Project Summary

Iconography is a sacred and centuries-old art form deeply rooted in the Christian tradition, serving as a means of spiritual expression, theological teaching, and liturgical presence. The Coptic Church has preserved this unique form of sacred art and today seeks to pass on this heritage through a dedicated icon painting workshop in Jerusalem by one of her monks.

St. Antonios Charitable Society, in collaboration with the Coptic Church in Jerusalem would like to establish an icon painting training program in the Holy city of Jerusalem (beit Hanina). The initiative aims to both preserve this rich tradition and empower local community members (especially the youth) through artistic and spiritual engagement.

To begin, the project will involve the renovation of a small hall located within church property in Jerusalem. This space will serve as the training venue for the icon painting workshop. Following the renovation, the project will proceed with the implementation of the workshop, which includes providing materials, tools, and instructional support.

Objectives

The project objectives are:

• To renovate and equip a small hall in Jerusalem for iconography training.
• To conduct a structured icon painting workshop for local participants, particularly youth and artists.

Partnerships

St Antonios Charitable society and the Coptic Church are seeking partnerships with faith-based networks to raise funds for this initiative in covering:

• Renovation of the hall (plastering, painting, lighting, basic furnishings).
• Procurement of raw materials (wood panels, gesso, pigments, brushes, gold leaf, etc.).
• Facilitator fees and operational costs for the workshop (transportation, teaching aids, refreshments).