THIS RESIDENCY IS FULL and now operating on a waitlist.

If you are interested in joining, please follow blue waitlist link above to add your name.

June 15 – 19, 2026

We are pleased to offer the third annual 5-day workshop with Dr. George Kordis at the Institute of Sacred Arts of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, in Yonkers, New York.

 

Good for both beginners or those with more experience, Dr. 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. With the opportunity to discuss in-depth the creative process and techniques covering both drawing and painting, this workshop is presented as a valuable time to enter into making your own icon with Dr. Kordis’s oversight.

 

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.

 

Hosted on the beautiful campus of St. Vladimir’s seminary in Yonkers, New York, the location provides the perfect atmosphere to focus on a week-long learning experience.  You can read more about the  Institute of Sacred Arts and their other initiatives and creative programs here.

 

AGENDA

During the week, instruction will be held M – F from 9am to 4pm daily with daily lunch from noon to 1pm.  

An evening discussion event with Dr. Kordis and Peter Bouteneff, the Director of the Institute of Sacred Arts, will be presented on one of the nights. 

 

Meals and Food

Meals will be provided on-campus for an additional cost. The meal service will begin on the first day of Monday, June 15th with Lunch, and the final meal at lunch on Friday, June 19th.  

MEAL PLAN: While at St. Vlad’s, students can choose to have only lunch or both lunch and dinner. 

The above options will be available by March 1st.

 

Materials

An icon board and pigments are provided.  Each student will only need to bring their own brushes and drawing supplies – a list of recommendations will be sent to participants.

Please scroll down for information regarding lodging and travel — Students will need to secure their lodging independently.

Tuition: 800 EUR

If you wish to pay in full, please email a request to keri@writingthelight.com to receive a special payment link.

TO REGISTER:

Please proceed to secure your DEPOSIT through formal registration. 

Once your non-refundable deposit of 300 EUR is secured, your balance of 500 EUR will be due March 15th.  You will be invoiced for this separately.

Location

St Vladimir’s Seminary is located at 575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707.

 

Hotel and Lodging Information

We will have several blocks of rooms reserved at the local Hampton Inn & Suites and at the SpringHill Marriott, with a discounted rate of $149 per night for our Residency participants (slightly higher at SpringHill Suites — this discount will not be activated until Feb. 2026). Note that Airbnb options are very limited in the area.  Students can also consider reverse commuting from Manhattan each day by commuter rail.  A van transport to and from SpringHill Suites will be made available daily to and from St. Vlad’s for students needing it (beginning on Monday, June 15th and ending on Friday, June 19th). It is not necessary to rent a car.

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott (special rate link will be available in Spring 2026)*   — This is the only hotel that provides a daily shuttle to and from the hotel.

FOR THE FULL RESIDENCY INFORMATION with location and lodging details, please see on the Residency & Summer School Section HERE

Any questions?  Please contact Director Keri Wiederspahn at keri@writingthelight.com