Make a Tile: Gypsum Carving Workshop

Learn to to make a plaster mould from scratch, cast a tile, and transfer and carve a traditional Islamic design using carving tools.
About this Event

Gypsum carving has traditionally been used to create some of the most exquisite qamariyas (stained glass windows) and tiles in the Islamic world. In this hands-on workshop, Mariam Ashraf will introduce participants to traditional plasterwork. Learn to to make a plaster mould from scratch, cast a tile, and transfer and carve a traditional design using carving tools.

Supported by The School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation (SOCO), a specialised art school in Fujairah, UAE.

Age requirement: 15+

Please note that doors will close shortly before the advertised time so we request that you arrive 15 minutes before the start time.

About Mariam Ashraf

Mariam is an artist specialising in Islamic traditional arts and crafts, with a particular focus on gypsum craftsmanship. She holds an MA in Traditional Arts from The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. Her practice explores traditional materials, techniques, and patterns, celebrating the richness of Islamic artistic heritage. She is passionate about preserving and sharing traditional craftsmanship through her artistic practice and teaching.

About The School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation (SOCO)

The School of Calligraphy & Ornamentation (SOCO), established in 2023 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, is a government institution dedicated to preserving, teaching, and advancing the traditional arts of the Islamic manuscript.

Based in Fujairah, UAE, SOCO offers specialized educational programs in Arabic calligraphy, Islamic geometric and botanical ornamentation, miniature painting, illumination, gilding, and bookbinding. Through workshops, long-term courses, exhibitions, and cultural collaborations, the School aims to preserve traditional artistic knowledge, nurture emerging talent, and promote the appreciation of Islamic arts among local and international audiences.

About The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts

The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts runs from 19 to 29 November 2026, bringing performances, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops to Cambridge's historic colleges, museums, and cultural spaces. Open to everyone, the festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of Islamic arts, and, fifty years on from the landmark 1976 World of Islam Festival, carries that spirit into our own time. Find out more at cfia.co.uk.