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Learn the art of Polish Easter eggs. Kathryn Laffrey, along with cohost Alix Murray, shares how to make the wonderfully delicate and beautiful decorated Easter eggs called Pisanki. Originally an Easter special episode for Patrons, we’ve now made it available to our whole audience.

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Exploring the intersection of art, history, and faith, Alix Murray, Kathryn Laffrey, and Jeff Haecker discuss the 2009 animated film The Secret of Kells, the historical significance of the Book of Kells; the blend of Christian themes with Irish folklore; the clash between paganism and Christianity; and the film’s use of Celtic imagery

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Portable traveling altars have been used throughout Church and military history. Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray explore the use, development, and art of field altars from the early Church, the American Civil War, both World Wars, and today.

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Come to know the beautiful statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, her tragic history, and the possibility of her silent victory. Alix Murray and Kathryn Laffrey journey across Medieval Catholic England, through the Reformation, and into modern London and beyond.

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Explore the history and symbolism of angels in sacred art with Alix Murray and Kathryn Laffrey as they draw on Catholic doctrine and history to examine angelic depictions across various art forms and periods, emphasizing their roles as messengers and guardians.

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Explore the symbolism and significance of animals in sacred with Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray as they delve into the portrayals of some of their favorite creatures, how they glorify God, act as companions, and symbolize theological truths.

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A Medieval pub in Shrewsbury, UK, is an unusual place to find sacred art. Alix Murray tells Kathryn Laffrey how she discovered this fresco of the Last Supper and why it was there; its symbolism and theology; and finding unexpected sacred art in other places.

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In the first of a series, Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray take a deep dive, exploring the art and images of the Basilica of Ste. Anne in Detroit; its historical and architectural significance; and the symbolic significance of the various design elements.

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How do the art and architecture of churches contribute to Catholic liturgy? Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray discuss the elements of the Catholic church, incuding verticality, permanence, and iconography, highlighting how these features connect the faithful to the divine, as well as the history of church architecture across cultures.

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Augustus Pugin was a 19th-century English Catholic artist and architect. Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray discuss his enduring works in architecture, design, and art and how Catholicism both informed his work, but also affected him in the face of anti-Catholic bias.

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Millions of Communion hosts are made and consumed every year by Catholics. Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray discuss the hidden art found on altar breads from small hosts to the large breads used by priests, plus the history of altar breaking making and decoration.

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What is the Ghent altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, by the Van Eyck brothers? Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray explore its history, intricate details, and symbolism. highlighting its artistic, historical, and spiritual significance.

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The Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystical Lamb, is an incredible piece of sacred art. Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray tell us about the brothers who painted the altarpiece, Hubert and Jan van Eyck, their world, their other works, and religious themes in their art.

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In this crossover of Secrets of Sacred Art and Secrets of Movies and TV Shows, Kathryn Laffrey, Alix Murray, and Thomas Salerno discuss the 2014 film Monuments Men and the true story and real sacred art involved in the daring WWII effort to rescue great works of art.

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Enter the captivating world of Bouguereau’s art. Alix Murray and Kathryn Laffrey explore this 19th-century painter’s works, its fame and fall from grace in the 20th century, and the profound historical, religious, and artistic significance and why it remains so popular among Catholics.

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Catholic ladders were visual representations of the faith used for teaching the catechism. Alix Murray and Kathryn Laffrey discuss their use in the Pacific Northwest missions in the 19th century and the power of visual imagery and symbolism to convey religious truth to varied audiences.

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The story of two paintings by Biagio D’Antonio featuring the story of the Old Testament Joseph is a tale of art torn asunder. Alix Murray and Kathryn Laffrey discuss the artworks themselves, the story of Joseph, and the role of museums in making sacred art available and visible to the public.

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Does color matter? Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray discuss color in sacred art, its impact on mood and environment, color harmonies, and its ability to evoke emotion. They also discuss the deliberate choice of colors in religious iconography to convey deeper spiritual meanings. They also discuss color usage in specific religious paintings, emphasizing the need for thoughtful color choice in religious art to communicate profound messages.