Marquetry & Drawing Workshops
In collaboration with the Reed Society for the Sacred Arts
Washington DC | 11–13 June 2027
FIRST US MARQUETRY WORKSHOP
For the first time in the United States, Art of Islamic Pattern will be teaching our complete two-day wood marquetry workshop, alongside a full day of Islamic geometric and biomorphic pattern drawing.
This special three-day Washington DC programme brings together traditional craft, geometry and architectural ornament, moving from compass-and-straightedge drawing on Friday to an immersive weekend working with beautiful natural hardwood veneers and traditional marquetry techniques.
Participants may join the Friday Drawing Day, the Weekend Marquetry Workshop, or experience the complete three-day programme.
All abilities welcome — no previous drawing, woodworking or marquetry experience is required.
MARQUETRY WORKSHOP
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 June 2027
Diyanet Center
9610 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706, United States
Traditional Wood Marquetry
Have you ever wondered how intricate wooden artworks — composed of hundreds of perfectly fitted pieces — are created?
For the first time in the United States, we are bringing our two-day traditional wood marquetry workshop to Washington DC.
Over the course of the weekend, participants will experience the process of transforming a geometric pattern into a richly detailed wooden artwork using beautiful natural hardwood veneers sourced from around the world.
You will learn how to select and combine woods for their colour, grain and character; accurately cut geometric components; work with specialist knives and chisels; incorporate traditional wood banding; and gradually assemble your composition piece by piece.
Some marquetry designs contain hundreds of individually prepared elements, revealing how repetition and geometry allow extraordinarily intricate artworks to emerge from a relatively small vocabulary of shapes.
The workshop is highly practical, with participants working on their own individual marquetry composition throughout the weekend.
You will learn:
- How to select and combine natural hardwood veneerUnderstanding grain, colour and contrast
- Translating geometric designs into marquetry
- Accurate cutting and preparation of geometric components
- Using specialist marquetry knives, chisels and tools
- Working with traditional decorative wood banding
- Building complex repeating geometric compositions
- Gluing and assembling the finished panel
- Clamping and pressing techniques
- Surface preparation and finishing principles
Alongside the practical work, we will look at examples of historic geometric woodwork and marquetry and explore how these traditional techniques can be applied within contemporary studio practice.
Your Finished Marquetry Panel
By Sunday, each participant will have assembled their own geometric marquetry artwork.
At the end of the workshop, the panels need to remain clamped while the adhesive fully cures.
After the workshop, we will complete the final stages in our studio, including cutting the panel to its finished dimensions and sanding and refining the surface.
Your completed marquetry artwork will then be posted to you approximately one week after the workshop, ready for you to enjoy at home.
All specialist woods, materials and equipment are provided.
No previous woodworking or marquetry experience is required.
Full Day of Islamic Pattern Drawing
Friday 11 June 2027
10:00am – 4:30pm
A full day exploring Islamic geometric and biomorphic pattern through the traditional practice of compass-and-straightedge construction.
The 2027 programme will feature an entirely new selection of drawings from our previous Washington DC classes, together with selected patterns from our New York teaching programme, giving returning participants an opportunity to considerably expand their repertoire.
Working step by step, participants will explore how sophisticated patterns develop through proportion, symmetry, repetition and underlying geometric structures.
Alongside geometric construction, we will investigate biomorphic and arabesque ornament, exploring how flowing vegetal forms relate to the geometric structures that underpin so much Islamic architectural decoration.
Historical imagery, architectural examples and digital reference material will accompany the teaching, connecting each drawing to the artistic traditions and buildings from which it originates.
The day is equally suitable for complete beginners and returning students.
Morning Session
10:00am – 1:00pm
Islamic geometric pattern construction using compass and straightedge.
Lunch
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Afternoon Session
2:00pm – 4:30pm
Geometric and biomorphic pattern study.
From Drawing to Making
For those joining the complete three-day programme, Friday’s drawing provides a foundation for the weekend’s practical work.
Participants move from exploring geometry with compass and straightedge on paper to experiencing how those same principles operate when a pattern is physically constructed from individual pieces of natural wood.
It is an opportunity to understand Islamic pattern not simply as an image, but as a process of drawing, material, craftsmanship and making.
Booking Options
Participants may book:
- Full Three-Day Programme — 11–13 June 2027
- Weekend Marquetry Workshop — 12–13 June 2027
- Friday Drawing Day — 11 June 2027
The marquetry workshop has limited places due to the hands-on nature of the teaching and the specialist tools and materials required for each participant.
Early booking is recommended.
Who Is It For?
The programme is suitable for:
- Complete beginners
- Returning Art of Islamic Pattern students
- Artists and craftspeople
- Architects and designers
- Woodworkers interested in geometric marquetry
- Students of Islamic art, architecture and ornament
- Anyone interested in learning through drawing and making
No previous drawing, woodworking or marquetry experience is required.
Participants under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Materials & Equipment
All specialist materials and equipment are provided, including:
- Natural hardwood veneers
- Decorative wood banding
- Wooden panel and backing materials
- Specialist marquetry knives and tools
- Adhesives and pressing equipment
- Drawing equipment and workshop materials
- Digital contextual and historical reference material
Your marquetry panel will be finished, cut and sanded after the workshop and posted to you approximately one week later.
Washington DC | 11–13 June 2027
FIRST US MARQUETRY WORKSHOP
Friday 11 June
Islamic Geometric & Biomorphic Pattern Drawing
10:00am–4:30pm
The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 June
Traditional Wood Marquetry
Diyanet Center of America
Limited places | All abilities welcome | No previous experience required
One wording change I made deliberately: I used “posted to you approximately one week after the workshop” rather than promising exactly one week. With glue curing, finishing and postage, that gives you a little flexibility if something takes longer than expected.
What Participants Say
“Unforgettable. The team was warm, helpful, and perfectly organised. The balance between art courses and guided site visits was exceptional. I would absolutely recommend this experience.”
— Sarah R.
“This was a tremendously enjoyable experience. The art instruction was excellent, the planning worked out perfectly, and most of all, the people were terrific.”
— Michael L.
“What an amazing experience to be part of.”
— Rosie
