What we do

Activities

Spiritual, educational and promotional activities of the Guild.

Spiritual Activities

The source of making sacred art is the contemplation of Beauty, Goodness and Truth. To this end the Epiphany Sacred Arts Guild offers its members annually 2 day retreats for artists.

Our summer retreat is held at Westminster Abbey in Mission, B.C. where Fr. Abbot and our chaplain or other guest priests lead us in prayer, presentations and discussions about the nature of sacred art and its purpose in our culture. We have lively discourses and enjoy a potluck meal as we rest in the natural beauty of the Abbey grounds.

Artists listening to a talk by Fr. Abbot at a day retreat — Day retreat for artists — talk by Fr. Abbot

ii.

Educational Activities

Education is a key component of the Guild’s mandate. We present to various Archdiocesan and parish groups topics on sacred art to develop an understanding of how sacred images are used to proclaim the truth of Sacred Scripture in the light of the Catholic teaching.

Individual members also offer workshops in various disciplines such as gilding, calligraphy, and iconography.

Participants at a gilding workshop — Gilding workshop

iii.

Promotional Activities

Our ESAG promotional activities include promoting the Guild through the website, social media and cooperation with other organizations to organize the biennial ESAG Exhibition of Sacred Art. The 2018 Exhibition celebrated our 15th Anniversary and was held at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre in Vancouver, BC.

Other activities include arranging occasional showcases at Parishes around the Archdiocese.

A display of icons and sacred art at an ESAG showcase — ESAG showcase display

Monthly meetings

The 2025–2026 Season

We meet on the second Saturday of every month, September to June.

NOTE BENE: We have resumed our in-person monthly meetings and now combine also Zoom meetings on occasion. Watch your emails for monthly notifications.

Meeting times: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Potluck lunch: 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Where: St. Helen’s Church
3860 Triumph St.
Burnaby, B.C.
V5C 2Y8

See events Skytrain / bus information