Two Christmas Tours
at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC
Two Special Advent Tours | December 6 & 13, 2026 | 2:00 PM
Discover the Beauty and Mystery of Christmas Through Sacred Art
Join the Catholic Art Institute for two special Advent tours at the National Gallery of Art, exploring masterpieces of Renaissance and Northern European art that illuminate the mystery of the Incarnation.
These tours are fundraisers in support of the Catholic Art Institute's mission to evangelize culture through beauty, restore excellence in the sacred arts, and empower artists to use their gifts for the greater glory of God.
Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 2:00 PM
CHRISTMAS IN BRUGES
The Incarnation and Northern Perspective
Led by William Newton
Beginning in the 1400s, Bruges became one of the most important cities in Europe. Dukes, kings, and emperors fought over it. Manufacturers and shippers sent its products far and wide, while merchants and bankers brought in luxury goods and helped establish one of Europe's earliest financial exchanges. Artists flocked to this prosperous Flemish city in search of patrons, making it one of the great artistic centers of the Early Renaissance. Yet within a century, the Bruges boom had faded, as art and commerce shifted to other parts of the Low Countries.
For the Dec. 6th Catholic Art Institute Advent Tour of the National Gallery of Art, we'll explore the remarkable flowering of sacred art in Bruges during the height of the city's prosperity. Across five generations, artists including Jan van Eyck, Petrus Christus, Hans Memling, Gerard David, and Adriaen Isenbrant embraced artistic innovations, adapted them to Flemish traditions and techniques, and attracted patrons throughout Europe.
We'll consider how the rise and decline of Bruges shaped its artistic legacy, and how Devotio Moderna, the influential Catholic spiritual movement exemplified by Thomas à Kempis' The Imitation of Christ, informed the devotional lives of artists and patrons alike.
Whether you're joining us for the first time or returning for another Advent tour, you'll encounter both celebrated masterpieces and lesser-known treasures that are easily overlooked. By exploring these works within their artistic, historical, and spiritual contexts, we'll discover new layers of meaning and gain a deeper appreciation of the beauty and richness of our Catholic artistic heritage.
We hope this experience will offer inspiration and meaningful opportunities for reflection as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Tickets: $30 CAI Members | $35 Non-Members
Sunday, December 13, 2026 | 2:00 PM
THE HIDDEN LANGUAGE OF CHRISTMAS
Decoding the Symbols of the Incarnation
Led by Kathleen Carr and Yeinier Gonzalez
For centuries, artists have sought to convey the profound mystery of the Incarnation through images of Christ's birth. During the Renaissance, sacred paintings became rich with layers of symbolism drawn from Scripture, theology, and centuries of Christian tradition. What may appear to modern viewers as ordinary details—a flower, an animal, decorate floor tiles, or a shaft of light—often carried profound spiritual meaning, revealing truths about Christ's divine nature, His humanity, and the purpose of His coming into the world.
For the December 13 Catholic Art Institute Advent Tour of the National Gallery of Art, we'll explore the hidden language of Christmas through selected masterpieces of the Renaissance, with particular attention to the extraordinary symbolism in works from the collection. We'll discover how artists employed architecture, gestures, animals, light, and seemingly incidental objects to communicate the mysteries of the Incarnation, often foreshadowing Christ's Passion, the Eucharist, and our redemption.
These paintings were created in an age when sacred art served not only to illustrate biblical events but also to instruct the faithful, encourage prayer, and inspire contemplation. Artists carefully composed their works to communicate theological truths through a visual language familiar to their original audiences not so for viewers today. Understanding this language allows us to appreciate these masterpieces not simply as extraordinary works of art, but as profound expressions of Catholic faith.
Whether you're discovering these works for the first time or returning to see them anew, this tour offers an opportunity to deepen your appreciation of the Church's artistic and spiritual heritage. We hope it will enrich your experience of Advent and invite a renewed sense of wonder as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Tickets: $30 CAI Members | $35 Non-Members
REGISTER FOR THE DECEMBER 13 TOUR
Curator and Docent
William Newton is a critic, commentator, and public speaker with a variety of interests in the art world. He is a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, the University of Notre Dame Law School, and Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. He lives in Washington, D.C.
