Bryn Athyn Sacred Arts

The Bryn Athyn Sacred Arts program presents courses in blacksmithing, stained glass, and stone carving taught by nationally recognized master craftsmen. In addition to the hands-on workshops, participants will watch demonstrations, examine original medieval pieces, and explore National Historic Landmarks.

Classes are held in the heart of the Bryn Athyn Historic District. The idyllic setting and magnificent resources offer an unparalleled learning experience. Participants not only have access to Bryn Athyn's landmarks—including Glencairn Museum, Cairnwood Estate, and Bryn Athyn Cathedral—but they can also study the preliminary drawings and models made by the original craftsmen, as well as the medieval works that inspired them.

Sacred Arts Courses

Choose from three intensive courses, or try the Sacred Arts Sampler for an introduction to all three. There are two four-hour sessions each day, with a lunch break in between.

Each course qualifies for one Act 48 Professional Development Credit.

Weekend SamplerFri, June 28 - Sun, June 30

Try your hand at the ancient crafts of blacksmithing, stained glass, and stone carving in our Sacred Arts Sampler. Each day will be dedicated to learning a different art. Participants will complete a final project which will combine the skills that make up the core of the Sacred Arts. The sampler is taught by master craftsmen - Warren Holzman (Blacksmithing), J. Kenneth Leap (Stained Glass), and Jens Langlotz (Stone Carving).
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Blacksmithing | Taught by Warren HolzmanThurs, July 11 - Sun, July 14

Gain inspiration from the metalwork found throughout the Bryn Athyn Historic District, from intricate keys, to monel metal screens, to handcrafted doors. Then try your hand at the ancient craft of blacksmithing. In this project-based course, you will learn the basics of forging from master craftsman Warren Holzman and then make one or two projects, ranging from simple furniture to ornamental work.

Warren Holzman studied sculpture under Phoebe Adams at Kutztown University where he received his BFA in 1994. He was awarded blacksmithing assistantships at Peters Valley Craft Center and the Pennland School of Crafts, and he has worked as an industrial fabricator, refining his metalworking skills and dedicating himself to his craft. In 2000, Holzman opened the Iron Studio Ltd., a custom blacksmithing shop in Philadelphia known for its high-level craft. Warren was recently commissioned by the City of Philadelphia to build a piece of site-specific public art for Hawthorne Park in South Philadelphia. He is an adjunct sculpture and large metals teacher at Moore College of Art and Design, and he teaches forging at Bryn Athyn College.
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Stained Glass | Taught by J. Kenneth LeapThurs, July 11 - Sun, July 14

Learn techniques from Glencairn Museum’s collection of over one-hundred stained glass panels from the Middle Ages. After studying the fluid brush strokes of actual twelfth-century windows, you will be inspired to create your own masterpiece. J. Kenneth Leap, Glencairn Museum’s stained glass artist in residence, will teach you a variety of glass painting techniques and help you produce your own glass panels.

J. Kenneth Leap is primarily recognized for his achievements in the field of architectural stained glass. Working in a tradition that dates back to medieval Europe, Leap creates his pieces by hand-painting glass with vitreous pigments, fusing the color to the glass by firing it in a kiln, and assembling the glass into panels. His painterly work in stained glass has earned him numerous awards including a fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a juror’s award of honor in the Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibition “Contemporary Philadelphia Artists,” and inclusion in the Corning New Glass Review. He is currently the stained glass artist in residence at Glencairn Museum, adjunct professor at Bryn Athyn College, Vice President and Education Chair of the American Glass Guild, and member of the British Society of Master Glass Painters.
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Stone Carving | Taught by Jens LanglotzThurs, July 11 - Sun, July 14

Before picking up your hammer and chisel, you will be able to examine the intricate stonework on the interior and exterior of Bryn Athyn Cathedral and Glencairn Museum. Guided by master craftsman Jens Langlotz, you will learn how to texture stone using different types of chisels. Then you may choose to copy an architectural detail from Bryn Athyn Cathedral or make an original piece.

Jens Langlotz is a master sculptor and carver with over twenty years of experience in his craft. He has worked with and mastered the major design building styles from Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance to American Colonial and American Victorian stone carving. He has apprenticed under master sculptor Hans Kupe, one of Germany’s leading stone restorers, and under Al Walters, master craftsman in stone, metal, and wood. He serves as head carver for both Bryn Athyn Cathedral and Glencairn Museum, and he has also done work for many other buildings including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Villanova University, Princeton University, Reading Terminal, and Philadelphia City Hall.
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Costs

WEEKEND SAMPLER: $425

INTENSIVE WORKSHOP: $525

HOUSING - Housing is available on the Bryn Athyn College campus. The apartment-style living spaces are air-conditioned with shared baths and basically equipped kitchens. Linens, towels, and cookware are not provided.
Single room: $83 per night
Shared room: $50 per night

Bryn Athyn Sacred Arts

Sacred Arts Courses

Costs

Registration