No prior knowledge of Arabic or Farsi is required to take this workshop.
My meditative calligraphy workshops began a few years ago in Samos, Greece, where I worked closely with refugees of all ages and nationalities in small and large sessions as a way of addressing (and beginning to heal) the trauma within in an un-intrusive and gentle manner. What distinguishes this calligraphy workshop is that it is led with a meditative & healing approach. It focuses on the artistic qualities of the practice of calligraphy over the technicalities of it, and it offers a feminine approach to a predominantly masculine medium. It is one of the most beautiful ways to introduce people to the culture and art of a region which is often quite unfairly and inaccurately represented in the media. This class, while focusing on calligraphy, will also introduce students to music, art, and literature from the region. This is an all encompassing workshop which focuses on the interior state of the participating student, while teaching a new craft, and learning more about the MENA region.
How does it work?
By learning to understand and speak the language of the hands. Calligraphy demands a very particular form of engagement. Because so much of our emotions is released through our hands, I am often very attuned to the emotions of the participant based on how they hold the reed pen and how they move it across the page. In previous workshops, I would take these observations and work closely with artists in helping them become more aware of their current mindset by simply drawing attention to their hands. In addition, I often begin each session in silence and meditation, giving each participant the time to make that necessary transition. Both I and the students I have worked with have used calligraphy to work through very difficult periods of our lives, and I believe some may find this class particularly helpful if they are passing through a challenging time.