Cathedral of St.
John the Divine
Public Education
Department
Upcoming
Programs
Fall 2006
HIGHLIGHT TOURS
Tuesday
- Saturday, 11 AM - noon; Sunday, 1 - 2 PM.
Explore the
Cathedral's newly cleaned and restored East End to learn about the art,
architecture and history of this great sacred space from 1892 to the present.
No prior reservation necessary. Register at the Visitor
Center inside the Cathedral. $5 per person, $4 per student/senior. For further information call the Public
Education & Visitor Services Department at (212) 932-7347.
VERTICAL TOURS
Saturdays, 12
Noon & 2 p.m
*Please call in advance, as tours may be
suspended
due to Cathedral cleaning and
restoration.
Climb 124 feet
through spiral staircases to the top of the Cathedral.
Get a close look
at the magnificent stained glass windows and study
the grand architecture while standing on a
buttress. The tour
culminates on the roof with a wonderful view of the
Morningside
Heights
area of Manhattan.
Space limited to 10 people, and
reservations are recommended. Bring a flashlight.
Register at the
Visitors
Center inside the Cathedral.
$15 per person; $10 per
student/senior. For reservations and further
information call the
Public
Education & Visitors Services Department at 212 932-7347.
SPOTLIGHT TOURS
Register
at the Visitor Center inside the Cathedral. For further information call the Public
Education & Visitor Services Department at (212) 932-7347.
Spotlight Tours
are $10 per person, $8 for students and seniors.
Mind,
Body, Spirit: The Rise of Morningside Heights
Saturday, September 16, 12:45 PM
This special tour focuses on the Cathedral’s role as a major
institution that helped define Morningside Heights. Learn about the development
of the neighborhood and the Cathedral’s connection to its institutional
neighbors, Columbia University and St. Luke's Hospital. Then step outside for a
walk through the Cathedral Close featuring the earliest extant building on
Morningside Heights. Led by Cathedral Guide John Simko.
Saints and Signs: Spotlight on Symbols
Saturday,
September 23, 12:45 PM
Explore the
signs and symbols in the Cathedral and discover the unique attributes that
characterize saints, martyrs, and angels. See these ancient symbols in
paintings, glass and stone and learn how the legends have inspired artists
through the centuries. Led by Cathedral Guide Becca Earley.
“With Angels and Archangels”:
Spotlight on Celestial Beings
Saturday,
September 30, 12:45 PM
Celebrate the
Feast of St Michael & All Angels by discovering images of angels in the
Cathedral's stained glass and statuary and learning the names and field marks
of the seven archangels. Led by Senior Cathedral Guide Thomas Fedorek. Bring
Binoculars.
Diversity
United: Spotlight on the Chapels of Tongues
Saturday, October 7, 12:45 PM
The “Chapels of the Tongues” honor the diverse immigrant groups
most represented in New York City at the turn of the twentieth century. Although they are built in Norman, Gothic,
and Renaissance styles and are the product of two building campaigns and four
architectural firms, the seven chapels nevertheless form a beautiful and
harmonious whole. Come explore these unique sacred spaces with Cathedral Guide
John Simko.
Urban Oasis: Spotlight on the Gardens and
Grounds
Saturday, October 14,
12:45 PM
Gardens and cloisters offer
an enclosed place of protection from the life outside. Explore the beauty and
symbolism found in the Cathedral and its gardens while contemplating the unique
ecology of urban environments. Learn about the use, history, and architecture
of the buildings on the Close. Rain or shine. Led by Cathedral Guide Lee Caron
Saints and Signs: Spotlight on Symbols
Saturday,
October 21, 12:45 PM
Explore the
signs and symbols in the Cathedral and discover the unique attributes that
characterize saints, martyrs, and angels. See these ancient symbols in
paintings, glass and stone and learn how the legends have inspired artists
through the centuries. Led by Cathedral Guide Becca Earley.
Crypt Crawl
Poets and Pediments: Spotlight on
Literature
Sunday, October
29, 3:00 PM
Celebrate the
Cathedral’s induction of Emma Lazarus to the Poet’s Corner with this special
tour. Explore how the Cathedral inspires writers and how writers influence
builders in this afternoon walk focusing on stories of stone. Through readings
or poetry and prose, hear how literary passages reflect the space.. Led by Cathedral Guide Susan Chute.
