Creating Sacred Art

Creating sacred art: a practical workshop

You are warmly invited to join Rev. Fay Barratt here at the Monastery, Manchester, for another practical and yet profound guided exploration into sacred art. This is very much a hands-on workshop. You will be creating your own sacred art.

The monthly sessions begin at 10.30am until 12.45pm, giving enough time for creating and sharing our creations. You can do the whole series from January to December or try a one off session. Classes are suitable for all abilities – beginners to professionals.

Bring forth what longs to come through you. Discover the unique sacred artist within. Connect with the universal creative force. Access the flow of life through spiritual practices. Experiment and make mistakes – often the best work arises out of a ‘mistake’. Learn practical skills to communicate visually. Try out different materials (All materials provided).

Who will teach me?

Rev Fay, who leads our monthly One Spirit Service, as well as being a vastly experienced artist and teacher, will support your individual expression of the sacred through the visual arts, working with a variety of media over the weeks including pastel, paint collage and clay.

Art & spirituality

We will approach the work through the gateway of different spiritual practices such as meditation, music, prayer and laughter.

Do I need any experience or special equipment?

This workshop is for all abilities and all materials will be provided. Please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting mucky, or bring an apron.

About May’s upcoming workshop from Rev. Fay

“I am really excited to do this month’s Sacred Art with you. We will use a practice from my Mary Magdalene and the Women Disciples cards and book. I will bring pastels and pens for this.  Please let me know if you are coming.

At the bottom of the page is the painting of Susanna who inspired this practice:

Re-membering. Drawing and Writing

A practice in some modern shamanic circles and in some psychotherapy is the process of soul retrieval, bringing back the lost parts of our soul. Just as Isis reassembled the body of Osiris so can we search for and find those ‘lost’ parts of ourselves, and like Osiris, find new life. Whatever happened to that young child who loved to sing and dance, or that brave joyous child, or that one who wasn’t afraid to be angry? Perhaps parts were lost in childhood or at any traumatic point on life’s journey. Perhaps some parts never came in when we were born. We can end up feeling scattered and not whole, even depressed. It can help to practice mindfulness or meditation. It is advisable to work with an experienced shaman or therapist for deep healing, as you will need to work in the unconscious space where treasures and traps, angels and demons abide.

Here I suggest a gentle practice to help you connect with your heart, the gateway to the soul. If you have a sacred oil, maybe rose or geranium, nothing too strong like spikenard or myrrh, it will help to have that fragrance on or around you.

Call in the presence of Susanna. Light a candle if you wish. Play some gentle music. Take a piece of paper, some pens and/or paints. Draw an outline of your body. Draw a heart in the centre of your chest. Maybe put the word love in it. From that heart draw/paint rays of love going to all parts of you. In each part of your body put a word or symbol for qualities and gifts you have, had or would like to have. Don’t censor yourself. If you want to write genius in the brain or miracle healer in your hands, do so. You are re-imagining and re-membering yourself. You can fill the page in and around the drawing of your body. You may want to revisit this creation over the next few days and weeks and add to it.”

How much does the workshop cost?

The fee is £20 per session,

£5 or £10 concessions to cover some costs

£30 for those that are able to give more to support this work.

After the cost of materials all money will be divided equally between Fay and the Monastery Trust.

Places are limited so please pay as soon as possible to ensure your place.  You will receive a refund if you are unable attend and let me know 36 hours before.

When are the workshops?

Every third Sunday of the month throughout 2024.

How do I book?

Please email fpbarratt@aol.com for bookings and/or enquiries.

Directions to the Monastery here.