"Artists of the world, may your many different paths all lead to that infinite Ocean of beauty where wonder becomes awe, exhilaration, unspeakable joy." In 1999, Pope St. John Paul II wrote a letter to artists, reflecting on their vital role in society and summoning them, and the wider world, to a deeper appreciation of beauty — that it is necessary for a good life.

On Saturday, March 13th, in a digital workshop, the Collegium Institute joined by guest artists and writers, co-sponsored by Dappled Things Magazine & the Villanova Department of Humanities, and made possible by a generous grant from the Connelly Foundation, will lead high school students on an exploration of "Beauty in the Catholic Tradition,” considering questions like the following:

• What resources does Catholicism have for understanding the inter-relation of art, beauty, and faith?
• How can beauty shape a soul or aid a life of faith today?
• How is it possible for the artist to be faithful to the reality of human suffering and also faithful to the need to transcend it?

Through seminar discussions, students will explore thinkers like Pope John Paul II, Thomas Merton, Madeleine L'Engle, C.S. Lewis, and others; in addition, they will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on creative workshops with guest artists and writers, engaging the mind, the heart, and the hand.

Students will be sent materials for the workshop, as well as a digital reader of short readings and resources. If you sign up after March 8, we will not be able to ship you supplies in time for the event, but you will still receive instructions and be able to participate in the morning workshop.

Registration Fee:

Early Bird : $10, available through Wednesday, February 24th

Regular : $15

School Group Discount: $100 to include up to 12 student registrations plus 2 teacher registrations

We are also opening up a few spots for teachers!

Teacher: $10

We will be joined by an exciting group of guest artists and poets:

A full schedule will be released soon, but the overall structure for this digital, Zoom workshop will be:

10:00am - 12:00pm Morning Session (visual arts concentration)

Keynote by Erica Tighe Campbell

Visual Arts workshop with Abigail Halpin

12:00pm - 1:30pm Lunch Break

1:30pm - 3:30pm Afternoon Session (literary arts concentration)

Keynote by James Matthew Wilson

Poetry workshop with Hannah Dow