About this Event
Geometry & Islamic Pattern Workshop
Alhambra Patterns: Stories of Lines and Curves
Date: March 14, 2026
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM EST
Location: The Compass Atelier, Kensington, Maryland
Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring the timeless beauty of Islamic geometric patterns found in the Alhambra. Presented in collaboration with MathArtPlay.
This workshop shows how lines and curves—built on square and circular grids—come together to form rich, repeating patterns. Participants will work through the construction of two historical Islamic geometric patterns found in the Alhambra in Granada, Spain (13th–14th century). Similar designs also appear in Seljuk Anatolia (13th century) and later across North Africa—particularly in Morocco (14th–18th centuries)—highlighting a shared geometric approach across regions and time.
The workshop is led by Dr. Rebin Muhammad, a mathematician, educator, and artist originally from the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and Alexandra Veremeychik, an Islamic geometric artist. Participants will construct two Alhambra patterns and compare how similar visual designs can arise from different underlying grids—one based on a square grid and the other on a circular grid.
In this workshop, participants will:
- Learn the geometric structures behind traditional Alhambra patterns
- Construct patterns using compass and straightedge techniques
- Explore how square and circular grids shape geometric designs
- See how different underlying structures can lead to similar visual results
No prior experience in art or mathematics is required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore. Participants will leave with completed patterns and a deeper appreciation of geometry as a creative and cultural language.
Open to students, educators, artists, and anyone curious about geometry, culture, design, and pattern. All materials provided.
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 Compass Atelier, 10335 Kensington Parkway, Kensington, United States
USD 44.52
