Sacred Symmetry: A Workshop in Islamic Geometry

First of our series, we present an Islamic geometry workshop featuring a pattern of the Royal Mosque in 17th century Safavid Isfahan Reed Society for Sacred Arts and MathArtPlay present a workshop series surrounding Islamic geometric pattern. Participants will learn about the depth of Islamic geometry through hands-on instruction. In the first session of our workshop series with MathArtPlay, participants will complete a pattern from the 17th century Royal Mosque built in Safavid Iran in the city of Isfahan. No prior experience in art or mathematics is required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore. Participants will leave with completed patterns and a deeper appreciation of geometry as a creative and cultural language. Open to students, educators, artists, and anyone curious about geometry, culture, design, and pattern. All materials provided. Dates of the workshop series: • November 14, 2026 • December 12, 2026 • January 23, 2027 • February 20, 2027 • March 27, 2027 Participants who participate in 5 workshops will have an opportunity to showcase their resulting artwork at a closing exhibition. - Rebin Muhammad, PhD, is a mathematics educator and co-founder of MathArtPlay (https://www.mathartplay.org). His work explores creative ways to make mathematics visual, interactive, and accessible through geometry, puzzles, pattern, design, and hands-on making. He has developed and facilitated MathArtPlay programs with museums, libraries, schools, universities, festivals, and community organizations. Alexandra Veremeychik is an Islamic geometric artist, researcher at the University of Maryland, and co-founder of MathArtPlay. Her work brings together geometry, artistic practice, pattern, and cultural traditions to create engaging hands-on learning experiences. She has designed and led MathArtPlay workshops and programs with museums, libraries, schools, universities, festivals, and community organizations. The Reed Society for the Sacred Arts (RSSA) works with a global network of artists and musicians to nurture the cultural, intellectual, and spiritual wisdom woven into sacred art forms. The Reed Society's work serves not only as a platform for cultural preservation but also as a source of healing and reconnection for diverse populations, particularly diaspora communities, immigrants, and refugees seeking to engage with their heritage. In collaboration with leading artists and institutions, our organization curates a rich array of programs — including hands-on workshops, immersive retreats, musical performances, academic lectures, and exhibitions. The Reed Society’s work spans disciplines such as Arabic and Ottoman calligraphy, Islamic illumination (tazhib/tehzib), sacred geometry, and traditional music forms such as Qawwali and Sufi-inspired vocal traditions. The Reed Society has partnered with organizations such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, The Walters Art Museum, The Kennedy Center, and major universities including Harvard, George Washington University and Stanford. Keep the connection alive — Join our newsletter for upcoming Reed Society programs and events. For questions or to register, please contact: [email protected] This program is presented in part with Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org)