"The Year of Mercy"
CRAA 2016 Summer Conference
The Contemporary Religious Artists Association (CRAA) held their second annual Summer Sacred Art Workshop and Retreat from July 16-July 24 at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison. First came a three-day workshop in the materials and techniques of Medieval manuscript illumination, taught by Dr. Anthony Silvestri of Washburn University, during which participants created a small painting in the medieval style using calfskin parchment, pure pigments, and pure gold leaf. After a quiet day for reflection with medtations led by Fr. Jay Kythe, participants embarked on a five-day intensive workshop in traditional icon painting led by Elizabeth Zeller. Each participant spent almost 40 hours of loving and prayerful work in the study, design, and painting of their selected holy image. Zeller guided each iconographer through every stage of the process—selection of the icon board; transferring the holy image; navigating the delicate multi-step gilding process; and the patient application of layer upon layer of translucent, hand-made egg tempera colors—punctuated throughout the five days with prayer, and participation in the daily life of the Abbey community, including joining the monks for meals and daily prayer. The workshop culminated in the blessing of the icons during Holy Mass in the Abbey church on Sunday, July 24.
Part 1: MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT ILLUMINATION - Saturday - Monday, July 16-18, 2016, 9am - 5pm
This three-day workshop and retreat with instructor Dr. Tony Silvestri will focus on the materials and techniques of Medieval manuscript illumination. Participants will use calfskin parchment, pure pigments, gold, and traditional techniques for painting and gilding to create a small illuminated letter of their own design. For a peek at the process we will follow see http://www.charlesanthonysilvestri.com/process.html. At the end of the workshop will be a blessing of the newly painted illuminations by Abbot James Albers OSB. Punctuated throughout the workshop will be optional time for prayer and reflection, and participation in sacraments, spiritual direction and in the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks.
Location: St. Benedict's Abbey, Atchison, KS
Date: Saturday, July 16 - Monday, July 18, 2016, 9am – 5pm each day with break for lunch, and Mass at 5:15 to bless our finished works
Fee: $225 for CRAA members; $250 for non-members (please make checks out to CRAA)
Certification: Fee includes a formal Certificate from CRAA
REGISTRATION: To register, please use the correct Part 1 Registration Form below
ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants must arrange their own lodging and meals for this workshop. Space is limited at the Abbey Guesthouse. To arrange lodging and/or meals at the Abbey, kindly contact Fr. Blaine at http://www.kansasmonks.org/guest-house-request.
Materials for Medieval Illumination Workshop
I will provide all the materials you need: calfskin parchment, pigments, binders, gold, and tools. But you could help by bringing the following:
-- An idea of the Letter you might like to illuminate, and an idea of the kind of decoration you might like to explore--floral, geometric, Celtic, Gothic, Modern, etc. For some inspiration, just Google "Illuminated Letters" and behold the astonishing array of styles and ideas. Please reduce your letter to fit in a box approximately 4 x 6 inches (preferably 3 x 5 inches). We will be working VERY SMALL. You will be given a 5 x 7 inch piece of vellum, so your complete design must fit well within a 4 x 6 inch area for adequate framing. I STRONGLY encourage you to focus on one Capital letter only, rather than a whole text. I do not have time in this workshop to instruct you in the art of calligraphy; so unless you are comfortable with your own hand as it is, I suggest you stick to a single letter.
-- one or two round watercolor brushes, size 00, 0, or 1.
-- a sharp pencil, preferably a hard one, or mechanical pencil
-- a small 6 or 10-well plastic palette for mixing paints (esp. if you want to bring prepared paints home with you)
-- a magnifying glass or reading glasses if you think you might need them for small work
-- your own meals and accommodations for each day
Your Instructor:
Dr Tony Silvestri: An acclaimed lyricist, Charles Anthony Silvestri specializes in providing bespoke poetry for choral composers, especially texts in Latin, both sacred and secular. In addition to writing choral lyrics, Silvestri is also an accomplished artist/painter, specializing in replicating Medieval manuscript illumination and recreating the techniques and materials of Gothic and Renaissance panel painters and iconographers. He is a member of the CRAA and the Catholic Fine Arts Council, and has exhibited works internationally. He has earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Ancient and Medieval History from Loyola Marymount University and the University of Southern California. He currently lives with his children in Lawrence, Kansas, and teaches history at Washburn University. www.charlesanthonysilvestri.com
This three-day workshop and retreat with instructor Dr. Tony Silvestri will focus on the materials and techniques of Medieval manuscript illumination. Participants will use calfskin parchment, pure pigments, gold, and traditional techniques for painting and gilding to create a small illuminated letter of their own design. For a peek at the process we will follow see http://www.charlesanthonysilvestri.com/process.html. At the end of the workshop will be a blessing of the newly painted illuminations by Abbot James Albers OSB. Punctuated throughout the workshop will be optional time for prayer and reflection, and participation in sacraments, spiritual direction and in the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks.
