Course description
As humans, we are part of nature, we merge with creation. Connection with our inner self, creation and the Creator creates a sense of meaning throughout life. Seeing, cultivating and recognizing beauty gives rise to gratitude, and gratitude gives rise to the desire to praise. Seeing the sacred in everything creates respect for all creation. At the same time, understanding and compassion for our life's journey, including ourselves, are created. In the course, we use natural materials and colors, such as turmeric, berries and other plants, from which the colors are partly extracted on site. We paint with fingers, twigs and self-made brushes. We use soy milk as a binder, for example. The painting locations are peaceful areas in the lap of nature - including the lake shore, the pier and the surroundings of the tsasou.
Literature and uplifting texts serve as inspiration for artistic work. There are also simple songs and humming that strengthen the connection between body and mind. Prayer, singing, reading spiritual texts and painting alternate and open our senses to the holiness that is present everywhere. In addition, course participants have the opportunity to use a lakeside sauna and take a dip in the refreshing Juojärvi, even with their own painting. While making art, we collect herbal ingredients from nature, with which we can gently pamper our bodies in the relaxing steams of the sauna. The course is mainly held outdoors, weather permitting. In case of rain or cold weather, a classroom is available. The course does not require previous art experience - an open mind and a desire to participate are sufficient. It is suitable for everyone who longs for a connection with nature, spiritual immersion and creative expression. The course is guided by artist, art pedagogue and spiritual growth instructor Susanna Maria Kivistö and librarian Virva Suvitie of the Valamo Monastery Orthodox Special Library.
The material fee of 35 € is paid separately to the teacher either in cash or with mobilepay.
Accommodation the night before the course is included in the course price, any meals on 28.7. are paid to Trapesa at normal prices.
The Epass mobile application is used as a payment method for this course.
Course program
Wednesday 29.7.
9.00 Welcome
The body as an instrument of the soul.
Attuning the essence. Gentle movement and sound.
10.00 Getting to know painting materials and starting your own painting process.
Silence and movement in painting.
12.00 Moleben, opportunity to participate in a prayer service in the main church / Lunch at the café-restaurant Trapesa
14.00 Sensing nature as a source of the creative process.
Free painting outdoors if possible.
15.30 Thanksgiving service at the St. Nicholas Church
16.30 Tea time (self-published)
17.00 Literary inspirations for art
18.00 IX hour. Evening service. Small post-evening service and evening prayers in the main church
19.30 Evening meal
Thursday 30.7.
6.00 Midnight and morning service. St. John Chrysostom's liturgy in the main church
7.30-10 Breakfast in the café-restaurant Trapesa
9.00 The body as an instrument of the soul.
Tuning the essence. Gentle movement and sound.
9.30 Color as a source of the creative process.
Extraction of color.
The essence and nature of color.
Free painting outdoors if possible.
12.00 Moleben, opportunity to participate in a prayer service in the main church / Lunch in the café-restaurant Trapesa
14.00 Play as a source of the creative process.
Free painting outdoors if possible.
15.30 Getting to know the churches, art and miracle-working icons of Valamo
16.30 Tea time (self-funded)
17.00 Written inspirations for art
18.00 IX hour. Vespers. Small post-vespers service and evening prayers in the main church
19.30 Evening meal
Friday 31.7. Exposition of the Honorable and Life-giving Cross
6.00 Midnight and morning services. I moment in the main church
7.30-10.00 Breakfast at the café-restaurant Trapesa
9.00 Guided walk through the cemetery and a peek into its tsasou
Line, light and shadow as the source of the creative process.
Charcoal drawing and painting in the cemetery and its surroundings.
12.00 Moleben, opportunity to participate in a prayer service in the Main Church / Lunch at the café-restaurant Trapesa
13.30 Rudolf Koivu – Fairytale Illustrator art exhibition and verbal art session - directed by art educator, journalist Pia Ursula Paananen
15.00 Beach sauna, women's sauna shift
16.30 Beach sauna, men's sauna shift
18.00 IX moment. Evening service. Morning service, at the end of which the cross is carried out and bowed. I moment in the old church
19.30 Evening meal
Saturday 1.8. The Fast of the Mother of God: 1-14.8.
7.30-10.00-10.00 Breakfast at the café-restaurant Trapesa
9.00
16.30 Prayer of thanksgiving. Closing lunch of the course.
12.00
