About this Event
Reed Society is honored to present Adam Williamson to Washington DC for a full day of workshops at the GW University Textile Museum.
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.
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.
An introduction to flowing Persian vegetal patterns, examining how organic forms grow from geometric frameworks. Emphasis is placed on rhythm, continuity, and balance.
Adam is a leading specialist in geometric and biomorphic (Arabesque) pattern, a traditional cursive art form that can be found universally. The visual crystallisation of movement, biomorphs express the archetypal cycles inherent in nature, from plant growth, sound vibrations and oceanic currents to the expansion of galaxies.
Adam co-runs immersive study trips to locations all over the world. In 2022 his book “Profound Patterns” was published, he has also contributed chapters to the best selling Thames and Hudson book and is currently working on an extensive manual on biomorphic pattern.
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The Reed Society for the Sacred Arts (RSSA) works with a global network of artists and musicians to nurture the cultural, intellectual, and spiritual wisdom woven into sacred art forms. The Reed Society's work serves not only as a platform for cultural preservation but also as a source of healing and reconnection for diverse populations, particularly diaspora communities, immigrants, and refugees seeking to engage with their heritage.
In collaboration with leading artists and institutions, our organization curates a rich array of programs — including hands-on workshops, immersive retreats, musical performances, academic lectures, and exhibitions. The Reed Society’s work spans disciplines such as Arabic and Ottoman calligraphy, Islamic illumination (tazhib/tehzib), sacred geometry, and traditional music forms such as Qawwali and Sufi-inspired vocal traditions.
The Reed Society has partnered with organizations such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, The Walters Art Museum, The Kennedy Center, and major universities including Harvard, George Washington University and Stanford.
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For questions or to register, please contact: [email protected]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street Northwest, Washington, United States
USD 140.56
