MCFARLAND — On the campus of Christ the King Church in McFarland, part of Stella Maris Pastorate, master iconographer Drazen Dupor will lead an iconography workshop in February.
The workshop is open to all parishioners of the diocese, and it will take place from Friday, Feb. 21, to Sunday, Feb. 23.
The workshop is available for attendees of all skill levels; there is no prior experience needed.
By the end of the third day, attendees will have written a beautiful icon of St. Nicholas.
‘Writing’ icons
“We have in iconography art and religion, together,” said Dupor, explaining the reason why he has dedicated his life to this ancient Cretan artform and earliest artform of the Church.
Dupor said, that many people who are themselves not religious, ask him, “Why are you only painting religious icons?”
“I’m not happy, now, to paint this landscape,” he answers, gesturing to the wooded area outside.
To that point, the last time Dupor painted a self-portrait was in 1986, he shared.
“I’m not happy with that, but with icon, yes,” he continued.
“Iconography is not only nice to see; icons are helping people.
“Many people have problems. Praying with icons and waiting with icons is to feel like [you’re] meeting with that saint and with Jesus,” he explained.
“To see the faces from Heaven and to have connection with Jesus, with Mary, with some saint, the icon is the only solution [in] this world,” Dupor said.
The fact that prayer is an essential component of iconography, both during its creation and after it’s completed, is why Dupor has dedicated his life to traditional iconography, and it also explains why artists are said to “write” icons instead of paint them.
Dupor said that because colors aren’t blended in traditional iconography and because there are many distinct lines throughout each icon, those elements add to the argument that they’re written, rather than painted.
Praying with an icon, Dupor likened, is to pray with “a small window where you’re looking inside into Heaven”.
That prayer is the experience he invites all parishioners of the diocese to have in February.
Signing up and other details
This workshop, led by esteemed iconographer Drazen Dupor, will be held in the parish hall at Christ the King Church, located at 5306 Main St., McFarland, from Friday, Feb. 21 to Sunday, Feb. 23.
On Friday, the workshop will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, the workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.
On Sunday, the workshop will begin at 11:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.
Any parishioner in the diocese is welcome to attend; no prior experience is needed.
Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch, wear clothes suitable for painting, and arrive a few minutes early each day.
Dupor will provide all materials needed for the workshop, which includes brushes, paint, and the wooden panels that will be written on.
The cost to attend is $270, which is to be paid to Dupor on the day of the event.
Register ahead of the workshop, so that Dupor brings enough material for all participants.
To register, call the parish office at 608-221-1521 or email at [email protected]