Holy Cross Monastery Icon Writing Retreat, July 14-17, 2026
Saint Francis and the Wolf of Lubbio Icon
We will be painting an icon oSaint Francis and the wolf of Lubbio, using egg tempera on gessoed wood panel with gold leaf gilding, in the traditional Byzantine method. It’s a lovely and meaningful icon to paint, and you do not need to be an artist to paint an icon! I give step by step demonstrations and supply the drawing for the icon as well as all of the materials.
So come and join us for an unforgettable encounter with icon writing in a beautiful, prayerful setting of the monastery. Lodging, meals, and tuitions, and icon materials are all included in the price: Call 845-384-6660 Ask for the Guest House to Register.
Comment from a recent icon retreat: “Thank you, Christine. Your icon class made me fall in love with icon painting! I hope to see you in the future!” Laura
“Christine, you are a gift to our (Anglican) stream”, Bishop Trevor Walters
Icon Writing Retreat Description
Holy Cross Monastery, an Anglican Benedictine Community
Located at: 1615 Route 9W, West Park, New York , P.O. Box 99
West Park, New York 12493
Phone: 845-384-6660 Ask for the Guest House to Register
Contact the Guest House to Register: guesthouse@hcmnet.org.
SAVE THE DATES! July 14-17 2026. Registration through the Guest House email link or phone number above.
March 24-27, 2026. Icon Writing Retreat, Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota, Florida
Icon Writing Retreat, March 24-27, 2026 at Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota, Florida.
Madonna and Christ Child Icon by Christine Hales, after Andre Rublev
March 24-27, 2026, Icon writing retreat at the Beautiful Church of the Redeemer, 222 South Palm Ave., Sarasota.
We will be painting the icon of the Madonna and Christ Child using egg tempera paints with gold leaf gilding on gessoed icon board.
Classes meet each of the four days, March 24-27 from 9:30AM- 4:00 PM with a lunch break in the middle of the day. There is an optional 10:00 Am Eucharistic Service each day.
All levels of ability and experience are welcome. Beginners are welcome as well as intermediate level iconographers. Please let Christine know if you are a beginner and need more guidance before the class begins. There’s always more to learn! Beginners and advanced students have much to offer each other in this creative, prayerful learning environment. Writing Icons is a spiritual journey as well as an artistic discipline. Each Icon that we write teaches each of us to deepen our faith and improve our skills.
This Four Day Class will take inspiration from Byzantine Icons, and the Icon of Madonna and Child. This retreat is a Spiritual Journey inviting us to explore issues related to healing, faith and spirituality, cultural identity, tradition, and community within the icon writing process of prayer and painting. This class will focus on combining prayer and Icon painting using egg tempera paints and gold leaf gilding.
Each day will begin at 9:30 AM, Lunch 12:30-1:30, Afternoon session 1:30- 4:00PM
Snacks will be provided, but meals, travel, and accommodations are on your own. Sarasota has lots of wonderful restaurants, ubers, and hotels. Enjoy!
Total workshop cost: $400. Most supplies included, including the gessoed board. To register with a $100 Deposit, Click Here:
February 10-13, 2026 Icon Writing Retreat with Christine
February 10-13, 2026
The Cathedral of Saint Peter, St. Petersburg, Florida
Icon Writing Retreat ! Come and join us for another wonderful Icon writing Retreat in sunny Florida! We will be painting the icon of Christ , the original is by the Italian master Duccio.
As always, we will be using egg tempera on a gessoed wood board with 23k gold leaf gilding. Learn more about our beloved Christ, his life and miracles and finish with your own beautiful icon!
It’s not about making the perfect icon, but it is about having an encounter with God through art materials, understanding Christian Icon history, and prayer and being able to share that experience with others so they can be blessed too.
All levels of ability and experience are welcome. Beginners are welcome as well as intermediate level iconographers. Please let Christine know if you are a beginner and need more guidance before the class begins. There’s always more to learn! Beginners and advanced students have much to offer each other in this creative, prayerful learning environment. Writing Icons is a spiritual journey as well as an artistic discipline. Each Icon that we write teaches each of us to deepen our faith and improve our skills.
Students are encouraged to develop their skill set slowly, step by step, at their own pace. It is not expected that the Icon will be finished at the end of the four days, but usually they are. You will be gently guided, step by step through what in reality is a rather complicated process, made simple for you in these classes.
The Daily Schedule is from 10AM-4PM.
Register soon to save your place!
To register with a deposit of $100 click here:
Once registered, you will receive parking details, lunch suggestions, etc.