Midsummer Art Retreat: Landscapes of My Soul in the Monastery 6/2027

Teacher

Riikonen Juha

I am TT Juha Riikonen, a permanent teacher at Valamo College. I teach theological subjects. My main courses are related to the Orthodox way of life, such as “Get to Know Orthodoxy” and “Should I Become Orthodox?”. I also teach retreat courses. My special expertise lies in church history. By profession, I am also a historian. My doctoral research focused on the canonical, or church administrative, dispute between the Finnish Orthodox Archdiocese and the Moscow Patriarchate in 1945–1957. The topic is very timely again, as the political situation in Europe has escalated with the war in Ukraine. My home region Ilomantsi and Karelian identity are an important part of my identity.

Teacher

Kivistö Susanna Maria

Susanna Maria Kivistö is an artist, art pedagogue, and spiritual growth instructor, for whom art is a way to explore humanity, nature, the existence of the entire universe, and different levels of consciousness.

She is inspired by the boundlessness and freedom of art, and the opportunity for inner transformation offered by the art process. “Art is a free space to play, to wonder with curiosity, as if seeing everything for the first time. By surrendering to the art process, we can discover new possibilities, transform stagnant energy into flowing. Art is joy and solace.”

Her pedagogical final projects dealt with the art process and the significance of spiritual development for the artist and art teacher. “We are often aware of injustices in this world, we need courage to face our own shadows, and then our light also creates peace in the world.”

Susanna Maria lives and works at Art Center Järvilinna in Laukaa. Her website can be found at www.susannamaria.com.