The Art of Illumination at the Old American Can Factory with Behnaz Karjoo
Schedule
Sun Aug 02 2026 at 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
The Old American Can Factory | Brooklyn, NY
About this Event
The Art of Islamic Illumination (tazhib)
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, held in Brooklyn, NY.
No prior experience needed.
This is a full day program.
About the Artist: Born in Tehran, Iran, Behnaz Karjoo is a recognized Iranian-American artist. She 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.
About the Venue: The Old American Can Factory is an historic, six-building, 130,000 SF industrial complex in Gowanus, Brooklyn, housing a curated community of more than 350 persons including, artisans/fabricators, visual/performing artists, poets/writers/publishers, filmmakers/theater-makers, architects/designers, educators and others working in the culture industry. The (OA) Can Factory was planned & developed by XØ Projects Inc.
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 esteemed 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.
Where is it happening?
The Old American Can Factory, 232 3rd Street, Brooklyn, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 151.23
