FullFebruaryNewsletter
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02/21/2025
Dear Friends of the Sacred Arts,
Please join us in welcoming Maureen O'Brian, a gifted author and talented writer, passionate about the Sacred Arts. We are very happy to welcome Maureen to our team as a columnist for our newsletter as well as one of our inspirational instructors for the Sacred Art Institute, here on Ender's Island.
Again, please join us in welcoming Maureen O'Brian and her NEW Column entitled: "The Creating Heart: Meet Our Sacred Artists"
NOTE: Students wishing to apply for scholarships need to apply NOW...
Notifications will begin going out to accepted candidates next month.
See below to apply!
May your days be filled with Abundant Blessings, and may your art continue to inspire and uplift those around you! Remember, your unique artistic expression is a gift to the world.
Your brother in Christ,
THE CREATING HEART: MEET OUR SACRED ARTISTS
"Pushing Past Doubt to Find God’s Beauty"
The Sacred Art Institute (SAI) is thrilled to welcome back internationally renowned painter Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs for the week-long workshop “The Idealized Portrait” from May 4 to 9, 2025. The workshop is designed for all seekers, from beginners to more experienced; it will feature live models and encourage students to draw from their imaginations.
This last year has been incredibly fruitful for Thompson-Briggs as her portrait Our Lady of Champion was commissioned by the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress. It is a stunning depiction of the only Church-approved Marian apparition in America. After being unveiled at the Congress--where the Sacred Art Institute also had an outstanding presence with their “Do This in Memory of Me” exhibition— the painting now has a permanent home at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin. Pilgrims seek out this artwork there and also describe being washed over with a sense of peace as they stand on the exact spot where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in 1859. This captivating painting speaks to our world today, a world of so many who are suffering.
Our Lady of Champion by Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs
"In this depiction of Our Lady, she meets our scars with her love, hope, gentle winds, and guidance."
But what was it like for this gifted artist to actually paint this moving, original image? While we view the beauty and wholeness of the final product, Thompson-Briggs shared that the journey of creating this artwork was initially filled with much doubt. She had to push beyond her own fears. “Why am I doing this?” she asked herself. “I should just stop. But in the end, I did my best, there it is.” How did she pick up her brush and face the inner critic? “It’s so impossible to paint Our Lady as beautiful as she is— I knew I would fail, so I just tried.”
“Her willingness to connect with her canvas keeps benefitting us all.”
Thompson-Briggs came to this conclusion: “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be of God’s will and be inspiring.” Even an artist as accomplished as Thompson-Briggs must push through to fully commit. Her willingness to connect with her canvas keeps benefitting us all, for she did, in fact, exquisitely capture Mary’s radiance and grace. The artist’s immense gift led to an image of the Blessed Mother, filled with the softness and maternal gentleness we so need.
And now, how does she feel about her work? “That gold, I fell in love with her sash,” she says. Our Lady of Champion is also draped in an airy, pearl-colored veil. “The veil, the shrouding. Her brilliance needs to be heavenly, a barrier between us and Our Lady. It shows how there is always more to know--you never reach her fully.”
Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs, with her painting "Our Lady of Champion"
For anyone considering taking this forthcoming workshop yet hesitating, here is something to consider: Thompson-Briggs is a model for taking artistic risks and pushing through. She is “dedicated to reviving techniques, from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, to reveal the glory of God in the midst of today’s crises… I have no doubt there will be new movements in art. We have to go back; innovation comes from growth.” What an incredible opportunity to study with a painter so deeply and fully engaged in her own process. Students who have previously studied with Thompson-Briggs here at the Sacred Art Institute have responded to her teaching glowingly.
One writes, “Gwyneth was a fantastic instructor. Patient, encouraging, and challenging me in ways that made me excited to learn and take new risks. I can’t say enough.”
As we head towards spring, the SAI looks forward to all the precious, sacred work that will be created in this workshop and in all its upcoming programs. As Our Lady of Champion said in her apparition, “Go and fear nothing; I will help you.”
Find out more about Gwyneth Thompson Briggs at:
WORKSHOPS WITH THE MASTERS
May 4 - 9, 2025
Students will learn how to draw idealized portraits by combining elements observed from live models with their imaginations. This type of portrait is well suited to sacred and mythological subjects. Beginners will use graphite while more experienced students have the option to work in oil.
