“Meet the Artist” FATHER DAMIAN Iconographer

Saturday March 16, 2019 – 11:00 – 12:30 at Ukiah Garden Club, 1203 W. Clay St, Ukiah

The Mendocino County Art Association (MCAA) presents another opportunity to “Meet the Artist”, this time meet Father Damian, Abbot and Iconographer at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Redwood Valley. Although local, he travels the Country giving lessons in the art of creating Icons. His Icons are held in esteem throughout the world. Meet and discuss iconography on March 16 at the Ukiah Garden Club at 1203 West Clay Street from 11am to 12:30pm. This is open to the public at no cost. For more information call Polly Palecek at 707 462-0246.

He will discuss his life as a monk and his road to becoming a traveling instructor as well as the methodology of iconography.

There will be a display of Father’s work as well as icons created during his retreats by local artists. Whether or not you are interested in the religious aspect of these icons you will enjoy interacting with Father Damian as his personality and sense of humor will captivate you.

Fathers introduction to iconography is noted on their website…’He arrived at Mt Tabor to a room filled with icon supplies that had been abandoned by previous novices. Then Abbot Boniface and Father Michael determined that Brother Damian, who was now greatly accomplished at drawing nothing, should devote himself to something a bit more salvific.  Dominic Parrish, a quasi-hermit monk of the Tenderloin in San Francisco, offered to come teach Br. Damian the iconography discipline.  Brother Parrish had no time for “un-teaching a trained artist but was willing to work with the ignorant,” so a great partnership was born as Br. Damian fit this bill perfectly. Dominic prepared a board and then proceeded to paint 15 small icons of Our Lady of Kazan–each in a different phase-so that rather than telling his pupil about icons and how to paint them, he helped the young monk to SEE”.. And the rest is history.

Father Damian is not only an icon in himself, he is charming and very witty, and always entertains during his workshops. You will enjoy his presentation and discussion of iconography as well as his sense of humor. He now teaches far and wide, as well as classes at Mt Tabor in Redwood Valley, instructing up to 12 retreats annually to religious and nonreligious students interested in this ancient method of iconography. Class information can be found at monksofmttabor.com.

The Mendocino County Art Association is the oldest art organization in the County, established in 1954, its objective is to offer lectures, workshops, classes and art exhibits for the benefit of its members and the public at large. The “Meet the Artist” series is the latest addition of presentations open to all at no cost. Members receive first option to attend workshops at a reduced rate and opportunities to show their art in banks and galleries. Membership in the association is $35 a year, more information on membership and the benefits can be found at mendocinoartassn.org.