Our art studio explores Islamic concepts and Muslim perspectives through the traditional and contemporary arts. Join us for exhibits, workshops & courses, forums, and special events on calligraphy, illumination, miniature painting, ceramics, metalwork, and more.
Discover the timeless techniques and philosophical & spiritual depths of these art forms through the eyes of traditional masters, artists, and historiographers. Our aim is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for Islamic history and thought through the arts, and to support traditional and contemporary artists inspired by these narratives and traditions.
A space for contemplation, connection, and creativity
Islamic Art Studio
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Seldon Art Collaborative
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Workshops & Courses
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Private Events
Calligraphic Journeys through the Beauty of Islamic Art introduces participants to the traditional Persian and Ottoman calligraphy schools, and the de facto CalligraVie school in Paris.
Guided by master calligraphers Bahman Panahi and Nuria Garcia Masip, participants will explore the tools and materials of the calligrapher, learn basic writing techniques, and discover the aesthetics and philosophy of these schools. The workshop concludes with an experiential workshop on Musicalligraphy—a contemporary conceptual approach created by Bahman Panahi using traditional tools. Uniting the hand, the eye, and the ear, participants will be introduced to the musicality of calligraphy through ink, gesture, and rhythm.
Collaborators
Experience the CalligraVie on Voyage retreat in Chicago. CalligraVie is a de facto school of calligraphy that slowly emerged in Paris due to the convergence of dedicated students studying with Bahman Panahi. This, now traveling school, continues to expand through its international retreats known as CalligraVie on Voyage—an international arts program and collaborative exhibition that explores traditional and contemporary forms of calligraphy with master calligrapher, Bahman Panahi. This year the program is hosted by the Seldon Institute in Chicago.
Join us for a Three Generational Exhibit, traditional and contemporary calligraphy workshops on the Nastaliq script and Musicalligraphy, and optional Curated Excursions connecting you to the artistic pulse and history of Chicago.
CalligraVie is a de facto school of calligraphy that slowly emerged in Paris due to the convergence of dedicated students studying with Bahman Panahi. This, now traveling school, continues to expand through its international retreats known as CalligraVie on Voyage.
Seldon Art Collaborative
The Collaborative is an artist-led platform where artists specializing in the Islamic arts, or inspired by its principles, come together to exchange ideas, knowledge, and resources, showcase their artwork, and engage in meaningful discussions. From honoring timeless traditions to exploring contemporary expressions, artists are encouraged to share their authentic voices, artistic techniques, and diverse perspectives.
This platform empowers artists with the knowledge and resources to inspire and be inspired, and to foster a vibrant community that understands the significance and beauty of the Islamic arts in all its definitions and forms.
Be a Patron of the Islamic Arts
Featured miniature artwork are from original pieces by Nebahat Pektaş.
Musicalligraphy | Bahman Panahi
This Master Class, created exclusively by Bahman Panahi, works with different artistic and pedagogical methods to understand the relationship between the arts of calligraphy and music.
Through a series of innovative techniques, participants will learn to connect and synchronize the hand and the ear; finding harmony between listening and gesture. Different exercises addressing rhythm and movement using the reed pen (qalam), the primary calligraphy tool, will provide a unique opportunity to discover new creative horizons.
The Art of Harmony and Proportion | Nuria Garcia Masip
This Master Class aims to open a window onto the sacred art of Classical Islamic Calligraphy by introducing participants to the traditional tools and materials, the correct posture and calligraphic gesture, and the main principles of harmony and proportion which guide Arabic script calligraphy.
The art of Islamic calligraphy conveys meaning through text and form, each calligraphy is intended to inspire the viewer to read, or simply contemplate, the various layers of meaning contained in each stroke, letter, and composition. Participants will be encouraged to explore these different dimensions through a final creative exercise.