A weekend of music, poetry, meditation and stunning icons by internationally-renowned artist Michael Galovic at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, on 14-15 June 2025
Come immerse yourself in visions of eternity at ICON, a weekend of spiritual art, music, poetry and meditation 14-15 June in the resonant space of Christ Church Cathedral, 52 Church St, Newcastle.
· Stunning icons by Serbian-Australian icon painter Michael Galovic will rim the sanctuary in divine gold, inviting us to go deeply into themes of holiness and transformation via a Christian artistic tradition stretching back 15 centuries. (Sat-Sun)
· Ethereal clouds of choral harmony from the Cathedral Choir and deep looping double bass by Rosemary Ponnekanti will echo the icons’ mystical beauty in music (Sat)
· Ekphrastic poetry will explore images in words, with local poets invited to spend time with the icons on Saturday, create a poem and read it in community on Sunday
· Guided meditation, worship services, a meet-the-artist talk, reception and book launch round out this weekend of shining visions
All are invited. Icons and art books available for purchase.
SCHEDULE:
Sat-Sun: 11am – 5pm Icons on view (free except during concerts)
Saturday:
2pm: Looping bass music by Rosemary Ponnekanti ($15/$10) BUY TICKETS
3pm: Guided meditation with Emma Harris (free)
7pm: “Visions of Eternity” concert by Christ Church Cathedral Choir, with David Drury (organ) and David Banney, conductor. Timeless choral classics like Allegri ‘Miserere’, Handel ‘Hallelujah’, Fauré ‘In Paradisum’ and more. ($25/$15) BUY TICKETS
Sunday:
8am: Eucharist worship service
10am: Choral Eucharist worship service
11:30am: Reception with artist and iconographer Michael Galovic (free)
12pm: Michael Galovic artist talk on icons and religious art, with Newcastle launch of new art book ‘Sailing Back to Byzantium’ (talk free, books available for purchase)
3pm: Ekphrastic poetry open-mic (free)
Event info & tickets: christchurchcathedralhope.au/icon
Rosemary Ponnekanti 