[Stargate] Fall Iconography Workshop at St. John Chrysostom Church in Houston

[John Hirling]

One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested."

— E. M. Forster


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elias <houstonelias at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Subject: Fall Iconography Workshop at St. John Chrysostom Church in Houston
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Our Parish will be hosting an Icon Painting Weekend at the begining of
November. Would you be so kind as to publicize this event?
Thank you for your support. Should you have any questions, please don't
hesitate to contact me at 713-256-8953 or my email. Also refer to our parish
website for further information and registration forms.
In Christ,
fr. Elias Rafaj
St. John Chrysostom Church
Houston, Texas


*2011 Fall Icon Workshop*

Friday, November 4 – Sunday, November 6, 2011
Friday: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Location:
Saint John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church
5402 Acorn Street
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 681-3580 or *(713) 256-8953
*
Cost: $150 total for each participant
(painting supplies included in total cost)
Instructor: Father Elias Rafaj



Saint John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church is sponsoring an
Icon-Writing (painting) Studio at any level of experience, for adults and
accompanied children over 10, on Friday, November 4, 2011 through Sunday,
November 6, 2011. The workshop will be led by Very Rev. Father Elias Rafaj,
pastor of St. John Chrysostom Church and iconographer. Fr. Elias has been
writing icons for over 20 years and teaching the Theology of Icons all over
North and South America.

This workshop theme will be “The Face of the Theotokos.” There will also be
some other icons for those with prior experience. Those attending the
Workshop will write one icon on a gessoed pre-prepared board. If desired,
other boards are available for purchase. Using a pre-prepared prototype,
participants will learn techniques for faces, garments, gilding and
background. The theology of the icons will be woven into the class time.

The class will meet Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00
a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There is the
opportunity to attend Divine Liturgy on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The cost of
$150 ($75 for accompanied children 10 - 18 – the accompanying adult MUST
attend the workshop) will cover all supplies: one 9 x 12 gessoed board,
paints, brushes, gold leaf and miscellaneous supplies. Refreshments and
coffee/tea will be available.

Pre-registration is necessary.
Registration closes on November 2, 2011.
Space is limited.
A deposit of $75 ($50 for accompanied children) is required.
Please contact Fr. Elias at: houstonelias at gmail.com or 713-256-8953 or
713-681-3580 if you have any questions.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Participants do not need any previous art experience or experience in
iconography. Participants will be taught the techniques used in the ancient
art of icon painting/writing, from transferring the drawing onto the icon
board (at the beginning of the process) to applying the gold leaf (at the
end of the process). Acrylic paints will be used in this Workshop for the
making of the icons. The symbolism, meaning, and religious uses of icons in
church (public religious services) and in the home (private devotions) will
be explained during the course of the Workshop. Fr. Elias will also explain
the various techniques used by iconographers through past centuries. At the
end of the entire Workshop, each participant will have completed one icon,
which will be blessed in an icon-blessing rite.