Gateway to the New Jerusalem: Spotlight
on the Iconography of the West Front
Saturday,
November 4, 12:45 PM
The west front
is the architectural equivalent of an overture, an exposition
of the themes developed within the main body of the Cathedral. The
tour introduces the interplay of modern and medieval motifs in the
sculpture of John Angel and Simon Verity. Led by Cathedral Guide, Tom Fedorek
Mind,
Body, Spirit: The Rise of Morningside Heights
Saturday, November 11, 12:45 PM
This special tour focuses on the Cathedral’s role as a major
institution that helped define Morningside Heights. Learn about the development
of the neighborhood and the Cathedral’s connection to its institutional neighbors,
Columbia University and St. Luke's Hospital. Then step outside for a walk
through the Cathedral Close featuring the earliest extant building on
Morningside Heights. Led by Cathedral Guide John Simko.
Sisters and Saints: Spotlight on Women
Observe the
Cathedral from a female perspective.
Explore images and stories of Mary,
Joan
of Arc, St. Clare and St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music. Learn about how women
have contributed to the history of the
Cathedral, including the first female Bishop in the Diocese of New York, The
Rt. Rev. Catherine Roskam. Led by Cathedral Guide
Susan Chute
The Pilgrim’s Journey: Spotlight on
Pilgrimage
Saturday,
December 2, 12:45 PM
Pilgrimages were integral to life in the Middle
Ages. In this tour, we will explore
some
popular pilgrimage sites from that time, as well as some more
contemporary
sites in the United States - including the Cathedral
itself, a
destination for thousands of travelers from around the world each year. Led by Cathedral Guide Lee Caron.
Revelations Revealed: Spotlight on
the Sanctuary
Saturday,
December 9, 12:45 PM
Journey toward
the Heavenly Kingdom and ponder reflections of the wondrous creatures and
fearsome landscapes populating the dreams and visions of St. John the Divine in
his Book of Revelation as rendered in the stained glass, sculpture, tilework, and vaulting of the East End, Great Choir and
High Altar, the culmination of the Cathedral's splendid design. Led by Cathedral Guide
Susan Chute.
Brilliant Walls of Light: Spotlight on
the Chapel Windows
Saturday,
December 16, 12:45 PM
Each
of the chapels contains a unique style of stained glass. Come explore beautiful
narrative and geometric windows by English and American firms and view the
memorial to a stained-glass artist. Led by Cathedral Guide
John Simko.
Breaking the Code: Spotlight on
Architectural Symbolism
Saturday, December
23, 12:45 PM
Breaking the Code unravels the many layers of symbolism embedded in the
Cathedral's architecture. Highlights include the High Altar, Baptistry, western facade, viewed from Amsterdam Avenue,
and apse, viewed from Morningside Park. The tour discusses the Cathedral as a
heavenly city, sacred mountain, and ark, touching on number symbolism and
sacred geometry. Led by Cathedral Guide Tom Fedorek.
ADULT WORKSHOPS
Check in at the
Visitor Center inside the Cathedral. For reservations and further information
call the Public Education & Visitor Services Department at (212) 932-7347
Stonecarving
Workshop
Sat. Sept 30,
12:30 – 5:00 PM
Sat. Oct 21,
12:30 – 5:00 PM
Stonecarver Chris Pellettieri,
trained in the Cathedral Stoneworks Program, leads a
one-day intensive introduction to stone carving. Participants will employ
traditional carving methods and tools on a block of limestone. Space is limited to six participants.
Reservations and advance payment required. $100, materials included.
Progressive Stone Carving Course
Thursdays
,October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
The time-honored craft
of stone carving is at a low point in its 10,000-year history, partly due to a
breakdown in the traditional system whereby experts taught their skills to
novices. Help reverse this alarming trend and join former stone yard
apprentice and Cathedral Artist-in-Residence Chris Pellettieri
as he inaugurates a new, progressive, weekly stone carving class. The
program puts the emphasis on practicing ancient skills while doing
level-appropriate projects rather than attempting to create masterpieces before
the technical skills have been acquired. Beginners and experienced students are
welcome. Space is limited to eight participants. Reservation and
advance payment required. $250 for six-week course, tools and material
(limestone) included.
FAMILY PROGRAMS
Family
Workshop Open House
Saturday,
September 23, 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM
The
Medieval Arts Workshop reopens with an all-day Open House.
