Join Master Iconographer Dr. George Kordis for a four day workshop to learn the skills of traditional iconographic drawing using the principles of the Byzantine system as a strong foundation for creating beautiful Christian icons.

Dr. Kordis will teach the specific skills of the Byzantine drawing approach through in-depth demonstrations and detailed exercises in the art, expression and language of the icon. Good freehand drawing skills are the critical basis of all contemporary Byzantine icon-painting, and lends an invaluable window into the unique, artistic and spiritual process. Along with the daily hands-on sessions, there will be short lectures and other visual inspiration addressing iconography, icon history and theology.

All students – beginners and experienced alike -- will benefit from the valuable techniques learned in this rare opportunity to study with one of the world's top iconographers.

Note: ALL CLASS MATERIALS WILL BE PROVIDED--Each student will be given a large format sketch pad as well as all necessary drawing tools for use during the workshop.

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WORKSHOP REGISTRATION DETAIL:

The full retreat package cost includes all instruction, materials, shared semi-private housing (more info below), and all meals (except for two dinners and one lunch off-campus). A private room upgrade is available on a first come/first served basis with limited availibility, as well as tuition-only for students choosing to stay off-campus.

The workshop provides a unique retreat experience where students will share daily meals, all workshop sessions and optional evening and morning prayers while together for building fellowship and community. We try to have both Orthodox and Catholic priests visit during the workshop to both bless and/or provide mass.

With the full dates of the drawing workshop retreat September 10 -- 15 (with the four teaching days of September 11,12,13 & 14), we will ask that people arrive by dinner on September 10 to break bread together the night before the workshop begins, and depart anytime after breakfast on the 15th -- the day after the workshop ends. We are happy to help coordinate connecting rides to train, plane and bus from the farm.

Tickets to the workshop can be purchased here on-line, or by sending in a check. Students wishing to secure their spot with a $300 DEPOSIT may do so by sending in a check to our offices in Boston up until July 1. Balance will be due in full on August 1. For those wishing to pay by deposit, please contact Keri Wiederspahn (keri@oqfarm.org or call 802.230.7779) to secure your space while we wait for your check to arrrive.

Those who prefer to pay in deposit or in full by check instead of through this site should send payment to our foundation offices:

SWORD & SPOON WORKSHOP *Attn: Icon Drawing Workshop, 52 Waltham St., Lexington, MA 02421 USA

LODGING, MEALS AND TRAVEL SPECIFICS:

All workshops are hosted at the 500-acre OQ Farm: A Creative Sanctuary (www.oqfarm.org)-- a peaceful and beautiful working Vermont farm and retreat center only a little over two hours from Boston, MA, and only 10 minutes outside of the renowned and quintessential Woodstock, VT along the Ottauquechee River. The farm is currently now in development as a sanctuary devoted to the spiritual renewal of artists and the creation of new artistic works. We are Christian-based, and ecumenical in welcome.

Lodging

The lodging is comprised primarily of nicely appointed cabins with shared baths. No more than 4 participants will share a cabin. There are 8 private rooms available for an additional surcharge ($25 per night), on a first come – first serve basis, and will still share a bath with one other person. There is also a very nice Bed and Breakfast Inn within walkable distance (less than a mile) from the farm for those wishing full privacy: October Inn: http://octobercountryinn.com, as well as many other four and five star hotels (including the world-renowned Woodstock Inn: http://woodstockinn.com) less than 10 minutes away in downtown Woodstock, VT if you are traveling with your own car.

Meals

Food will be fresh, healthy, locally-sourced as possible, and prepared daily. We will try to accommodate any special dietary needs or allergies if given ample notice.

Travel

OQ Farm is easily accessible from Boston (2.5 hours by car or bus), or New York City (4.5 hours by car, bus or train). Feel free to contact us so that we can help to make suggestions as to what will work best with arrival and departures to the workshop.

By Plane: The nearest airports are Lebanon, NH (30 minutes), Manchester, NH (1.5 hours), or Boston’s Logan International Airport (2.5 hours). People coming into Logan can take a Dartmouth Coach bus direct to Lebanon, NH or take a connecting flight into the Lebanon, NH airport. We can help suggest local transport to the farm for participants from the NH Manchester Airport. We are able to easily pick up from the Lebanon, NH Airport anytime free of charge. The Burlington, VT Airport may also be considered, but all connecting transportation to the farm will need to be handled independently (by personal rental car or car service for instance).

By Bus: Destinations are either White River Junction, VT (Greyhound Buses) or Lebanon, NH (Dartmouth Coach). Either of these bus stations is convenient for us to pick up anytime free of charge.

By Train: Rutland, VT and White River Junction, VT are destination stops with Amtrak, originating from New York City.

By Car: We are just off of Rte 4 -- 8 miles West from Woodstock, VT, in between Killington and Woodstock in the small town of Bridgewater Corners. GPS should be set to 298 Holiday Farm Road, Bridgewater, VT.

SAMPLE DAILY STRUCTURE

8:00am Morning Breakfast

9:15 Morning Prayers

9:30am Morning Instruction begins

12noon Break for Lunch

1pm Afternoon Instruction

4-5pm Finish daily Instruction

5 to 6pm Free time

6:15pm Evening Prayers

6:30 Dinner

After dinner: Free time

AVAILABLE RECREATION

Optional movie nights, off-farm trip to local food/concert venue, group campfires, swimming, hiking.

NOTE: The workshop will also try to share an evening church service at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Claremont, NH, and a chance to visit briefly with renowned Russian iconographer Father Andrew Tregubov (http://www.iconmotif.com) and see his icon studio during one of the nights together, a highlight of last year's workshops.

Please contact Keri Wiederspahn at keri@oqfarm.org or 802.230.7779 for any other questions and with special lodging requests and their availability, or to request any of our other local lodging recommendations.

FAQs

What's the refund policy?

CANCELLATION POLICY:

1. Cancels up to 8 weeks before workshop: 100% refund, minus Registration Fee ($50)
2. Cancels up to 6 weeks before workshop: 75% refund, minus Registration Fee ($50)
3. Cancels up to 4 to 2 weeks before workshop: 50% refund, minus Registration Fee ($50)
4. Cancels up to 1 week or less before workshop: 0% refund, yet full tuition fee will be held and can be used towards another workshop

In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop for any reason, a full refund will be given.

Any last minute emergency drop situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please understand that the above policy will allow us to maintain high quality workshops. Any non-refundable funds distributed to our operations from cancellations will be acknowledged as a donation to the non-profit, and will be acknowledged as such.