Icon Retreat at Nashota House Seminary, Delafield, Wisconsin
Christine Hales teaching an Icon Retreat
An Iconography Retreat at Nashotah House
June 16-20, 2025
Hosted on the beautiful campus of Nashotah House Theological Seminary, Encountering God: The Art of Iconography is an opportunity for prayer, fellowship, and instruction in iconography. Through this week-long retreat, led by two experienced iconographers, you are invited to enter into the long and rich Christian tradition of iconography.
Iconography is a discipline of hand, heart, and mind that focuses one’s attention on Christ, a saint, or biblical event. The aim is not merely to illustrate a biblical subject, but to encounter God in deep and fresh ways.
Participants may choose one of two tracks:
Byzantine-Style Icon Writing with Christine Hales will introduce you to Byzantine style iconography.
Wood Relief Carving with Bishop Trevor Walters will teach you how to form icons with chisels from a wood block.
In addition to the practice of iconography, we will explore its history and theology, with instruction from Dr. Lauren Whitnah, Dean of Nashotah House; Dr. Jim Watkins, Affiliate Professor of Theological Aesthetics at Nashotah House; and Dr. Robyn Wrigley-Carr, Associate Professor in Spirituality and Spiritual Care at the University of Divinity in Australia.
Open to iconographers of all skill levels, this retreat will guide beginners every step of the way while also offering more advanced instruction to those with more experience.
