This will be our second time at Flux Studios — where they have good natural light, easels and plenty of room to learn.

DAILY SCHEDULE:

The class will meet daily from Monday, September 7 through Friday, September 11th.

Mornings: 09.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon

Break for lunch

Afternoons: 13.00  p.m. – 16.00 pm (1 to 4pm)

The class is held in English language.

Wednesday, September 9th we plan to visit the National Museum after the workshop day — participating students will need to purchase their ticket independently if they care to join.

Full Residency Tuition: €800

To Register 

Please secure your spot by making a non-refundable deposit of €300 through the link at the top of the page.

If you prefer to pay in full, you can request an invoice at time of registration — please contact Keri at keri@writingthelight.com.

Final tuition will be invoiced in July.

MATERIALS

All materials of icon board, pigment and paper will be included.  Students are asked to bring a mixing palette, a small sheet of plexiglass to mix on and their own brushes.  Recommendations will be shared after registration.

GETTING THERE

Dublin International Airport is the main gateway to Dublin and it is simple and straightforward to get to the city center —

📍 Dublin Airport is located 15km (9 miles) from central Dublin.

⏱️ The journey from Dublin Airport to Dublin takes 23-45 minutes by taxi or bus

Additional details to help with travel into the city will be provided upon registration.

 

LODGING & MEALS

Both lodging and meals are handled independently by students.  We always try to share a dinner or two together when in residency for camaraderie and group time outside of workshop hours.

It is suggested to take a look at lodging in the area around the workshop location. We will send more details along with some lodging suggestions after registration is complete.

We suggest STAY CITY ApartHotels — in either the Tivoli, Christchurch or Augustine locations (all within a 10-minute walk to the daily studio space).

The Flux Studios 8 is located at the red marker (FLUX has several locations).

 

REGARDING REGISTRATION & REFUND POLICY

The non-refundable deposit is required at registration, with the remaining tuition invoiced in early July.

You can also request an invoice to pay the full amount if preferred.

* Make sure to secure all travel and lodging with generous policy for any changes/cancellations.

*  Should you need to cancel attendance you will receive a refund for any balance paid minus the deposit if we are notified prior to August 1st.  If you cancel attendance after June 1st, you will only be refunded your remaining tuition paid outside of the deposit minus an additional 100 euro administrative fee, OR you may also choose to apply your unused tuition to another program so you will not lose your full investment if you unfortunately have to withdraw at the last minute.
* We will work as generously as possible with students experiencing unforeseen illness or travel issues that prevent attendance.  Usually this will be handled on a case-by-case basis. We understand there are many factors beyond your control with travel in today’s world.

We always try to work to make an agreeable outcome on a case by case basis in cases of withdrawal.

 

Please contact Director Keri Wiederspahn for any further questions: keri@writingthelight.com.

 

We hope to have you join us for this special Fall opportunity in Dublin!