Art and the Artist: Artistry in a Semi-Disenchanted World

Academic year 2025/2026

Overview  

Art is recognized as vital to a free and democratic society. This course explores this relationship through the dynamic interplay between artistic practice and diverse expressions of spirituality. In our supportive learning community, we investigate both the act of making art and artworks themselves, primarily drawing on Eastern Orthodox Christian narratives, lives of saints, and practices, while also engaging with spiritual expressions from other religions and philosophies.

This intensive, interactive course aims to introduce participants to new ways of thinking about themselves and their art. Through a combination of individual development and collective exploration, participants deepen their artistic practice within a holistic learning environment that nurtures existential reflection. The course creates space for personal growth and community dialogue, encouraging participants to challenge themselves while discovering new dimensions of spirituality in their artistry.

To participate, students must already practice an artistic medium (such as fine arts, music, film, craft, or similar) and have access to the necessary tools for that medium.

The course begins with consultations in the first weeks, during which the Art Project will be established. It then introduces spirituality in four modules from a variety of perspectives. Over the following 30 weeks, the students will work individually to finalize their artwork. The education emphasizes supporting the student in situating and reflecting on the dynamics between spirituality and artistry, orally and in writing, with the aim of strengthening individual artistic expression. The course ends with a public event such as a concert or exhibition.

Modules 

Learning Approach

At Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola, the overarching principle that guides learning is that all knowledge is intersubjective.

Knowledge is dialogue, which requires humility and empathy.

This course is built on collaborative and dialogical learning where participants actively shape not only their common learning journey but also the course itself. The content, materials, and methods will be adapted in real time based on participants’ needs, interests, and input. Beyond mastering subject matter, a central goal is for each participant to become aware of how shared learning experiences and dialogue transforms their thinking, practice and identity. Through dialogue, narrative, group discussions, shared reflection, creative expression, and collective exploration, participants develop awareness of their own growth while supporting others’ development. The learning community becomes a space where everyone’s experiences and questions not only enrich understanding but actively guide the direction of the course, helping each person to integrate learning into their own life context in meaningful, personally transformative ways.

Learning outcomes 

Upon completion of the course, the participants are (individually and collectively)  expected  to be able to:

• create and complete an artwork that shows their personal artistic journey, sharing ideas and inspiration with other participants to explore connections between art and spirituality;
• share their creative process through personal reflection and group conversations, discovering how their work connects to different spiritual expressions;
• describe their artistic growth both in discussions and in writing, adding their voice to the school’s ongoing conversation about art, spirituality, and personal development;
• explore different views on spirituality and art while developing their own unique artistic voice through group feedback and discussion;
• link their artwork to wider social and life questions through presentations and everyday conversations with other participants;
• help create shared artistic environments where everyone can express their views and learn from each other about art and spirituality;
• document and reflect on their creative journey, showing how group discussions and feedback have influenced their artistic choices and how their understanding of art and spirituality has been transformed through the group learning experience; and
• identifying specific moments when collaborative dialogue revealed connections they might not have discovered through individual creation alone.

Other requirements 

Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to participate in all course activities, both by being present and playing an active role in scheduled sessions and by completing assignments outside of scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may be required to complete extra assignments to fulfill the learning outcome requirements of the course. For the course to be considered complete, 80% attendance and participation are required. 

Special requirements

To take this course, the course member must have proven skill in an artistic medium and have everything needed to produce the artwork.

Application

To apply to this course, you must follow the instructions on the website as with the other courses. In addition to this, you also must submit:  

• A Project Description containing:

1. Name and contact information
2. Project name
3. Background
4. An art project idea you want to pursue and how this project or your artistry connects to spirituality
5. An idea for a final artwork

• A letter of motivation
• Documentation of your previous work is to be sent in by email.  
• Documented experience of an education in art.

Submit the above documents to:

Daniel Öhrvall
daniel.ohrvall@sanktignatios.org

Questions

Daniel Öhrvall
daniel.ohrvall@sanktignatios.org
+460760436389

Admission

Admission to the course will be based on four criteria:

1. The general requirements of the course
2. Assessment of the art project based on whether or not this specific course is the right format and context for the suggested project.
3. Assess the artistic background of the applicant to ensure the artistic autonomy required to finalize the course.
4. Assess the art project idea itself.