Exploring Ancient Pantheons Through Art & Imagination
Aegean Muse
SPRING 2026: MAY 18 - 23
AUTUMN 2026: OCTOBER 5 - 10
“Mythology is the homeland of the muses—the inspirers of art” — Joseph Campbell
The ancient Aegean is abundant with art made by cultures that revered the divine feminine. From Crete to Çatalhöyük, these societies understood the power of art to perpetuate values of wellbeing, most especially through goddess imagery. Hundreds of thousands of years have not obscured the energy of these images. They continue to touch resonant qualities in ourselves.
In Aegean Muse, we explore the divine feminine and cultivate it in our art, psyches, and cohort. Each class is uniquely curated with stories and exercises to reflect the group’s interests. We begin by feeding our imaginations with images and myths of goddess and gods, old and new. Through slides, lectures, and inquiry we discover that our affinity for this material connects us to an ancient and widespread lineage. This process continues as we build relationships with supportive and meaningful divine feminine qualities in ourselves through psychological techniques. Our simple art practices offer playful creative outlets to concretize our revelations. The meaning behind myths goes from theoretical to embodied as students learn on site in Parikia, Paros where goddess figurines were plentiful 3,000 years ago. As the Aegean Sea and rolling hills become animate in our awareness, we appreciate our belonging to them and their role in sustaining our enjoyable lives. Each day, we end with a story. With the shutters closed, we sit in a dreamy twilight and allow our minds to open to the numinous as countless generations have done before. From meditation to altar creation, masks to mono prints, students gain tools which allow them to build confidence, support their connection to the divine feminine, and participate in the evolution of this ancient tradition.
Program Details
Class is held from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a lunch hour. Students should bring a journal and preferred writing, drawing, or painting supplies. These supplies can be easily purchased at the art shop near the Aegean Center. Outings on the island will be scheduled as weather permits and students are encouraged to bring clothing for swimming and light hiking.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the program. We can offer recommendations for lodging and dining upon request. Sessions are held in the Aegean Center’s beautiful Neo-classical school building, conveniently located for arrival to Parikia, Paros via ferry.
Note: While creating art is key to this course, the goal is to inspire artistic expression rather than teach art techniques. Students who wish to learn specific art techniques can take traditional art courses at the Aegean Center. Discounts are available for those enrolling in multiple workshops.
PROGRAM Cost
The Spring and Autumn 6-day program is €1200. If you are also attending one or both of the Center’s Drawing and Painting courses and wish to participate in the Aegean Muse workshop, the cost is €1,000.
Your Teacher
Keziah Baltz is an alumna of the Aegean Center for Fine Arts’ Italy Semester and Residency programs. She is thrilled to collaborate with this institution with its 60 year tradition of quality intensive education free from the limitations of more generic programs. This tradition of specialized teaching and immersion in the culture of Paros fosters self-discovery, which is the aspect of Aegean Muse that most excites Keziah. She draws on her education (Comparative Religions & Humanities from the University of Redlands), artistic training, and personal practices to facilitate classes that balance high-quality information, creativity, and embodied comprehension of the topics she teaches. Her prior teaching collaborators have included Dr. Fran Grace, Cathy Black, M.A., and Dr. Jaffa V. Frank. For more information, please visit her website.
Testimonials
“This class was a paradigm shifter. I hadn’t had much education about Goddesses and had also let my art practices go. But in the class, parts of me were awakened that had gone dormant or that I didn’t even realize existed. Keziah led the class with kindness, compassion, and joyful enthusiasm with a clear environment of inclusiveness. I had permission to explore both my psyche and creative process in new, powerful ways. I am so grateful to Keziah for this opportunity!” — Bryce Downey MA, LMHC
This experience was incredibly informative and my appreciation for Neolithic art has grown even deeper. Keziah is an exceptional teacher who embodies the qualities every educator should possess— empathy, patience, and clear communication. Her openness and understanding create a classroom atmosphere where you feel encouraged and supported, even when venturing into new mediums or unfamiliar topics. She has a unique ability to articulate complex ideas in a way that's easy to grasp, making learning approachable for everyone. The artistic exercises encouraged us to express our ideas in unique ways and explore the material more deeply. I also appreciated the sharing sessions as they provided a wonderful opportunity to hear our diverse perspectives and insights. It fostered a sense of community and collaboration.— Remee Cunningham, MA
“Keziah’s class provided a wonderful dive into Goddess history and storytelling. It was made personal through her skillful guidance into art activity and writing reflections. I thoroughly enjoyed Keziah's ease with the material and the ways in which she brings her own meaning to the arduous emergence of the feminine energies on the world stage. Highly recommended!” — Jill Griffin, PhD