Sacred Arts
In the Orthodox tradition, art in all its varieties is intended to portray the beauty of the created world and God's continuing love for all mankind. Iconography is a special form intended to teach as well as to adorn. Many Orthodox artists express their spiritual journey by creating pieces that speak to the Truth as they have experienced it, rather than portraying specific teachings of Church doctrine.
Tatiana Nikolova-Houston, Ph.D
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Tatiana was born in Bulgaria in 1961. She studied Landscape Architecture and designed parks and spaces for recreation and meditation. In 1990, she came to America, married, and received Master’s degrees in Religious Studies and in Library and Information Science, studying and preserving South Slavic (Bulgarian) medieval manuscripts. Her doctoral dissertation revealed the 'secret history' of the Balkans during Ottoman rule (1393-1878) by studying manuscript marginal notes.
"In 2008, I started to re-create and re-interpret Byzantine and South Slavic iconography and manuscript illuminations, teaching Western audiences about the simple and meaningful illuminations created by Slavic scribes. I use the materials that they would have used: gold and metallic inks and acrylic paints, embellished by Swarovski crystals. The illuminations reflect the joy of spirituality, emphasizing the themes of the Light within and without and the Tree of Life as major inspirations. Her catalog currently includes more than 500 titles.
Dn. Romanos Slockett
Woodcarving Workshop
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Join Dn. Romanos for a hands-on workshop exploring the basics and fundamentals of woodcarving. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this session will introduce you to essential carving techniques, tools, and more.
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During the workshop, Dn. Romanos will demonstrate carving knowledge he has gathered from his years of carving and learning under Jonathan Pageau. Some of the basics will cover how to carve relief, chip carving, and much more. You'll gain insight into selecting the right tolls, troubleshooting difficult grain, and the overall struggle and joy of making something with your hands.
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This workshop will also be a great opportunity to ask questions and try your hand at the craft.
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Dn. Romanos is an Orthodox Christian with a love for Byzantine Iconography. With his love for the liturgical arts and a passion for making things with his hands, he attempted to create carvings on his own. He was then given the opportunity to attend a workshop guided by Jonathan Pageau (master carver and teacher) where he learned the fundamentals of icon carving.
He has have commissions for churches and individuals. His work includes Carved Icons, Prosphora Stamps, Crosses, and more.
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