The Holy Image Makers

Today’s Moscow Icons Workshop occupies a cold cellar in a high panel house in the industrial town of Zelenograd near Moscow. The painters have no money to pay the rent and there is a threat that they will lose their premises altogether.

Though this is a situation not unknown to the vast majority of creative people in Russia, the irony is that this workshop is considered one of the best in Russia. During the 5 years of its existence, it has taken part in 30 exhibitions, including in Switzerland, Greece, South Africa and elsewhere.

Workshop leader Igor Drozhdin explained: “There is a great demand for icons now. But we make icons for small provincial churches free of charge.”