Seeking the Light: Full Day Illumination Workshop with Behnaz Karjoo

Reed Society is delighted to present Behnaz Karjoo to guide you through the intricate art of Islamic Illumination. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore the beauty of this artform.

No prior experience needed.
This is a full day program.

Location will be shared upon registration.

About the Artist: Behnaz Karjo studied jewelry design and photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology before embarking on the classical arts. Under the mentorship of Mujgan Baskoylu, a distinguished master in Turkish illumination, miniature painting, and paper cutting, Behnaz began her practice and earned her ijazet, a certificate of mastery in illumination, in 2016. In addition to tazhib, she practices miniature art and square kufic calligraphy. She is a member of the New York Islamic Arts collective, and she collaborates regularly with Reed Society for the Sacred Arts.

Behnaz has exhibited her works internationally, including San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Istanbul, Kuwait City, Sharjah and other cities. Her workshops and lectures have drawn audiences from around the world, where she introduces students at all levels to techniques of illumination, in both academic and community-driven spaces, including Frist Art Museum and the University of Pennsylvania among others. Behnaz holds the belief that while classical arts, including illumination, have a timeless foundation, their potential for innovation and growth is boundless. Read more here.

The Reed Society for the Sacred Arts (RSSA) cultivates a global network of artists and musicians to preserve and promote the cultural, intellectual, and spiritual wisdom woven into sacred art forms and connect to contemporary art practices. 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 multidisciplinary programming including Arabic and Ottoman calligraphy, Islamic illumination (tazhib/tehzib), sacred geometry, and traditional music forms like Qawwali and Sufi-inspired vocal traditions through hands-on workshops, immersive retreats, musical performances, academic lectures, and exhibitions.

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.

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For questions or to register, please contact: [email protected]

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