1. NEW! Theoretical Online Course "Eastern Christian Iconography as Visual Theology".  More information here
 
2. We run an online courses of iconography with continuous intake. The groups of students for online tutoring are formed regularly. More information and samples of our video-lectures can be found here
 
3. For those who want to study iconography during the year there is a possibility of organizing a 14 days intensive program for individuals (beginners and advanced) and small groups (3-4 people, advanced). The program will be available starting from March 2022. For more information, please contact us at arsacra@gmail.com
 
4. For the information about Iconography Summer School 2022 (offline) please click this link
 
 

 

 

 "Radruzh" Iconography Studio and School is a unique project on the intersection of art, spirituality and academic learning. It offers high-quality practical lessons/courses in traditional Byzantine and Ukrainian iconography (using authentic medieval technique), as well as academic and amateur level courses in theory and history of the art. We professionally paint icons and can teach you this ancient art either in direct face-to-face lessons, or via distance learning (video-conferencing with individual real-time tutoring).

Who We Are and What We Do

Among the many icon painting schools available today in various countries, our school is distinct by the following features:

Truly International Outreach
We are one of the very few icon painting programs taking part in a traditionally Eastern Christian country, but offered in English and attuned to the needs of international audience. The format of a summer school, the duration that allows you to get immersed into the art, but still fits into an average vacation time-slot, an intensive cultural program, and good facilities make the school a really good choice for those wishing to combine learning with an unforgettable cultural and spiritual experience.

The Unity of Theological, Liturgical, and Artistic Experiences
We believe that iconography is a way of prayer and spiritual experience, rooted in the faith of the Church and the sense of beauty of Byzantine Christianity. We create an opportunity for our students not only to get competent instruction in practical icon painting, but also to attend theoretical courses on the theology and theory of art as well as to participate in daily liturgical services. Moreover, the process of the student`s learning is facilitated by numerous excursions and field-lectures on the rich collections of ancient icons in local museums and other monuments of Church art and architecture.

Learning the Ukrainian Iconographic Tradition
From a great variety of existing iconographic traditions, we focus on the authentic Ukrainian school of icon-painting: its original painting technique, distinct use of materials, unique features of style and composition. While the Ukrainian icon-painting school constitutes an integral part of the universal Christian iconographic tradition, it also boasts a high degree of originality and a distinctive local flavor, which we invite our students to appreciate. Our school is probably the only place in the world where you can get initiated into the authentic technique of the Western Ukrainian iconography of its classical period (15th -16th centuries.) This is thanks to a professional team of instructors and selection of courses and other activities that facilitate the students` learning process.

Rich Cultural Program
Last but not least, taking place in the beautiful historical city of Lviv, the program has a strong cultural element (city tours, field-trips to various interesting spots, attending cultural and recreational events in the city and the area), which will make your stay with us an unforgettable experience of immersion in Ukrainian culture, history and its dynamic present-day life.

Open to All
We strive to offer our students high-quality service that would allow them to learn the art in-depth. At the same time, we welcome people who do not have much artistic experience, training or even courage in their ability to paint an icon. We believe that everyone can try, and everyone can benefit for this experience. Many people come to us for meditative atmosphere, spiritual concentration, relaxation, and art-therapeutic experience.

 
We offer five types offline programs for people from abroad. They are designed for those who are interested in iconography, sacred art and Ukrainian religious culture.
 All programs are open to individuals and small groups (up to 15 persons), and will be run regularly (during the indicated dates) or based on special agreements with individual students or small groups:

 1. One-week "inspiring" program for people looking for cultural and spiritual enrichment by familiarizing themselves with religious art, history, and iconography. The program combines practical master-classes on the basics of icon painting, introductory lectures on various topics of Eastern Christian, Byzantine and Ukrainian art, theology and spirituality, and guided tours of museums that hold large collections of ancient icons and of local churches and architectural monuments. With the assistance of an experienced instructor student will finish their icon-great present for every occasion. Spending unforgettable time in the beautiful historical center of Lviv with its unique atmosphere is a bonus everyone will enjoy!
(Program available throughout the year based on an individual agreement – please contact us)

 2. One-week program focused on in-depth learning of the art of icon painting through a series of intensive workshops (6 days, 5 hours/day). This allows for mastering the basics of iconography and painting (with the help of our instructors) a simple icon – your first icon ever! This option is for highly-motivated persons, looking for the experience of deeper immersion in the iconographic art and acquiring good beginner’s practical skills in the art. Apart from icon painting workshops, participants will have the opportunity to visit museums with authentic medieval icons, have a tour of the city and participate in different cultural and recreational activities organized by the School.
(Program available throughout the year based on an individual agreement – please contact us)

 3. Two-week program combining the two options described above: cultural and spiritual immersion in the Ukrainian Christian tradition through icon-painting master classes, guided tours, and some lectures + an intensive iconography workshop during which the student can paint his/her own icon under the guidance of our experienced instructor. During these two weeks, participants will have time for learning, icon painting and exciting cultural and spiritual experiences.
(Program available during summers in June-July;  and throughout the year based on an individual agreement – please contact us)

 4.  A semi-proffesional intensive two-week program designed for highly-motivated students who wish to dedicate considerable time and effort to mastering the basics of iconographic art in a short time. During the week-days, in the mornings we will have classes on the theology and spirituality of icons, art history and iconographic theory (materials, composition, drawing, etc.). Afternoons will be dedicated to practical icon painting workshops (5 hours a day) during which each student will be able to complete his or her own icon. During the weekends we offer study trips to museums, religious and cultural sites and monuments.
(Program available during summers in June-July; in 2022 - July 10-24 )

5. Online course: we offer a distance-learning course for new and returning students that allows the participants to paint their own icon under the guidance of a personal tutor (via Skype mentoring,eng/ukr), have access to our video-archive with introductory lectures on various icons and learn the basics of the theology and symbolism of the icon through participation in online lectures. Registered participants will receive all the materials and supplies shipped to their address. All you need is internet access and time (approximately 4 hours a week) which you can dedicate to this course.
(Program available throughout the year based on an individual agreement – please contact us)

 

 

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