Lasting Keepsakes From a Trusted Catholic Gift Shop Studio

Behind every piece sold by Art of the Icon is a story that began over 40 years ago in Crete, when the Vasarmidis family first committed themselves to protecting the standards of traditional religious art rather than chasing faster, cheaper production methods. That early dedication has carried through decades of steady growth, shaping a studio that customers now associate with dependable quality rather than the printed imitations that have become common across much of the market today. The family has stayed hands-on with the process throughout that entire history, overseeing each stage personally.

The studio's catholic icons reflect this same approach, crafted on hardwood prepared with eight coats of Gesso glue, finished with a burlap canvas line drawing and gilding completed in pure silver and 24k gold leaf. For collectors and churches alike, that attention to detail is part of what makes each finished piece feel meaningful and worth the extra wait. It is also why so many buyers describe their purchase as a long-term investment rather than a passing decoration meant for a single season, something they plan to keep displayed for decades to come, often in a prominent spot at home or within a local church community setting.