Running from March to June, the award-winning Muslim Arts and Culture Festival returns to Manchester with an unmissable programme of in-person and online art workshops for all ages and abilities, from silk painting and mosaic-making to various forms of breathtaking calligraphy.
Elsewhere, experienced Tezhip/illumination artist Ashfia Ashrif hosts a serene painting class for visitors to start their day with gentle, relaxing art. Suitable for ages 13 and above, Ashfia will offer guidance on a simple and rejuvenating process during which guests draw their own flowers and paint them in a variety of colours.
Suitable for adults and children of all ages, renowned calligrapher Farzana Patel kicks off MACFEST’s first morning with a fascinating class in which visitors can follow along with her demonstrations to create their own intricate pieces to take home.
Running as part of MACFEST’s Opening Ceremony festivities at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Zareena Bano’s two-hour art workshop encourages guests to celebrate creative self-expression using the ancient techniques of mosaic design.
Drawing inspiration from books and pattern art across history, visitors will learn the basics of mosaics and create their own using a wide array of materials, from tiles, mirrors and beads to buttons, shells and even jewellery.
This event is part of the Muslim Women’s Art Festival, and is accompanied by a free mosaic exhibition.
Led by Aysha Yilmaz, this delightful afternoon workshop invites participants to explore the artistic intricacy of motifs and designs from The Silk Road region, spanning Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkey and beyond, before producing their own silk paintings to take home.
Hosted via zoom, Samar Farooq’s Chinese Calligraphy workshop introduces participants to the enchanting ancient practice of Sini Calligraphy, an artistic script practice dating back to the 14th century, with a focus on free-flowing beauty and compositional balance. Alongside a step-by-step demonstration, Samir will discuss her own calligraphy journey and showcase a selection of artworks she produced for her teacher, Hajinoor Deen.
Ideal for both beginners and those who attended last year’s session, Ashfia leads another magical Turkish Illumination workshop which leads budding artists through guided demonstrations across an engaging afternoon at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, as well as speaking about her personal journey as an artist with examples of her stunning work.
Celebrated as a modern trailblazer behind the revival and reimagination of Islamic Calligraphy in the West, multifaceted artist Samir Malik runs a captivating online class which expounds on the profound beauty of the medium, drawing on both classical and contemporary forms to produce mesmerising creations based on his travels around the world and the artists, spiritual teachers and extraordinary humans he met along the way.
macfest.org.uk/whats-on
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Tue 6 Feb 2024
Taking place during the first morning of MACFEST’s Opening Ceremony weekend, Bolton-based artist Aysha Yilmaz hosts a creative session dedicated to all-things dry felting. Suitable for total beginners, the workshop teaches guests how to make their own 3D needle felted objects such as flowers, hives and bees, with demonstrations and advice as you go.