Independent living resident Ginnie Bolin writes icons in her Garden Home at St. James Place.
Independent living resident Ginnie Bolin hosts Byzantine icon workshops on campus
When Ginne Bolin first learned how to write Byzantine icons nearly 20 years ago, her initial goal was to create one for each of her children. But when she completed that task, she had discovered a love for the art.
Initially, Ginnie didn’t think she would be interested in artistic hobbies because of her background as Math and Science Supervisor for the EBR School System, but after retirement she started painting alongside her sister-in-law. Once she mastered the skill, her friends—who had attended a workshop at St. James Church—strongly encouraged her to start writing icons. As Ginnie’s talents for iconography grew, she began hosting her own workshops at Burden Museum and Gardens and continues to write icons for her friends and family who will appreciate the art.
When she moved to her Garden Home at St. James Place in March of 2020, Ginnie’s icons garnered a lot of attention from other residents, who convinced her to teach the process on campus. She agreed to host a workshop to teach iconography techniques to a handful of participants, which continues to be an engaging and socially-distant activity that the St. James Place residents love.
Ginnie Bolin and her iconography workshop attendees from St. James Place.
Iconography is one of Christianity’s oldest traditions that portrays religious figures and their narratives. Naturally, Ginnie’s pieces stand out during the holiday season, but writing icons is a year-round activity for Ginnie. It’s much more than a form of painting or a specific technique—it’s a sacred activity that creates a timeless connection among generations of families.
That’s why Ginnie spends more than 50 hours writing a single icon. The careful craft is easier to learn if you have experience painting, but Ginnie reminds all her students: “You need obedience, patience and humility” when practicing the art.
“I enjoy painting and the process of writing icons,” Ginnie said. “It’s helped with staying social while at a distance during these times.”
As a generous personal donation, Ginnie’s art can be seen hung around St. James Place Campus.
Read more about our residents’ hobbies in our previous blog. Or, call us at 225-215-4510 to learn more about St. James Place and schedule a free private tour today.