Drop
in to experience the Medieval Arts Workshop. Carve a block of limestone, create medieval illuminated
letters, sculpt clay gargoyles, weave on a loom, make stained glass collages,
and more! Talk about architecture and build models of the Cathedral. Make decorative paper from scratch. Short tours of the Cathedral and storytelling
offered on the hour to participants.
FREE!
Medieval Arts Family Workshop
Saturdays,
October 7, 21, November 4, 11, December 9, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Families carve a
block of limestone, create medieval illuminated letters, sculpt clay gargoyles,
weave on a loom, make stained glass collages, and more! Recommended
for ages 4 and up. Register at the Visitor Center
inside the Cathedral. $5 per child, with accompanying
adult.
St.
Francis Day Mask Making Workshop
Saturday, September 30, 10 am – 12:00 Noon
Children
create festive masks to celebrate the Cathedral's Blessing of the Animals. Glue
feathers, cut paper, paint, and let your imagination fly as you create animal
inspired crafts which celebrate the Earth and its creatures. For ages 4 and up!
$5 per child, with adult
Kid’s Cathedral
Thursday,
October 5, 12, 19, & 26, 10:30 – 11:00 AM
A series of
morning programs designed for young ones and their caregivers to explore the
shapes, colors and patterns found at the Cathedral. Using hands-on
activities, arts and crafts and stories, children will observe architecture,
stained glass, and art then create their own pieces to take home. For ages 2-4.
Space is limited and reservations are required. $5 per class.
Autumn
Printmaking
Saturday,
October 14, 10 am -12:00 Noon
Families
experience different forms of printmaking, learning how to create
multiple versions of the same image. Using autumn materials and themes,
participants will create
collages and raised surfaces to transform them into
beautiful textured prints. $5 per child, with adult
Morning of the Gargoyles: A Family
Halloween Workshop
Sat. October 28,
10 AM - 12:00
Noon
The morning
begins with a reading of Eve Bunting's Night
of the Gargoyles, then it's down to the workshop
to assemble gargling, grimacing clay gargoyles, skeleton creatures and paper
gargoyle masks. For ages 4 and up! $5 per child, with
adult.
Traditions and Legends: A Giving of
Thanks to the First Peoples
Sat. November
18, 10 am – 12:00 Noon
See and learn
about the Cathedral’s Medicine Wheels-a symbol of healing-then make one to take
home, along with a fragrant herbal dream pillow and other seasonal crafts. For ages 4 and up! $5 per child, with adult.
Arches Everywhere
Sat. December 2,
10 am – 12:00 Noon
Learn how the
huge Cathedral stands by exploring its amazing architecture. Experience Romanesque and
Gothic arches, flying buttresses, and the tall, stone columns. Then make a model to take home. $5 per child with adult.
1,000 Paper Cranes: A Season of Light
Holiday Workshop
Saturday,
December 16, 10 am – 12:00 Noon
Celebrate the
holidays with this ecumenical workshop. Stroll through the Cathedral to see
festive candles, holiday decorations, and the giant Peace Tree, covered with
1,000 paper cranes. Then head to the workshop to design and produce sparkling
"triptych" cards, candleholders and origami peace cranes to take
home. For ages 4 and up! $5 per child, with
adult.
Camels and Kings: Celebrating the
Epiphany
Sat. January 6,
10 am – 12:00 Noon
Families gather
to explore the story surrounding the famous journey of the three wise men,
celebrated around the world. The
workshop begins with a story and then families make gift boxes and sparkling
crowns, which children can wear to the Three Kings performance at 1:30 in the
Cathedral. For
ages 4 and up! $5
per child with adult.
Medieval Birthday Parties
Saturdays &
Sundays, 1 -3 PM, by availability
Celebrate your
child's birthday in the Medieval Arts Workshop, where children sculpt
gargoyles, weave, make brass rubbings, carve a block of limestone and much
more! For ages 5 & up. Call the Public Education
& Visitor Services Department for more information and reservations.
For more
information on any of these programs, contact:
The Public
Education and Visitor Services Department
Cathedral of
St. John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street
New York, NY
10025
All programs
meet at the Visitor's Center inside the Cathedral unless
otherwise noted. For reservations call the Public Education Department at (212)
932-7347.
Fax: 212 932-7348
russell@stjohndivine.org
http://www.stjohndivine.org