JAN. 11 – 21, 2024

Writing the Light is presenting a 10-day residency to immerse in icon-making in Athens, Greece with master iconographer Dr. George Kordis onsite 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 at the Mets Art Center and 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.  

Several specialized sessions in icon board preparation, and demonstrations in gilding will be shared during the workshop by experienced visiting artists.

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

Nights will include optional attendance to several events, including a concert of Byzantine music. All museum and church trips as well as optional evening or welcome and closing events are open to students and any traveling  spouses or friends accompanying them.  

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 beginners or advanced, as instruction is individualized.

All instruction is held in English language.

NOTE: All food, lodging, and any additional basic fees for museums and transportation to and from museums and churches will be paid for  independently by students. Some dinners will be pre-organized with optional sign-up to join.

Tuition fee: 1500 Euros (approximately $1600 US dollars) 

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

Thursday. 1.11 

(travel/arrival day) 

18.00 Welcome reception at Mets Art Centre*

Friday. 1.12

10.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, Welcome Talk & beginning DRAWING demos

12.00 On-site Lunch  

13.00–16.00 Studio time — DRAWING FOCUS 

16.00-19.30 Free time 

19.30 Dinner (*small independent groups, optional) 

Saturday. 1.13

9.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — DRAWING FOCUS

9.00 — 12.00 Lessons & Drawing

12.00 Lunch

13.00  — 16.00 Studio time

16.00+ Free time

19.00 Dinner (*group dinner out at LOSTER’s KITCHEN, Mets area, Athens — optional)

Sunday. 1.14

FREE DAY

Suggestions will be shared for local exhibitions, churches and historic sites in and around Athens to explore individually or in student-led groups

20.00 Evening group event, Mets Art Center 

Monday. 1.15

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING FOCUS BEGINS

9.00 — 12.00 Lessons & Painting Demos

12.00 Lunch  

13.00–16.00 Studio work — painting 

16.00 + Free time

18.30 Dinner (*small groups, optional near Mets Center)

Tuesday. 1.16

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING 

09.00 — 12.30 Studio work — painting

12.30 — 13.00 Travel to Byzantine Museum

13.00 — 14.30 Lunch at Byzantine Museum Restaurant (*optional)

14.30 — 16.30 Touring the Museum

16.30+ Free time

18.30 Dinner (*small individual groups, optional)

Wednesday. 1.17 

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING FOCUS 

09.00 — 12.30 Studio work — painting

12.00 Lunch  

13.00–16.00 Studio time  

16.00+ Free time 

18.30 Dinner (*small groups, optional)  

Thursday. 1.18  

09.00 Meet at Atelier, studio time — PAINTING FOCUS

12.00 On site Lunch

12.30–17.00 Afternoon trip to HOSIOS LOUKAS Monastery, Boetia (with supplemental group bus fee, 1.5 hr travel time each way), sketching on site

Dinner (*small groups, near monastery)  

Back to Athens (arriving @ 21.00)

Friday. 1.19 

09.00 Meet at Atelier, studio time — PAINTING FOCUS

12.00 Lunch  

13.00–16.00 Studio time  

16.00+ Free time

18.30 Dinner (*small groups, optional)  

Saturday. 1.20 

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING FOCUS

12.00 Lunch  

13.00 — 15.00 Studio time  

15.00 — 18.00 Explore various Churches with Kordis work in Athens

19.00 Dinner (*last night group dinner out, Mets area, Athens — optional)

Sunday. 1.21

Home — Travel day

TO REGISTER:

Please fill out the basic form (through the red registration button at the top of this page) and we will email you with the next steps.

All payments will be billed through PayPal by Cinnabar, a part of Iconography Today.  A non-refundable 400 Euros deposit will hold your spot.  The remaining fee will then be made in two installments: 1) on October 1st, 2022; and 2) on December 1st, 2023 when the full remainder will be billed.  Alternative payment plans can be discussed by contacting Keri at info.writingthelight@gmail.com.

REGARDING REGISTRATION & REFUND POLICY 

• The 400 Euros deposit is non-refundable, but transferable if notified prior to December 1st, 2023. 

• Should you need to cancel attendance, you will receive a refund for any balance paid minus the deposit with the deposit turning into usable credit towards other programs of Iconography Today if we are notified prior to December 1st, 2023. If you cancel your attendance after December 1st,  you will forfeit your deposit, and will only be refunded your remaining amount paid. We will work as generously as possible with students, handled on a case-by-case basis.

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 info.writingthelight@gmail.com and/or check your spam folder as sometimes our letters and invoices go directly to spam.  

Thank you!