Location: St. Benedict's Abbey, Atchison, KS
Date: Saturday, July 16 - Monday, July 18, 2016, 9am – 5pm each day with break for lunch, and Mass at 5:15 to bless our finished works
Fee: $225 for CRAA members; $250 for non-members (please make checks out to CRAA)
Certification: Fee includes a formal Certificate from CRAA
REGISTRATION: To register, please use the correct Part 1 Registration Form below
ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants must arrange their own lodging and meals for this workshop. Space is limited at the Abbey Guesthouse. To arrange lodging and/or meals at the Abbey, kindly contact Fr. Blaine at http://www.kansasmonks.org/guest-house-request.
Materials for Medieval Illumination Workshop
I will provide all the materials you need: calfskin parchment, pigments, binders, gold, and tools. But you could help by bringing the following:
-- An idea of the Letter you might like to illuminate, and an idea of the kind of decoration you might like to explore--floral, geometric, Celtic, Gothic, Modern, etc. For some inspiration, just Google "Illuminated Letters" and behold the astonishing array of styles and ideas. Please reduce your letter to fit in a box approximately 4 x 6 inches (preferably 3 x 5 inches). We will be working VERY SMALL. You will be given a 5 x 7 inch piece of vellum, so your complete design must fit well within a 4 x 6 inch area for adequate framing. I STRONGLY encourage you to focus on one Capital letter only, rather than a whole text. I do not have time in this workshop to instruct you in the art of calligraphy; so unless you are comfortable with your own hand as it is, I suggest you stick to a single letter.
-- one or two round watercolor brushes, size 00, 0, or 1.
-- a sharp pencil, preferably a hard one, or mechanical pencil
-- a small 6 or 10-well plastic palette for mixing paints (esp. if you want to bring prepared paints home with you)
-- a magnifying glass or reading glasses if you think you might need them for small work
-- your own meals and accommodations for each day
Your Instructor:
Dr Tony Silvestri: An acclaimed lyricist, Charles Anthony Silvestri specializes in providing bespoke poetry for choral composers, especially texts in Latin, both sacred and secular. In addition to writing choral lyrics, Silvestri is also an accomplished artist/painter, specializing in replicating Medieval manuscript illumination and recreating the techniques and materials of Gothic and Renaissance panel painters and iconographers. He is a member of the CRAA and the Catholic Fine Arts Council, and has exhibited works internationally. He has earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Ancient and Medieval History from Loyola Marymount University and the University of Southern California. He currently lives with his children in Lawrence, Kansas, and teaches history at Washburn University. www.charlesanthonysilvestri.com
OPEN RETREAT - Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Enjoy a quiet day of contemplation and prayer at the Abbey, with guided meditation with Father Jay Kythe, a member of the Abbey community.
Location: St. Benedict's Abbey, Atchison, KS
Date: Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Fee: None
REGISTRATION: No registration necessary, as this is a personal time with no organized activities.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants must arrange their own lodging and meals for this workshop. Space is very limited at the Abbey Guesthouse. To arrange lodging and/or meals at the Abbey, kindly contact Fr. Blaine at http://www.kansasmonks.org/guest-house-request.
Enjoy a quiet day of contemplation and prayer at the Abbey, with guided meditation with Father Jay Kythe, a member of the Abbey community.
