Museum of Modern Renaissance

Nicholas Shaplyko and Ekaterina Sorokina have transformed the former Masonic lodge into what they call a 'temple of art'. It's a whimsical place with serious ambitions. They call their home/studio the Museum of Modern Renaissance, and while it's not generally open to the public, they hope it will stand as a permanent testament to the old-fashioned values they believe in.
'The first Renaissance brought beauty and humanity back to society, and we think it is time to do it again,' Shaplyko says.
Russian mythological and religious icons line the walls and ceiling. The saturated oil colors used to create the tiger and bull totems, birds, druids, and mermaids achieve a stained-glass effect. Examples of European, Middle Eastern, and Latin American-inspired art are throughout the home in the form of folkloric paintings and hand-painted plates, murals, and wood inlay pieces. Some of the paintings have been exhibited at the Russian Embassy in Washington. President Vladimir Putin has a Nicholas Shaplyko painting as well.