2026 Summer Beginning Iconography Retreat

Registration Deadline:   May 26, 2026

June 22-27, 2026

Ancient Art, Living Prayer

No experience needed — just bring your open heart

Classical Iconography Institute invites you to step across the threshold of time into the sacred tradition of iconographers at Mount Angel Abbey, a quiet Benedictine monastery set high upon a hill in Saint Benedict, Oregon. Just as monastic iconographers practiced centuries ago, you will prayerfully transform a blank gessoed board to the Holy Face on the Cloth (Mandylion) with the luminous, ancient medium of egg tempera and real gold leaf.

Guided by professional iconography instructors in a quiet, contemplative environment, you’ll be immersed in the ancient methods of the early Christian sacred arts:

• Preparing egg emulsion and mixing your own pigments from ground minerals and natural earth ochres
• Learning varied brush and line techniques unique to egg tempera
• Applying pigments in luminous layers
• Gilding with real gold leaf
• Praying throughout this process

No prior painting or art background required. Every step is taught with care so that beginners and seasoned artists can experience iconography as a painted prayer.

Our mission is to preserve and teach one of the world’s most ancient techniques of painting practiced liturgically since the first century using historic pigments made from natural earth and ground minerals sourced from Zecchi’s Colori Belle Arti in Florence, Italy.  Zecchi’s is in the location of a continuously operational pigment purveyor since the 1300s and supplies the Uffizi with the very same pigments we provide you, to conserve the world’s masterpieces.  Your supplies will conform to historical methods.

Icon boards are handmade in the traditional method especially for retreat students.  Our gesso specialist will give a demonstration to share the process from start to finish to help you learn every aspect of iconography.

While June is typically a temperate month in Oregon, if you require air conditioning, you may wish to choose Option C for Commuters which includes only instruction and meals because the guesthouse rooms are not air-conditioned. Common spaces are air-conditioned.  Commuters join us for all the meals and activities, but are responsible for securing alternate housing themselves.

Choose Either Residential or Commuter Package

PLEASE NOTE:  The Guesthouse chef can accommodate a variety of food sensitivities; gluten free options are always offered.  Please feel free to let us know your dietary restrictions in advance and we will do our very best to make your meals pleasurable.

Residential Package A – Single Occupancy

1. Iconography Course instruction & activities from Monday evening to Saturday’s Icon Blessing.
2. Guesthouse: offers a queen bed and private bath with shower in upscale, retreat-style lodging, with access to adoration chapel and library. (Please note, there is no in-room air conditioning.)
3. Meal Plan (15 meals)
   1. • Monday:  Dinner
      • Tuesday – Friday:  Breakfast, lunch & dinner
      • Saturday:  Breakfast & lunch (dinner may be purchased separately for $25)

Residential Package B – Double Occupancy

1. Iconography Course instruction & activities from Monday evening to Saturday’s Icon Blessing for two people.
2. Guesthouse: offers a queen bed and private bath with shower in upscale, retreat style lodging, with access to adoration chapel and library. (Please note, there is no in-room air conditioning.)
3. Meal Plan (15 meals) per person 
   1. • Monday:  Dinner
      • Tuesday – Friday:  Breakfast, lunch & dinner
      • Saturday:  Breakfast & lunch (dinner may be purchased separately for $25)

Commuter Package C –  You Secure Housing

1. Iconography Course instruction & activities from Monday evening to Saturday’s Icon Blessing.
2. Meal Plan (15 meals)
   1. • Monday:  Dinner
      • Tuesday – Friday:  Breakfast, lunch & dinner
      • Saturday:  Breakfast & lunch (dinner may be purchased separately for $25)
3. ALTERNATE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR COMMUTERS:

• The Oregon Garden Resort
• Silverton Inn and Suites
• Visit AirBnB and search for Mt. Angel and/or Silverton

2025 Iconography Students with Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B.

A Sacred Conclusion

At week’s end, we gather in the Abbey Church for a Blessing of the Icons by the Abbot, a moment of joy and reverence to celebrate your experience transforming the blank board to the sacred image. A farewell lunch follows, with guests warmly welcome to join in the celebration.

Whether you come seeking a new form of prayer, a creative way to deepen your faith, or simply a quiet retreat into beauty, this week will open a door into the living tradition of iconography, the oldest sacred art of the Christian East and West.

Every year our classes sell out around February.  To avoid disappointment, please register well in advance of the deadline.  

If the retreat is marked as full, please request to be added to the waiting list by emailing:  support@classicaliconography.org.