Location: St. Benedict's Abbey, Atchison, KS
Date: Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Fee: None
REGISTRATION: No registration necessary, as this is a personal time with no organized activities.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants must arrange their own lodging and meals for this workshop. Space is very limited at the Abbey Guesthouse. To arrange lodging and/or meals at the Abbey, kindly contact Fr. Blaine at http://www.kansasmonks.org/guest-house-request.
Part 2: ICONOGRAPHY Workshop and Retreat - Wednesday - Sunday, July 20-24, 2016
Learn to paint an icon with Elizabeth Zeller OFS. We will paint a small icon in the traditional way as the monks did 1400 years ago, using egg yolk tempera, pure pigments, and real gold leaf, on a specially-prepared wooden panel, with blessing of the newly painted icons by Abbot James Albers OSB. Punctuated throughout the workshop will be optional time for prayer and reflection, and participation in sacraments, spiritual direction and in the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks. The workshop will focus on the themes and meaning of this Year of Mercy.
Location: St Benedict's Abbey, Atchison KS
Date: Wednesday - Sunday, July 20-24, 2016, 9am - 5pm daily
Fee: $500 for CRAA members; $525 for non-members (please make checks out to CRAA).
Certification: Fee includes a formal Certificate from CRAA
REGISTRATION: Contact Elizabeth Zeller by email: elizabeth@elizabethzeller.com to register, or use the correct Part 2 Registration Form below
ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants must arrange their own lodging and meals for this workshop. Space is limited at the Abbey Guesthouse. To arrange lodging and/or meals at the Abbey, kindly contact Fr. Blaine at http://www.kansasmonks.org/guest-house-request.
Materials for Iconography Workshop
INCLUDED in the workshop fee are the following materials: the prepared icon board, various images and designs, gold leaf, gilding materials, pigments and eggs.
YOU WILL NEED TO BRING the following materials:
-- a cup or jar for water for cleaning brushes
-- several round hair brushes of different small sizes (sable are best)
-- paper towels or an old cloth
-- a small container with lid for egg yolk tempera (like a baby food jar, cleaned and dry)
-- a wooden ruler or hand rest (12" or longer)
-- pencil, pen, and eraser
-- a notebook
-- Holy Bible
-- an image of an icon you would like to paint (there will also be many images available at the workshop)
YOU MAY BRING OR BORROW the following items: a needle for engraving; a compass, a tray or small-well pallettes for mixing colors;
ITEMS YOU MAY PURCHASE at the Workshop: Hand Rest, brushes
Your Instructor:
Elizabeth Zeller, OFS: is a member of the secular Franciscan Fraternity of the Holy Eucharist, iconographer, sculptor and painter. In 2010 she founded an "International Academy of Sacred Art" in the USA and represents the European Organization of Sacred Art "Imago", with pontifical recognition, founded by Cardinal Schoenborn. Elizabeth has served the Greater Kansas City Art Association as both President and Vice-President. She is also the founder and current Director of the CRAA, Contemporary Religious Artists Association with pontifical recognition and a member of the Catholic Fine Arts Council. She studied art, restoration, gilding and bookbinding as well as theology, liturgy and Gregorian Chant in Italy, Germany, Israel and the USA. www.elizabethzeller.com
Abbot James Albers, OSB: is a monk and ninth abbot of St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, Kan. Born in St. Joe (Ost), Kan., west of Wichita, Abbot James grew up north of Atchison in St. Benedict’s Parish, Bendena, Kan., staffed by monks of the Abbey. He attended Benedictine College graduating in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in theology and journalism. After working in public relations for just over a year, Abbot James returned to Atchison and entered St. Benedict’s Abbey in the fall of 1995. He professed first vows on December 8, 1996, and Solemn vows on October 2, 1999. After attending seminary at Ateneo Sant’Anselmo, Rome, Italy, he was ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 2000. Abbot James served the community as Prior for ten and a half years until he was elected as abbot by the community on December 28, 2012.
Learn to paint an icon with Elizabeth Zeller OFS. We will paint a small icon in the traditional way as the monks did 1400 years ago, using egg yolk tempera, pure pigments, and real gold leaf, on a specially-prepared wooden panel, with blessing of the newly painted icons by Abbot James Albers OSB. Punctuated throughout the workshop will be optional time for prayer and reflection, and participation in sacraments, spiritual direction and in the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks. The workshop will focus on the themes and meaning of this Year of Mercy.
