Iconography workshop and tour in Thessaloniki, Greece

Iconography workshop and tour

Thessaloniki, Greece

October 15-26, 2026

Come paint an icon with me in Thessaloniki, Greece! Each day, we will go on excursions to see a couple of sites, spending the rest of the day painting, completing an icon in egg tempera over the course of a week. There is so much to see in this walkable city--at least a little from almost every period: catacombs, early Christian and pre-iconoclastic Byzantine mosaics, middle and late Byzantine frescoes, and a fantastic icon museum, in addition to ancient ruins and a beautiful Aegean promenade. We will extend the trip by a few days to include breathtaking Meteora, Veria (an iconofile's paradise where St. Paul preached), Kastoria (a picturesque town in the middle of a lake with dozens of medieval churches), and Arta (a middle-Byzantine jewel box). Do you want to join me?

ITINERARY

Day 1 | Thursday 15 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

Arrival in Thessaloniki. Transfer to the hotel with a panoramic orientation tour of the city en route. Welcome dinner. Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 2 | Friday 16 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

Walking tour including Acheiropoietos, Hagia Sophia, and the Baptistry Catacomb of Saint John. Lunch at leisure. Workshop from 14:30 to 18:30. Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 3 | Saturday 17 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

Transfer to the Byzantine Walls and visit Vlatadon Monastery. Walk downhill to Latomou Hosios David and Prophet Elias. Return transfer to hotel. Lunch near the hotel. Workshop from 14:30 to 18:30. Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 4 | Sunday 18 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

Walk to Saint Demetrios Church for Divine Liturgy and continue to Saint Katherine. Lunch at leisure. Workshop from 14:30 to 18:30. Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 5 | Monday 19 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

Visit Saint Nicholas Orfanos, Rotunda, and Arch of Galerius. Lunch near the hotel. Workshop from 14:30 to 18:30. Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 6 | Tuesday 20 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

Metro ride and walk to Holy Apostles Church. Lunch at leisure. Final workshop session from 14:30 to 18:30. Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 7 | Wednesday 21 October 2026 | Veria and Kastoria

Departure by coach to Veria. Visits include the Byzantine Museum, Old Metropolis, and Christos Veroias. Lunch at leisure. Visit Panagia Soumela. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Kastoria.

Day 8 | Thursday 22 October 2026 | Kastoria to Arta

Visit the Byzantine Museum and selected churches in Kastoria, including Mavriotissa. Lunch at leisure. Drive to Arta. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Arta.

Day 9 | Friday 23 October 2026 | Arta to Meteora

Visit the churches of Arta including Parigoritissa, Saint Dimitrios Katsouris, and Saint Theodora. Visit the Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna. Lunch at leisure. Drive to Meteora. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Meteora.

Day 10 | Saturday 24 October 2026 | Meteora and Thessaloniki

Visit two to three monasteries in Meteora. Lunch at leisure. Return to Thessaloniki. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 11 | Sunday 25 October 2026 | Thessaloniki

Divine Liturgy at Panagia Dexia Church. Visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture. Participation in the Procession of Saint Demetrios. Farewell dinner. Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Day 12 | Monday 26 October 2026 | Departure

Celebration of Saint Demetrios Day. Transfer to the airport for departure.

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP:

Learn to paint a traditional Byzantine icon from start to finish under the instruction of Brian Matthew Whirledge, M.Ed., a teacher/iconographer who has painted hundreds of icons for homes and churches across the US for over a decade. Brian will help you make egg tempera paint from scratch, develop an underpainting, and artfully develop color, form, and light with egg tempera paint. We'll discuss the history and theology of icons, and see historic icons in context in daily walking tours of Thessaloniki, followed by a tour of Byzantine art in northern Greece.

You will receive step-by-step instruction, demonstration, and all materials to paint this icon. A workshop is a spiritual retreat, as you will spend hours in prayer, face-to-face with Christ and the saints. Brian's hands-on workshops are for everyone: beginners without artistic experience will create a successful icon while advanced painters will be challenged.

Traditional egg tempera is my preferred medium as well as the preference of iconographers for centuries. We’ll use eggs from my parents’ free-range chickens, and natural mineral pigments made by God Himself. Egg tempera uniquely transfigures creation into sacred images, combining the vegetable (wood panel), animal (eggs), and mineral (pigments) kingdoms.

You will paint your icon on a gessoed panel. Brian will guide you through the underpainting sketch and every step of painting. The workshop has a prayerful, retreat-like atmosphere.

Materials & Supplies:

All materials and supplies are included with tuition:

• Gessoed panel, prepared with traditional gesso made from chalk and rabbit skin glue.

• A set of pigments and egg

• A set of brushes, palette and palette knife

• Spray bottle, water cup, paper towels, brush soap, tape, pencil, etc.

• Handouts and printed materials

It is not necessary to bring any supplies, but you are welcome to bring your own brushes, a table easel, or any other supplies you want.

REGISTRATION:

Please register early. The class size is limited. Register online with a $100 non-refundable deposit in my online store. You can also mail a check (please contact me for my mailing address). Registration deadline and payment in full is due 2 weeks before the first class.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is provided in selected three, four, and five star hotels on a bed and breakfast basis.

COST

Student per person in double or twin room: $3150 USD (includes iconography workshop tuition and supplies).

Student per person in single room: $3,750USD (includes iconography workshop tuition and supplies).

Non-student per person in double or twin room: $2,600 USD

Non-student per person in single room: $3,200 USD

INCLUSIONS

• Workshop facilities including meeting room and refreshments

• Transportation with a luxury 35 seat coach and experienced driver

• Accommodation with daily breakfast

• Five dinners including farewell dinner

• Two lunches

• Licensed English speaking guide throughout the program except departure day

• Entrance fees to all sites and museums as per itinerary

• Audio guide system for the duration of the trip

• Environmental taxes, fuel, and tolls

• Liability insurance

EXCLUSIONS

• International Airfare to/from Thessaloniki SKG

• Meals not specified in the program

• Tips and gratuities

• Travel insurance

• Personal expenses