He has served as an art critic for the American edition of The Spectator magazine, as well as for the online magazine The Federalist, and his work has appeared in Aleteia, The Catholic Herald (UK), and Patheos, among other publications. As a public speaker, he has addressed academic, professional, and religious institutions around the U.S.,and appeared on numerous podcasts. He is currently finishing his first book, which deals with artistic and cultural observations drawn from his travels in Spain.
Curator and Docents
Kathleen Carr is the President and Founder of the Catholic Art Institute. She a classically trained painter, multimedia designer and graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. In academia, Ms. Carr served as Deputy Chair and Professor of Design and Illustration at the Corcoran College of Art.
Her paintings have been recognized by the National Portrait Gallery UK, The National Portrait Society, and The Art Renewal Center, The Salmagundi Club, RGD, Gallery, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, and the Butler Museum of American Art, among others.
Ms. Carr has designed for the National Geographic Society, the Washington Post, HZDG Design Group serving a variety of clients including: American Express, General Mills, The Marriott Corporation, Mastercard, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Rolex, The Washington Capitals, and more.
Her design work has been featured in Communication Arts, Apple.com, Quicktime & Dynamic Graphics.
Portfolio: Carrfineart.com
Yeinier Gonzalez is a Cuban-born Catholic artist and founder of Fabri Studio, specializing in ecclesiastical art, restoration, and design. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Memphis College of Art and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago. Yeinier is a recipient of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Arts Award, and his work has been recognized in the Catholic Art Institute’s Sacred Art Prize.
Following his graduate studies, he worked with Daprato Rigali Studios in Chicago, gaining extensive experience in statuary restoration, mural painting, and liturgical ornamentation. His work draws upon a deep understanding of biblical and liturgical symbolism and the artistic traditions of the Catholic Church. He is an oblate of Clear Creek Abbey, where he spent two years immersed in the rich liturgical life of the monastery, understanding the pivotal role the prayer of the Church has had on Western art and culture.
Where to Meet
We will meet at the fountain in the West Building rotunda prior to the tour which will begin at 2:00pm.
After the tour the group will retire to the museum cafe for refreshments, fellowship and good cheer!
(refreshments are not included).
Tickets are $28 with a suggested donation at the time of purchase.
All proceeds go to the Catholic Art Institute so please be generous.
Location
National Gallery of Art, West Building
6th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20565
Please note, this is a popular event and tickets are likely to sell out, if they do, a wait list
will be enabled and we'll contact you if tickets become available.
Sponsorships
Promote Your Business. Reach Our Audience. Support the Sacred Arts.
Starting at only $125!
The Catholic Art Institute invites businesses, organizations, and individuals to advertise in our 2026 Christmas Tour Program, distributed at both of our annual Christmas Tours at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C..
Your sponsorship includes more than a print advertisement!
In addition to placement in our full-color program for both tours, sponsors receive recognition and promotion through the Catholic Art Institute's website, email newsletter, and social media channels, reaching our combined audience of more than 40,000 followers and subscribers.
Our audience includes clergy, artists, architects, artisans, patrons of the arts, and individuals who share a passion for sacred art, beauty, and Catholic culture.Sponsorship promotion will continue for several weeks before and after the tours, including recognition alongside our post-event photo galleries, extending your visibility beyond the events themselves.
Your sponsorship also supports the Catholic Art Institute's mission to restore excellence in the sacred arts, evangelize through beauty, and empower artists to use their gifts for the greater glory of God.
Support The Catholic Art Institute
These Christmas Tours are more than an opportunity to experience the beauty of sacred art—they are also important fundraising events supporting the mission of the Catholic Art Institute. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to continue our work of renewing Catholic culture through beauty, restoring excellence in the sacred arts, and creating opportunities for artists to develop and offer their gifts in service to God and the Church.
All proceeds from these tours directly support our mission, helping us advance the sacred arts, inspire a deeper appreciation of the Church's rich artistic heritage, and bring the transformative power of beauty to a wider audience. Your participation helps make this important work possible, and we are deeply grateful for your support.
If you're like to support the mission of the Catholic Art Institute, please prayerfully consider making a tax deductible donation by clicking the button below:
https://funraise.org/give/Catholic-Art-Institute-Inc./38b109e4-1bc2-49c7-a225-100a95b5094f/