Location: St Benedict's Abbey, Atchison KS
Date: Wednesday - Sunday, July 20-24, 2016, 9am - 5pm daily
Fee: $500 for CRAA members; $525 for non-members (please make checks out to CRAA).
Certification: Fee includes a formal Certificate from CRAA
REGISTRATION: Contact Elizabeth Zeller by email: elizabeth@elizabethzeller.com to register, or use the correct Part 2 Registration Form below
ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants must arrange their own lodging and meals for this workshop. Space is limited at the Abbey Guesthouse. To arrange lodging and/or meals at the Abbey, kindly contact Fr. Blaine at http://www.kansasmonks.org/guest-house-request.
Materials for Iconography Workshop
INCLUDED in the workshop fee are the following materials: the prepared icon board, various images and designs, gold leaf, gilding materials, pigments and eggs.
YOU WILL NEED TO BRING the following materials:
-- a cup or jar for water for cleaning brushes
-- several round hair brushes of different small sizes (sable are best)
-- paper towels or an old cloth
-- a small container with lid for egg yolk tempera (like a baby food jar, cleaned and dry)
-- a wooden ruler or hand rest (12" or longer)
-- pencil, pen, and eraser
-- a notebook
-- Holy Bible
-- an image of an icon you would like to paint (there will also be many images available at the workshop)
YOU MAY BRING OR BORROW the following items: a needle for engraving; a compass, a tray or small-well pallettes for mixing colors;
ITEMS YOU MAY PURCHASE at the Workshop: Hand Rest, brushes
Your Instructor:
Elizabeth Zeller, OFS: is a member of the secular Franciscan Fraternity of the Holy Eucharist, iconographer, sculptor and painter. In 2010 she founded an "International Academy of Sacred Art" in the USA and represents the European Organization of Sacred Art "Imago", with pontifical recognition, founded by Cardinal Schoenborn. Elizabeth has served the Greater Kansas City Art Association as both President and Vice-President. She is also the founder and current Director of the CRAA, Contemporary Religious Artists Association with pontifical recognition and a member of the Catholic Fine Arts Council. She studied art, restoration, gilding and bookbinding as well as theology, liturgy and Gregorian Chant in Italy, Germany, Israel and the USA. www.elizabethzeller.com
Abbot James Albers, OSB: is a monk and ninth abbot of St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, Kan. Born in St. Joe (Ost), Kan., west of Wichita, Abbot James grew up north of Atchison in St. Benedict’s Parish, Bendena, Kan., staffed by monks of the Abbey. He attended Benedictine College graduating in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in theology and journalism. After working in public relations for just over a year, Abbot James returned to Atchison and entered St. Benedict’s Abbey in the fall of 1995. He professed first vows on December 8, 1996, and Solemn vows on October 2, 1999. After attending seminary at Ateneo Sant’Anselmo, Rome, Italy, he was ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 2000. Abbot James served the community as Prior for ten and a half years until he was elected as abbot by the community on December 28, 2012.
All workshops include a Certificate of Attendance from CRAA
Organized by Contemporary Religious Artists Association (with Pontifical Recognition). www.contemporaryreligiousartists.org
Contact: Elizabeth Zeller, OFS, Tel 816-833-3312, elizabeth@elizabethzeller.com
Father Jay Kaythe, OSB, Tel 913.367.7853, jkythe@gmail.com
Checks made out to CRAA can be mailed to Elizabeth Zeller, 1912 S Osage, Independence MO, 64055 in advance of the workshops, or can be given to instructor at the time of the workshop. Pre-registration is required for all workshops. Please use the correct Forms below.
Organized by Contemporary Religious Artists Association (with Pontifical Recognition). www.contemporaryreligiousartists.org
Contact: Elizabeth Zeller, OFS, Tel 816-833-3312, elizabeth@elizabethzeller.com
Father Jay Kaythe, OSB, Tel 913.367.7853, jkythe@gmail.com
Checks made out to CRAA can be mailed to Elizabeth Zeller, 1912 S Osage, Independence MO, 64055 in advance of the workshops, or can be given to instructor at the time of the workshop. Pre-registration is required for all workshops. Please use the correct Forms below.
