3 Week Series: Moroccan Geometry Patterns from Al-Quaraouiyen Mosque (Beginner)

**This series started on February 7th. You can still register and we'll send you recordings of the last session to catch up.

Live from Fes, Morocco

Join us for an exciting brand new 3 week Moroccan geometry series with VAWAA artist and multidisciplinary Moroccan craftsman Hamza, that journeys into what is often called the world's first university. This is specially designed for beginners but advanced participants are welcome to register too! 

If you cannot participate live, you can get tickets and we'll send you recordings to follow along. You'll also receive invitation to a private moroccan FB group for discussions during the week. 

For three consecutive Sundays, February 7th - February 21st, Hamza will tune in live from Fes on Zoom. You'll discover and learn how to draw 3 geometric patterns found in the Al-Quaraouiyen Mosque/ University. 

This landmark site in Fes was founded by the visionary Fatima al-Fihri in 859. She financed and oversaw the construction of what would be a major intellectual centre, making sure materials were locally sourced. The Al-Quaraouiyen mosque continues to operate as a university and place of worship today. While we're currently unable to travel to Fes, and stand among the hordes of tourists to marvel at the stunning architecture, we can be transported by this exciting online series. 

Each session will last 2 hours, focusing on one (increasingly more intricate) pattern at a time. To top it off, we'll end every session with a special 10-minute performance of Moroccan Andalusian oud music by Hamza himself! And everyone will receive a certificate of participation. 

If you are not in EST time zone, be sure to convert the time.

Session 1: Qmarshoona w Khatem (Crescent & Seal) // February 7th 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST

We'll start with a mini lecture on Moroccan geometry covering symbolism and culture. Then we'll create our first pattern (central circular pattern in image below).

Session 2: Rbaa' Mtareq (Four Hammers) // February 14th 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST

We'll create the four hammers pattern found inside the mosque. 

Session 3: Rbaa Qfee (Four Necks) // February 21st 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST

In this last session, we'll create the four necks pattern found inside the mosque. 

What you'll need

A compass, pencil, ruler, divider (a compass with two sharp points), paper (A4 or A3), eraser, sharpener, and coloring pencils.

How to join

We'll be hosting this VAWAA Online on Zoom. You'll get the link and details to join via email a few hours before each session begins.

About Hamza

Hamza is an Andalusian Oud musician, a geometer, brass-smith, bookbinder, paper-maker, and founder of a crafts studio dedicated to Moroccan arts and crafts in Fes. He comes from a multigenerational family of artisans and passing on crafts knowledge is a family culture. He apprenticed under his father and traveled around 15 countries crafting and learning from masters. Now his mission is to continue this legacy and help people around the world connect with old Moroccan crafts. His traditional art revolves around the art of Compass & Ruler. With those two instruments, he draws and traces Moorish and Islamic geometric patterns, etches and engraves them on brass and copper trays and embosses them on leather book covers.

Visit his artist page to learn more about his in-person VAWAA.

Reviews

"Working live with Hamza was truly inspiring. He is an excellent teacher and was also able to ground us with the cultural significance of his art all throughout the lesson." - Steve

"Mr Hamza is an amazing teacher. He taught in a simple way and he gave a nice historical speech about islamic geometry. I love how he gives variations and different possibilities of the pattern. This opens up our curiosity and nourish our creativity." - Mona

"The surprise moment was when Hamza played this instrument for us after we were done with the pattern making. This made the whole experience personal & real." - Hitasha

"Well conducted using Zoom enabling us to understand the process and produce an attractive repeating pattern in a short time." - Sally

"The two hours with a fantastic teacher flew by! I'd recommend it if you get the chance!" - Ezra

"It’s addicting!" - Candy

"Being able to participate in the Moroccan Geometric Patterns workshop with Hamza was educational and inspiring. Not only was his teaching wonderful but getting to hear him play the oud was a treat every week. My classmates were also inspiring and I hope to take more classes with Hamza in the future... perhaps one day in Morocco." - Tania

"Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! Hamza is a wonderful--and very patient--teacher, who guided students to learn and successfully create designs we thought impossible to master." - Nicole

Sessions are ticketed to support artists, makers and our small team. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, please reach out. We may have a generous participant who has paid it forward. We would ask that you pay the love forward by sharing online sessions with friends.