Launch

We enjoyed meeting and connecting with many who came out to our launch event a few weeks ago! We are energized seeing this Capitol Hill rowhouse packed with a wonderful mix of creative folks with diverse talents, backgrounds, and experiences. The community response to Vita Poetica confirms the appetite creatives have to be together in this city.

Setting the stage for us, our guest speaker Deborah Sokolove spoke of the deep spiritual work of making art and our transformative journey as artists toward a vision of who we are meant to be. Thank you, Deborah, for sending us onward with your inspiring words. And thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate and be in community!

We want to leave you here with the “Iconographer’s Rules” from the Eastern Orthodox tradition, which Deborah shared with us at the launch. As you read, we invite you to personalize it to fit your art medium and faith tradition. And “never forget the joy of the work” of making art.

Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in DC.

Iconographer’s Rules from Byzantine Image:

Before starting work, make the sign of the Cross; pray in silence and pardon your enemies.

Work with care on every detail of your icon, as if you were working in front of the Lord Himself.

During work, pray in order to strengthen yourself physically and spiritually; avoid all useless words, and keep silence.

Pray in particular to the Saint whose face you are painting. Keep your mind from distractions, and the Saint will be close to you.

When you choose a colour, stretch out your hands interiorly to the Lord and ask His Counsel.

Do not be jealous of your neighbour’s work; his/her success is your success too.

When your icon is finished, thank God that His Mercy granted you the grace to paint the Holy Images.

Have your icon blessed by putting it on the Holy Table of your parish church.

Be the first to pray before it, before giving it to others.

Never forget:

- the joy of spreading icons throughout the world.

- the joy of the work of icon writing.

- the joy of giving the Saint the possibility to shine through his/her icon.

- the joy of being in union with the Saint whose face you are revealing.