by Josh Cole, Manager of Marketing and Communications, Hellenic College Holy Cross
Mary Jaharis Center Teaches Byzantine Art
Photo by Nikos Tzetzis
Click to view photos.
Brookline, MA. In conjunction with the Hellenic College Holy Cross 75th Anniversary Jubilee, on September 15 the Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture sponsored an afternoon of Byzantine-themed children’s crafts and provided family entertainment.
As part of its 75th Jubilee celebrations, Hellenic College Holy Cross hosted a campus festival and open house. The Mary Jaharis Center, which is dedicated to the promotion and advancement of knowledge about the rich heritage of Byzantine art and culture, participated in the event with family-themed programming.
An able group of Hellenic College Holy Cross students helped Brandie Ratliff, the new director of the Mary Jaharis Center, run the crafts table, which had as its aim children’s interaction with the art of the Byzantine world. Children made paper mosaics using designs derived from Byzantine mosaics, created crowns inspired by the imperial portraits in the Hagia Sophia, and crafted bracelets and shields based on repoussé, a metalworking technique in which designs are raised by working metal from the reverse.
All in attendance were delighted when His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios visited the crafts table to watch the young artists in action. His Eminence joined right in, helping some children with their crowns.
The children weren’t the only artists on campus. The ZeeBree face painters transformed kids into butterflies, puppies, monsters, and other whimsical creations. Their skill and imagination was matched by the twisters of Balloon Moose. Using balloons, they created penguins, octopuses, and even a snowmobile. While waiting in line, children enjoyed free cotton candy provided by the Mary Jaharis Center.