THE 2026 JANUARY RESIDENCY IS NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION ~ 

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 free time to explore Athens independently.

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 ALL LEVELS ~ beginners or advanced, as instruction is individualized.

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

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.

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

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

 

AGENDA

Saturday 1.10

(travel/arrival day)

 

Sunday 1.11

PROGRAM BEGINS

Free Morning

13.00 MEET AT METS ART CENTER *

Tour George Kordis’s personal icon collection ~ with light refreshments

* Kordis Welcome & Introduction to the residency *

14:15 Walk together to Eikonourgia

14.30 – 17.30 Drawing instruction & practice (3 hours)

Independent Dinner  (*or small groups, optional)

 

Monday 1.12

9.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — DRAWING FOCUS

9.00 — 12.00 Lessons & Drawing

12.00 Lunch (provided)

13.00  — 16.00 Studio time

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

16.00+ Free time

Independent Dinner  (*or small groups, optional)

 

Tuesday 1.13

9.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — DRAWING or PAINTING FOCUS (Advanced Levels)

9.00 — 12.00 Lessons

12.00 Lunch (independent)

13.00  — 16.00 Studio time

16.00+ Free time

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

 

Wednesday 1.14

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING EXERCISES BEGIN

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)

 

Thursday 1.15

07.00  * SPECIAL EXCURSION DAY TO MYSTRAS *

(bus departs from Royal Olympic Hotel — supplemental separate bus fee of 60 Euros paid separately for those joining)

08.00 Travel by private chartered bus to Mystras (about 2.5 hours from Athens)

Several churches will be explored during the trip, with a return to Athens by around 6 – 7pm that evening.  Students will share an independent lunch together in the area.  The trip is optional but highly encouraged — spouses and others are welcome to join on the trip (additional bus fee is per person).

Please see more information here:

A Blog on the Byzantine City of Mystras 

 

Friday 1.16

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING

12.00 Lunch  (provided)

13.00–16.00 Studio time

16.00+ Free time

Independent Dinner (*small groups, optional)

 

Saturday. 1.17

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — PAINTING

12.00 Lunch  (independent)

13.00–16.00 Studio time

16.00+ Free time

Independent Dinner (*small groups, optional)

 

Sunday. 1.18

Free Morning

14.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, board preparation and gilding demonstrations (simple)

16.00 — 18.00 open painting session (optional)

Independent Dinner (*small groups, optional)

 

Monday. 1.19

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time

12.00 Lunch  (independent)

13.00 — 15.00 Painting

15.30+  Optional Group Dinner at Lostre Kouzina

(25 EUR additional pp cost if joining — this is a favorite eatery for students — friends or spouses welcome.  The evening’s family-style special menu for the will be made available at the start of the residency, with all drinks and wine included).

 

Tuesday 1.20. FINAL DAY

09.00 Meet at Eikonourgia, studio time — finishing

12.00 Lunch  (provided)

13.00 — 15.00 Final session and pack up (end early)

15.00+  Free time — GOODBYES

 

Wednesday. 1.21

Departures Home — Travel Day or Free day before next workshop (announced soon)

 

TO REGISTER:

Please select from the drop-down menu above.

The remaining fee of 1,100 Euros will then be requested on or around October 1st when the full remainder will be billed unless combining the full payment at registration.

If you have any questions, please contact Keri at info.writingthelight@gmail.com.

 

LODGING & MEALS:

All lodging and food is paid for individually by each student.  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) with the equivalent of the total amount paid minus the PayPal fee at the original country fee rate (i.e. 4,5% EU, 5.5~6% USA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA + 3% administrative fee) with a one month’s notice to the start date in writing.

 

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 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!