Programme Overview

At a glance

Day 1 - Foundations of Geometric and Biomorphic Pattern

26-Jun-2026

Explore Geometric and Arabesque Pattern Traditions

Geometric Islamic Pattern

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum 701 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052,

Time9:30am – 11:30am

An introduction to geometric pattern construction using the traditional tools of compass and straightedge. Participants will construct a classical rosette while learning about proportion, symmetry, and the underlying grid systems that govern Islamic geometric design.

Geometric Islamic Pattern

Moroccan Geometric Patterns

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum 701 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052,

Time12:00 – 2:00pm

This session focuses on zellij geometry from Fez and Marrakech. Participants will construct multi-layered rosettes and explore how repetition, rotation, and subdivision are used in Moroccan tilework.

Moroccan Geometric Patterns

Persian Biomorphic Patterns

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum 701 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052,

Time3:00 – 4:30pm

An introduction to flowing Persian vegetal patterns, examining how organic forms grow from geometric frameworks. Emphasis is placed on rhythm, continuity, and balance.

Persian Biomorphic Patterns

Washington DC ~ June ’26

Introduction

Washington DC / 26-28th June 2026

Geometric & Arabesque Pattern Workshops

In collaboration with the Reed Society for the Sacred Arts

Locations:

Friday 26 June 2026

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

701 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052, United States

Saturday and Sunday, 27–28 June 2026

Diyanet Center 9610 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706, United States

Overview

This three-day programme offers an in-depth exploration of geometric and arabesque pattern traditions from across the Islamic world, combining precise drawing-based study with hands-on material practice.

Participants move from classical compass-and-straightedge constructionsand biomorphic pattern design into a full-day plaster carving workshop, translating two-dimensional patterns into architectural relief. The course integrates historical context, structural logic, and contemporary studio practice, providing both a conceptual and practical understanding of traditional pattern-making.

All sessions are accompanied by digital contextual reference material, including historical imagery, diagrams, and source examples, supplied alongside the workshops for continued study and reference.

The workshop is designed as a natural learning progression for returning students, while remaining fully accessible to new participants.

All classes and course material are entirely new and differ from those taught in Washington DC in 2025 at the Katzen Center, as well as from the New York workshops taking place the previous week. Participants attending both programmes may book at a discounted rate.

Day 2 - Arabesque and Advanced Pattern Systems

27-Jun-2026

Explore Arabesque and Advanced Pattern Systems

Moroccan Stucco Patterns

Diyanet Center 9610 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706, United States

Time9:30am – 11:30am

Participants will draw a biomorphic stucco rosette inspired by the Bou Inania Madrasa (1356), Fez, learning how carved plaster decoration is designed specifically for architectural surfaces.

Moroccan Stucco Patterns

Arabesque Patterns (Islimi & Rumi)

Diyanet Center 9610 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706, United States

Time1:00 – 3:00pm

This session explores the Islimi arabesque tradition, with a focus on the Rumi family of motifs. Participants will learn how vegetal forms interlock, branch, and repeat, creating dynamic yet controlled compositions.

Arabesque Patterns

Geometric Persian Patterns

Diyanet Center 9610 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706, United States

Time4:00 – 6:00pm

A more advanced geometric session focusing on 5- and 10-fold symmetry, commonly found in medieval Persian architecture. Participants will learn to construct complex polygonal systems and understand their structural logic.

Geometric Persian Patterns

Day 3 - Plaster Carving Workshop

28-Jun-2026

Hands-On Plaster Carving and Pattern Making

Plaster Carving

Diyanet Center 9610 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706, United States

Time10:00am – 5:00pm

A full-day, hands-on workshop introducing traditional plaster carving techniques. Participants will work with cast plaster panels and carve either a geometric or biomorphic pattern of their choice, using traditional tools and methods. The session covers preparing and transferring designs, carving techniques and tool control, understanding depth, shadow, and relief, and finishing and surface refinement. Each participant will complete a carved panel to take home.

Plaster Carving

Loading Map…

Map

1. The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

701 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052, EE. UU.

2. Diyanet Center of America

9610 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706, EE. UU.