Icon Painting at S. Clare’s Episcopal Church


Mary Jane Miller, an American iconographer living in Mexico, is offering an icon painting class at St. Clare's the week of November 13 to 18 at which we will paint the image of "Blessed Silence." Because materials need to be ordered, the deadline for registration is Sunday, October 16th.
Iconography is the original tradition of Christian sacred art and has been an integral part of the worship and mystical life of Christians since apostolic times. Referred to in the Eastern Christian tradition as "windows into heaven," icons have been used as instruments of prayer since the earliest days of Christianity.
During the workshop, we will paint the image of the “Blessed Silence”. One interpretation is shown above (but the image we paint may be something a little different). In the “Blessed Silence” icon shown above, Christ appears in the form of an angel. The depiction is closely associated with the Nativity (Christmas), after the prophecy of Isaiah: "For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder: and his name is called the Messenger (Angel) of Great Counsel: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him. His government shall be great, and of his peace there is no end." — Isaiah 9:6
Ms. Miller says that her retreat isn’t about the icons themselves, though, but about reflection, solace, and a way to focus her mind and spirit on God. Of the class, Ms. Miller  explains, "Participants will get an introduction to this great tradition called Iconography. They’ll have a peaceful encounter with themselves. I’m hoping they’ll walk away with a beautiful image. if I can provide that opportunity, the workshop will be considered a success.”
Materials for the class are costly. They include a special board which has been painstakingly prepared with layers of gesso (and which needs to be ordered ahead of time), pigments of ground stone, and gold leaf. Tuition for the class is $480, and a deposit of $200 is required to reserve a space. All of the materials for the class are included in the tuition and will be special-ordered for each participant. Scholarships are available. The deadline for receiving deposits is Sunday, October 16th. To reserve a spot, send an email to Liz+ (Liz@StClaresEpiscopal.org).