Client: St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church

Overview

The Hospitality of Abraham and Sara is a traditional Byzantine icon which was painted as a mural on a wall. The size of this mural is 18 feet by 9 feet and painted in acrylic media incorporating 23 kt. gold leaf. The technique follows the traditional methodology of ancient Byzantine iconography passed on through many generations of iconographers.

Goals

The theme of the icon represents hospitality and was chosen specifically for a public space at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church. This public space is utilized and rented out for events such as weddings, dinners, memorial services, festivals, retreats and conferences by many community and private organizations. The project defined a very beautiful architectural space which looks out over Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis by adorning a room outside of the liturgical space of the church architecture. The project provides cultural, spiritual and liturgical elements inviting the onlooker into an understanding of the Greek Orthodox Church community. The art project allowed the members of the church community to share their heritage and traditions to outsiders which is very important to the mission of outreach for the parish in harmony with community.

Process

I, Debra Korluka, offered consultation to the members on the decorative committee of the church board. I recommended the prototype of the image which would be effective in the space. After the image was approved, I then offered a seminar educating the community about the icon and its tradition, specifically to the theme that it represented. I also shared with the community information about the step by step process while the project was underway. The project provided a means to build strength and togetherness while creating outreach for the community.

Additional Information

The project proved to be greatly successful on many levels; artistically, culturally and liturgically. The architectural space has taken on function and purpose.