Delve deeply into the 2022 Mandorla Art Award theme with a one day and one night retreat at New Norcia, Australia’s only monastic town.

Theme: Metamorphosis - a profound or radical change. Reference: “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19)

FULLY CATERED, WITH ACCOMMODATION IN THE OLD CONVENT AT NEW NORCIA: Arrival 10am Sat 6 Nov, morning/afternoon tea, lunch and dinner, accommodation, Sun 7 Nov breakfast and morning tea.

$120 per person + $40 donation to Mandorla Art Award: $160 per person

ITINERARY

Arrival 10am Saturday 6 November: Morning tea

11am - 12pm: Metamorphosis as Metanoia Sylvia Grevel

A contemplative session on Metanoia: the process of changing our most inward being in the way of spiritual traditions.

Sylvia Grevel is a writer and lecturer on contemporary spirituality, art and spiritual care. She researches Innovation of Spiritual Care at Radboud University Medical Centre in Nijmegen and doing a PhD at the Free University in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She currently is also a Chaplain at Hollywood Private Hospital in Nedlands.

12pm - 1pm: Lunch

1pm - 2pm: Earth Mandala…a contemplative ritual Mary Casotti

Creating a mandala is a chance to ‘Be Still’ and connect with the beauty of the earth. We will make an amulet, allowing us to step into a realm of self-inquiry, engaging our hearts and hands, so the still voice within has the opportunity to speak.

Mary Casotti is an Educator of Visual Art and Religious Education (B.ED) working with Adolescents and Adults both in Catholic Education and at Notre Dame University. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy, running workshops around grief and self development.

2pm - 2.30pm: Afternoon tea

2.30pm - 3.30pm:The Mandorla Collection Angela McCarthy and Sylvia Grevel

Be inspired by previous winners of the Mandorla Art Award and New Norcia’s extensive art collection. Join Mandorla Art Award Chairperson Angela McCarthy and Sylvia Grevel to tour of the New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery, drawing on her extensive knowledge of Mandorla artworks.

Angela McCarthy is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Notre Dame Australia. Following a long teaching career she is now dedicated to her research students in art and theology, and numerous writing projects.

6pm: Dinner 6.30pm: Optional, Vespers in the Monastery Oratory.

Sunday 7 November 7am: Breakfast.

8am - 9am: Meditative ruminations Rev John Ward

Take quiet time to think, write, draw or paint in the peaceful environment of New Norcia, and reflect on the Theme Retreat sessions. This is your opportunity to develop ideas and lay the groundwork for your entry in the 2022 Mandorla Art Award, then join the group for an open discussion about how your interpretation of the 2022 Mandorla Art Award Theme has altered or been refined during the Retreat.

John Ward is a priest and artist working from St Barnabus Anglican Church in Kalamunda.

9am: Optional, Mass in the Abbey Church.

10am - 10.30am: Morning tea/depart

Should participants wish to explore the site further, New Norcia has a two hour walking town tour twice daily at 11am and 1.30pm, departing from the Information/Visitors Centre.