Pysanky Workshop
With Father Paul LuniwTwo separate workshops
March 29, 2025 and April 5, 2025
Celebrate Easter with the ancient Ukrainian tradition of Pysanky. Father Paul Luniw, pastor of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Terryville, CT returns for this favorite day class. Father Paul has been practicing this art since his youth and has shared his gift with many people from around the world, including the Holy Father. In 2019 he was able to present an egg to Pope Francis and explain to him the process.
Essentials of Iconography:
Writing the icon of King David
With Marek CzarneckiMay 18 - 23, 2025
King David was the greatest king of Israel, author of the psalms, father of Solomon and noble ancestor of Our Lord. This powerful 15th century Russian prototype was originally part of the prophet’s tier of an icon screen and is kept in Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. This is one of the best and highest examples of the Moscow school of Russian Orthodox Iconography.
An Introduction to Drawing with Charcoal
With Mia LangMay 25 - 30, 2025
Charcoal and graphite portraits very visibly capture the spirit and emotion of figures in pieces. This course’s goal is to explore how to capture the mind and heart of the viewer and lead them to contemplation through charcoal portraits. This workshop will include how to choose a subject matter that pulls in the viewer’s emotion, how to create an accurate sketch of a figure, the facial features and gestures that create evident emotions, and how to bring the portrait to life using different forms and techniques of charcoal and graphite.
UPCOMING ART INSTITUTE SURVEY
Your input to our upcoming survey is critical to shaping the future of our sacred art institute. Early next month, we will conduct an online comprehensive survey to better understand your needs and desires as art students and lovers of fine art. You will be notified beforehand via this newsletter. Your input will be much appreciated.
Honesty and not flattery will gain us everything.
God bless you in advance of your support.
ART SALES
One of our goals at St. Edmunds Sacred Art Institute is to promote sales and commissions on behalf of sacred artists. We have already sold over $20,000.00 worth of original works from the National Eucharistic Revival Sacred Art Exhibit, as well as many prints from the exhibit entries. We will continue to advertise, promote, and encourage the sale of these sacred artworks in collaboration with all those artists who chose to sell their sacred art.
Your pastors play a crucial role in promoting sacred art. Encourage them to purchase and display beautiful sacred artwork in your church. Send this link to them or forward this email.
ARTIST COMMSSION PROGRAM
St. Edmund's Sacred Art Institute is initiating an "Artist Commission Program" to be announced next month. We will be reaching out to artists for consideration to be listed. You may contact us at [email protected]
SACRED ART SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Have you longed to sign up for a workshop and practice your art here on Enders Island but found the economics challenging? The Sacred Art Institute fully understands the sacrifice that artists make for their art and is here to support you with scholarships! Consider following your longing; this is an incredible opportunity to find community and study with top-tier art instructors in a place of spectacular beauty.
All weeklong classes are now eligible for financial aid to be awarded to students who are committed to furthering their skills in the Sacred Arts! If you feel you fit this description and would like to be considered for this generous opportunity to be taught the techniques of the masters by our highly skilled instructors, please reply to the email address below at your earliest convenience with 3-4 images of your works and a short description of what you’d like to achieve in your studies in the arts. Please include your contact information and the best time to reach you by phone.
Get your applications in now; qualified artists will receive notice of scholarships beginning in early March.
Payment plans are available as well.
If you have any questions please feel free to call us!
CLASSES LISTED BEGIN SOON!
SO APPLY NOW!
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!REFERRAL PROGRAM!
Refer a friend to attend a weeklong workshop and receive a 20% discount on the next weeklong workshop you attend. Students who successfully referred another student to a weeklong workshop will qualify for this discounted offer.
STAY INFORMED
Enders Island in Mystic, CT is home to The Sacred Art Institute and St. Edmund’s Retreat. The ministry of Enders Island is dedicated to the work of spiritual care, recovery from addiction and education in Sacred Art.
St. Edmund’s Retreat, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization | EIN: 56-2409535. Contributions to support our mission can be made online or by calling our office.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday
8:30AM-4:30PM(Closed 12PM t0 12:45PM)
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