David Clayton Interviewed by Tammy Peterson

On Christianity, Christian Art and Culture and Saving the West with Beauty

Here is my interview with Tammy Peterson. Tammy is an excellent interviewer on matters of faith and culture from a Catholic perspective despite being a relatively new Christian convert who as only received into the Church this past Easter.

Her approach displays a genuine curiosity and a sincere desire to learn from the interviewee. This made for what was, from my perspective, a very enjoyable and wide-ranging conversation in which I felt I was given a sufficient opportunity to communicate what I thought was important. I have given you Tammy's show notes below.

https://youtu.be/OYCm7BeurRU?si=Hgjqh5tQO6Chnjrp

Show notes:
David Clayton, a prominent UK-born artist, writer, and educator currently based in the US, is globally acknowledged for his artistic work and spiritual teachings. As Provost of Pontifex University, Clayton has a renowned Master of Sacred Arts program and serves as Artist-in-Residence at the Princeton-based Scala Foundation. Regularly contributing to respected publications and blogs like scalafoundation.org and newliturgicalmovement.org, he is also the creator of The Way of Beauty process, offering personal formation to people of varied backgrounds. Clayton's acclaimed works include The Little Oratory, The Way of Beauty, The Vision for You, and Veiling to Reveal, while his commissioned pieces beautify churches in the UK and US. His illustrious career further includes a seven-year tenure as Artist-in-Residence at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts.

Find more from David:

The Vision for You, How To Discover the Life You Were Made For: https://www.amazon.com/Vision-You-Dis...

Veiling to Reveal: John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and the Role of Clothing in Christian Art and Anthropology: https://a.co/d/9At9yRy

The Way of Beauty: Liturgy, Education, and Inspiration for Family, School, and College: https://a.co/d/bo56rYB

The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home: https://a.co/d/1Ihdgfi

Information on The Way of Beauty workshops and personal coaching: https://thewayofbeauty.org/formation Blog: https://thewayofbeauty.org/blog

Contact: https://thewayofbeauty.org/contact

To connect with Tammy Peterson: Instagram:   / tammy.m.peterson   Facebook:   / tammypetersonpodcast   TikTok:   / tammypetersonpodcast   Twitter:   / tammy1peterson   Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/TammyPetersonPod...

Geoff Yovanovic, Alumnus of the Way of Beauty Program and Rising Star in Classical Architecture Named First Partner at Prestigious Firm in Atlanta, Georgia

In a significant move that signals both recognition of talent and a new chapter for a renowned architectural firm, Geoffrey Yovanovic, AIA, has been named the first partner at Norman Davenport Askins Architects. The firm will shortly be amended to reflect the name of its first partner (and may have done so by the time you read this). I am particularly pleased to see his progress as it bears witness to my assertion that beauty has a premium on the open market and is an investment of time and effort that pays rich dividends. 

A graduate of the University of Miami with a Bachelor's degree in architecture and the University of Notre Dame, where he earned his Master's degree, I met Geoff nearly 15 years ago at a Way of Beauty summer program I offered at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts shortly after he graduated from the University of Miami. We've stayed in touch ever since, and it's been a pleasure to watch him flourish and establish himself in the field while always wishing to follow via pulchritudinis - the Way of Beauty - in his professional work. I was delighted when Geoff told me, for example, that he had submitted a church design with a cloister for his successful application to Notre Dame's School of Architecture.

Yovanovic's expertise extends beyond his professional practice. When I was looking for a teacher who could create a course on the principles of Christian architecture for Pontifex University’s Master of Sacred Arts program, Geoff was the first name that occurred to me, and we are delighted to have him on our faculty. He created a course on the principle of beauty in architecture, sharing his knowledge and passion with the next generation of designers. He is also actively involved in the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, for whom he also teaches.

Geoff told me: I had begun to follow David's blog thewayofbeauty.org shortly after graduation.  A passing reference to beauty's importance in architecture school spurred more interest in the Way of Beauty blog.  Architectural fundamentals such as proportioning, order, historic precedence had been introduced to me in school but these were all atomized at the university.  The Way of Beauty course helped unite these scattered seemingly disunited design principles, prioritize them, and direct them towards their proper end.  The two week naturalistic drawing course was enriched through the practice and explanation of the Liturgy of the Hours along with David's engaging lectures. This early foundation in beauty has proven a blessing for me.  Without this foundation, the busyness and business or architecture could cloud the objective of art and architecture which is always ordered to our ultimate end.  Teaching for Pontifex has provided me the great opportunity to share these lessons and lay that all important foundation for my students."

When I was looking for a teacher who could create a course on the principles of Christian architecture for Pontifex University’s Master of Sacred Arts program, Geoff was the first name that occurred to me. We are delighted to have him on our faculty.

Since joining Norman Davenport Askins Architects in 2015, Yovanovic has contributed to the growing reputation of an already highly respected firm. The firm is known for its meticulous attention to historical detail and collaboration with skilled craftsmen. It has won numerous design awards, and Yovanovic's work has played a significant role in these accolades.

Principles of harmonious proportion inform Geoff’s designs. A recently completed home showcases this approach, with carefully staggered window sizes and frame proportions creating a naturally pleasing aesthetic. This attention to classical principles, combined with an understanding of modern living requirements, has become a hallmark of Yovanovic's work. This adaptation of traditional design principles to contemporary living is necessary for a living tradition that participates in the universal principles of beauty but in a way that connects with people today. In order to be able to do this, the architect must have an understanding of the tradition and how these principles are manifested in all buildings from the most magnificent cathedrals and grand civic buildings to humble (and some not so humble) beautiful homes. The designs should not be identical in each case, but the embedded principle of cosmic beauty appropriately expressed in each case, will direct the souls of all to the Creator of the cosmos, who is God.

It is important, if we want a culture of beauty that today’s architects understand, as Geoff does in common with architects of the past, that all human activity can be ordered, through the beauty of the environment, to our heavenly end.

It is heartening to see a firm like Norman Davenport Askins Architects with Geoff Yovanovic as its newest partner, perpetuating timeless, beautifully crafted homes that honor the past while embracing the future.

Conference and Premiere of Mass in Honor of Blessed Karl of Austria, Washington DC, October 18-20, 2024

Thank you to composer Paul Jernberg of the Magnificat Institute, an old friend of ours at the Scala Foundation, for bringing this to my attention. Paul's newly composed Mass will be premiered this weekend, with the composer conducting the choir. 

Blessed Karl of Austria was the last Emporer of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, ascending to the throne in 1916. He died in 1922. His cause for canonization was opened in 1949.

For further information about the event, contact Suzanne Pearson at sdpearson@verizon.netHere is the poster: