3 Week Series: Drawing Moroccan Geometric Patterns (BEGINNER/ INTERMEDIATE)

Live from Fes, Morocco

On popular demand, we're creating a brand new 3 week series with VAWAA Artist and multidisciplinary Moroccan craftsman Hamza on the art of sacred Moroccan geometric patterns. This is specially designed for beginners/ intermediate but advanced participants are welcome to register, too! 

Join from any time zone -- participate live or through recordings.

For three consecutive Saturdays, September 19 - October 3, join Hamza live on Zoom as we learn about Moroccan geometric patterns found in Fes’s historic Mosques, Madrasas, Zawiyas, and royal palaces; all from the 9th century to late 19th century." Each session will last 2 hours, building up smoothly into something deeper and more grand. To top it off, we'll end every session with a special 10-minute performance of Moroccan Andalusian oud music by Hamza himself!

There'll be optional homework (~2 hrs/week) for those looking to level up. We will also have a private Facebook group with Hamza to connect between sessions, share, ask questions, and get feedback. We'll end the series with a special online exhibition. 

Please note that VAWAA Online Pass cannot be used for this series.

Joining us from a different time zone? Be sure to convert the time.

Session 1: Waraq Atteen // September 19 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

We'll start with a mini lecture on Moroccan geometry covering symbolism and culture. Then we'll create our first pattern found on a Zellij from the 14th C. Abou Al Hassan Fountain in Fes Medina.

Session 2: Rbaa Qfee // September 26 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

We'll create a pattern found on a hand painted century old special bride box from Fes Medina.

Session 3:  Tnashri Bel Awja // October 3 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

We'll construct special pattern found on a carved Gypsum from the arched gate of the 14th C. Bou Inania Madrasa in Fes Medina. 

Online Exhibition // October 11 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

We'll end the series with a special online exhibition. Curious folks who make up the awesome VAWAA community, as well as friends and family, will join from around the world to celebrate our hard work, creativity and works. We'll each have a chance to display our favorite patterns and share about our experience - it's going to be a party!

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, paper-marbler 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