A Brush with God—An Icon Workshop with the Suffering Christ

Thursday, May 20, 6:30-9 p.m.; Friday, May 21, 6:30-9 p.m.; Saturday, May 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Facilitated by Peter Pearson

Byzantine Iconography is a highly structured and disciplined art form which combines prayer and painting techniques to create serene images of Christ, Mary, the angels and the saints following centuries old guidelines.  Peter Pearson has been studying and painting icons for more than fifty years and teaching others to do so for over half that time.

Participants will be invited to envision and paint a contemporary Greek icon called Christ the Bridegroom, with vibrant colors and a deeply expressive face. No previous experience or natural talent is required.

Registration is required; space limited to 20 people. supplies and selected meals across the three-day workshop. Partial scholarships are available.

Part of the Wisdom School 2026-27 season

NOTE: This event is in-person only.

Peter Pearson, a Franciscan, has been studying and painting icons for 50 years and teaching iconography for more than 25 years.  Self-taught for the first 15 years, Peter has studied with Nina Bouroff, Phillip Zimmerman, Nicholas Papas, Charles Rohrbacher, Valentin Streltsov, Damian Higgins, Xenia Pokrovsky, and Michael Kapeluck. Peter studied drafting and color at the International Institute of Design in Washington, D.C. and holds an Masters of Divinity in Sacred Theology from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, P.A. Presently Peter is working on a Doctorate in Sacred Theology, of which his thesis addresses the parallel development of liturgy and liturgical space throughout the centuries.  Peter is the author of “A Brush with God: An Icon Workbook” and “Another Brush with God: Further Conversations about Icons,” both published by Morehouse and may be purchased through Church Publishing.