Summer School : July 2–6, 2026

New Mexico - Pattern Retreat
Summer School : July 2–6, 2026 image

Abiquiu, NM / 2–6, July 2026

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New Mexico Pattern Retreat: July 2–6, 2026

Join us in Abiquiu, New Mexico for a unique retreat exploring sacred and ornamental patterns, Islamic geometry, pigment foraging, and traditional adobe building. Experience hands-on workshops, sunrise hikes, live Sufi music, and creative sessions with renowned artists and instructors in a beautiful, inspiring setting.

Retreat Highlights

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At a glance

Day 1 - Arrival and Orientation in Abiquiu

02-Jul-2026
Day 1 - Arrival and Orientation in Abiquiu image

Arrivals, Orientation, and Introduction to Patterns

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Arrivals with accommodation

342 County Road 155, Abiquiu, NM 87510.
Time3:00 pm onwards

Arrivals with accommodation to be taken to rooms and settle in.

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Arrival without accommodation

Courtyard
Time4:00 pm

Arrivals for participants without accommodation.

Gather for refreshments: Chai and cakes in the Courtyard.

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Orientation and introductions

Courtyard
Time5:00 pm

Orientation and introductions in the Courtyard.

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Introduction to Sacred and Ornamental Pattern

Classroom
Time6:00 – 8:30 pm

Introduction to Sacred and Ornamental Pattern with Adam Williamson in the Classroom.

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Dinner

Canteen
Time8:30 pm

Day 2 - Islamic Geometry, and ceramics and Adobe Building

03-Jul-2026
Day 2 - Islamic Geometry, and ceramics and Adobe Building image

Sunrise Hike, Geometry Workshop, and Adobe Building

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Movement meditation

Time7 – 8 am

Meet in the mosque for movement meditation, including simple stretching, breathing, and meditation with Stephanie Cavazos.

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Breakfast

Canteen
Time8:00 – 9:00 am
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Introduction to Islamic Geometry

Time9:30 am – 1:30 pm (with tea break)

Introduction to Islamic Geometry with Samira Mian in the Classroom.

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Break for Friday prayer

Break for those observing Friday prayer.

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Lunch +plus Adobe talk

Canteen
Time2:00 pm

Lunch and Adobe talk.

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Traditional Adobe Building demonstration/experience

campfire
Time2:30 – 4:00 pm

Move to the campfire for a demonstration and experience making Traditional Adobe bricks with Lisa Anne White, Benyamin van Hattum.

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Snack

Time4:30 pm.

Snack

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Painting ceramic tiles and firing ceramics

courtyard
Time5:00 – 8:00 pm

Meet in the courtyard for painting ceramic tiles with Fabiola De la Cueva and firing ceramics at the campfire.

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Dinner

Canteen
Time8:00 pm
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Live Sufi Music

Courtyard 2
Live Sufi Music with local musicians at 8:30 pm in the Courtyard.

Day 3 - Movement Meditation, Watercolour Preparation, and Arabesque Patterns

04-Jul-2026
Day 3 - Movement Meditation, Watercolour Preparation, and Arabesque Patterns image

Meditation, Watercolour, and Pattern Workshops

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Sunrise hike into the canyon to pigment forage

Meet outside classroom at 6.30am for a sunrise hike into the canyon to pigment forage.

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Breakfast

Canteen
Time8:00 – 9:00 am
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Reveal fired tiles from campfire

campfire
Time9- 10am

Meet by the campfire to reveal fired tiles from the campfire.

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Pigment and watercolour preparation

courtyard
Time10am – 1:00 pm

Pigment and watercolour preparation with Adam Williamson & Christopher Riederer.

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Lunch

Canteen
Time1:00 pm
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Arabesque Patterns

Classroom
Time 2:00 – 5:00

Arabesque Patterns workshop with Adam Williamson.

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Dinner

Canteen
Time6:00 pm
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Geometric Pattern lecture

Classroom
Time7:00 – 9:30pm

Geometric Patterns workshop talk with Jay Bonner.

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Snack: Hot chocolate

Time9:30 pm

Snack: Hot chocolate.

Day 4 - Movement Meditation, Patterns, and Sunset Walk

05-Jul-2026
Day 4 - Movement Meditation, Patterns, and Sunset Walk image

Meditation, Pattern Workshops, and Plaza Blanca Walk

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Movement meditation in nature

Time7:00 – 8:00 am

Depart from the classroom (optional) for movement meditation in nature with Stephanie Cavazos.

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Breakfast

Canteen
Time8:00 – 9:00 am
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Arabesque Patterns

Classroom
Time9:30 am – 1:00 pm

Arabesque Patterns workshop with Christopher Riederer.

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Lunch

Canteen
Time1pm
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Polygonal Technique

Classroom
Time2:00 – 5:00 pm

Polygonal Technique workshop with Jay Bonner.

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Snack

Canteen
Snack in the afternoon.
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Pattern painting: natural watercolour techniques

courtyard
Time5:30 – 7:30 pm

Pattern painting: natural watercolour techniques with Samira Mian, Adam Williamson & Christopher Riederer.

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Group sunset walk to Plaza Blanca

Classroom
Time7:30 pm

Depart from the classroom for a final sunset walk to Plaza Blanca.

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Dinner

Canteen
Time9:00 pm

Day 5 - Breakfast and Check-out

06-Jul-2026
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Final Breakfast and Departure from Retreat

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Breakfast

Canteen
Time 9:00 am
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Check-out and course ends

Check-out before 12:00 pm and course ends.

Recommended equipment to bring

Recommended equipment to bring image
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Recommended equipment to bring

All materials & equipment provided but for those that would like to bring their own, here is the recommended list -

  • Compass (please note: compasses cannot be taken in hand luggage; some will be available on-site)

  • Plain cartridge paper sketchbook (ideally A3)

  • Mid-tone cartridge paper

  • White pencil

  • 30 cm ruler

  • Precision or “zero” eraser

  • Tracing paper

  • Range of graphite pencils (6B–4H)

  • Drawing pens / fine liners

  • Small watercolour or gouache set

  • Coloured pencils

Loading Map…

Map

1. Campus Main Location

342 County Road 155, Abiquiu, NM 87510

2. Santa Fe

Santa Fe, Nuevo México, EE. UU.

Pricing

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About Us

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AP
Art of Pattern
Art of Pattern was founded by Adam Williamson and Richard Henry in 2008. Richard and Adam have given workshops, presentations and public lectures at many of the leading cultural and educational institutions in the UK and beyond, including:- NYU & Spotify, USA, The British Museum, The British Library, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe, The MIA Museum Doha, Ithra Museum SA, The King’s School of Traditional Arts, The Slade School of Fine Art, Central St Martins, The Royal Society, Asia House, Cambridge

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