Under the direction of an experienced potter and gentle teacher, learn how making hand-built vessels can be a process of meditation. Teacher Virginia Matter OSB is a member of St. Paul’s Monastery and came to the Center from the health care field. She worked in nursing and in pastoral ministry. Virginia has done significant preparation …
View course details “Shape of the Divine: Working with Clay as Spiritual Practice”

Using what we see with our eyes and capture through the lens of our cameras, we will explore the urban setting of Toronto seeking out images of God. In the city, we encounter God and all that is sacred in so many experiences that we can easily overlook. We will be intentional about looking for …
View course details “Recognizing God in the City: Photographic Journey”

Join Hilary Smith in an exploration of two complementary forms of mindful meditation. Qigong is the ancient Chinese art and science of using gentle movement, breath and contemplation to harmonize the body with the mind and the spirit. The practice is accessible to people of all ages, sizes and levels of physical conditioning, and is …
View course details “Meditative Art and Movement”

Personal and Liturgical Creative Expression   The Art and Soul Retreat is a liturgical arts retreat designed to provide opportunities to connect with the Divine through many forms of artistic expression. Within a spiritual community of love and creativity, we strive to renew our minds and inspire our hands and voices in ordinary and extraordinary …
View course details “Art & Soul Retreat”

Join Hilary Smith in an exploration of two complementary forms of mindful meditation. Qigong is the ancient Chinese art and science of using gentle movement, breath and contemplation to harmonize the body with the mind and the spirit. The practice is accessible to people of all ages, sizes and levels of physical conditioning, and is …
View course details “Meditative Art and Movement”

“Beauty is that which glistens on the edges of our yearnings and lures us into the depth of things.” — Patricia Adams Farmer, Embracing a Beautiful God Whether we are contemplating a work of art or the striking form of a red cardinal against a snow laden tree branch, the experience of beauty involves us …
View course details “Living with Beauty (E-Course)”

Come to a safe space to find your most authentic voice and your truest words in writing. We’ll use contemplative practices such as meditation, silent hikes on your own, guided journaling, and art to coax your awareness, self-compassion and creativity. Emerge refreshed from the weekend with a renewed sense of yourself and artifacts from your …
View course details “Writing for Self-Discovery: A Women’s Retreat at Casa del Sol”

Master Iconographer Phillip Zimmerman will guide students through creating one complete icon (to be determined). Any level of experience is accepted. Each step is demonstrated to students, followed by time to copy what has been taught. Students will learn: filling in, rendering clothes and flesh, 23 karat gold leafing, and varnishing. In addition, students will …
View course details “Icon Writing retreat”

This retreat will explore the meanings and roles of angels in Icons. We will be painting a beautiful angel Icon using egg tempera and gold leaf gilding for this class. This class welcomes both beginners and more advanced students. We will also do some drawing of the features of the face to help Icon students …
View course details “Angels in Icons”

Limited to 10 participants. Ezra Pound wrote, “Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree.” Emily Dickinson wrote, “If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” In this workshop, we will endeavor to “take off the top of our …
View course details “Charging Language with Meaning”