“Beauty will save the world”
From Dostoevsky’s famous novel. At the Center for Byzantine Material Arts we are committed to making the world full of beauty through the icon.
We are a non-profit devoted to the beauty, teaching, techniques, materials, theology and history of the icons that have been cultivated in the Byzantine world and its religious and cultural commonwealth (Greece, Russia, the Balkans, the south of Italy, Georgia, etc.). We operate a gallery and studio where we sell, teach, and hold lectures all about the icon. Our programs are run by grants/donations and our gallery and courses are operated on consignments. Your contributions will make this unique place continue in its mission: to offer courses (in historical mediums) to the public from iconographers from all around the world and to cover the cost for our unique lecture series.
Monthly Lectures
One of our main outreach programs are public lectures given on the topic of iconography from international specialists and scholars. Our lectures are given by vocational iconographers, clergy, and professors on postdoctoral fellowships at Dumbarton Oaks, Catholic University of America, and other notable institutions.
Master Classes from Visiting Iconographers
We hold intensive and private courses on traditional iconography from our studio members, as well as other courses on drawing, script writing, gilding, etc... all focusing on traditional methods and materials of producing the icon. Our dream is to bring iconographers from all over the world who are masters in their historic mediums to teach a one-week program, and to bring the beauty of their art to our nation’s capital.
How Your Contributions Will Be Used
• Lectures: Honoraria for the speaker, refreshments, digital projector
• Advertising
• Master Classes: Airfare, room & board, teaching stipend, special supplies and shipping
All monies would go directly to the programs and you can suggest iconographers and programs to our staff. We'd be happy to hear of highly skilled vocational people who fit our mission to join us! We also welcome volunteers. If you would like to offer some of your time and skills, let us know!
More About Us
We have four members who run the studio; Colette M. Kalvesmaki (founder and director), Wayne Hajos (founding member), Karen Ward, and Richard Christin (carver and founding member). Visit our website: BYZARTS.COM to see the programs we have already offered through our short 2 years (Under “Archives”).
There are so many ways to help, just by spreading the word you can help promote courses and lectures you would like to participate in someday. Come by for a cup of fresh roasted coffee, we'd be happy to chat and share this beautiful gift, if not through courses then visit our store, you can always take an icon home.