Art that Unites: KSADA Lecturer Leads a Summer School at the Estonian Academy of Arts

As part of the Erasmus+ programme, conservator and icon painting researcher Nataliia ANTONENKOVA, PhD in Art History, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Restoration and Expertise of Works of Art at the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, conducted an intensive course entitled “Icon Painting Workshop: Traditional Techniques and Materials” at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA).

The collaboration was made possible through the initiative and dedicated efforts of Yuliia KORNEIKO, Assistant to the Rector of KSADA for International Educational Projects, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, and Associate Professor at the Department of Intercultural Communication in Creative Industries at KSADA.

The course took place on August 10–15, 2026 as part of the EKA Open Academy summer programme. Participants explored the history and symbolic language of icon art, as well as traditional materials and techniques, whilst going through the main stages of icon creation — from preparing the wooden panel to applying colour and gold leaf.

The workshop received highly positive feedback from the EKA leadership and participants. The professional skills and teaching expertise of Nataliia ANTONENKOVA served as a powerful testament to the strength of the Ukrainian school of art and restoration.

We express our sincere gratitude to EKA Rector Hilkka HIIOP, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Anne PIKKOV, Head of the International Office Sandra MELL, Elise YAGOMÄGI, the project coordinators, the EKA Open Academy team, and all participants for their warm welcome, their trust in our lecturer, and their appreciation of her work.

We are proud of Nataliia ANTONENKOVA and delighted to see Ukrainian knowledge, traditions, and professional expertise receiving such a warm reception and genuine recognition within the European academic community!