Real Materials Set This Catholic Gift Shop Apart From Rivals

Founded by the Vasarmidis family in Crete more than four decades ago, Art of the Icon grew out of a simple husband-and-wife painting practice into a studio recognized today for producing some of the most authentic religious art still available anywhere. From the very beginning, the family upheld a strict commitment to quality and tradition that continues to shape every single piece leaving the studio, regardless of size or complexity. That same standard still guides decisions made in the workshop each day, from the choice of wood to the final coat of gold leaf applied by hand.

That same commitment is visible across the studio's catholic icons, made on hardwood with eight coats of Gesso glue, a burlap canvas line drawing, and gilding finished in pure silver and 24k gold leaf, a process that keeps genuine religious tradition alive even as only three factories worldwide continue practicing it today. For many buyers, that rarity is exactly why they choose Art of the Icon over mass-produced alternatives sold elsewhere online. It also explains why so many pieces end up displayed prominently in a home or parish rather than tucked away out of sight, often becoming a focal point of the room.