Calligraphy

For a few years, we ran a traditional Arabic calligraphy course and then in 2014 we thought, hey! why don’t we hold a creative calligraphy class instead. Lo and behold, Joumana Medlej’s Creative Arabic Calligraphy course was born!

Joumana teaches this course twice a year:

March- April
September – November

And here’s a little description of the course itself:

Kufi was the first Arabic script to be consciously made beautiful. Unlike later scripts characterized by strict formal rules, it lends itself to being constantly reinvented, so that it thrives on the same creative freedom that animated the first calligraphers. Joumana Medlej learned to work with Kufi through years of apprenticeship with renowned Lebanese calligrapher Samir Sayegh, and has put together an original course to transmit this material. The aim of the course in returning to Kufi is to guide students towards finding their own approach to the art of Arabic calligraphy.

Check our current calligraphy course here

Biography on Joumana Medlej:

Joumana was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. A graphic designer by training, she learned the essence of Kufi script, the oldest form of Arabic, from master calligrapher Samir Sayegh, through years of close collaboration. She learned to breathe new life into a traditional art, not merely copying or reviving its old forms but finding a contemporary language for it. She is especially interested in the unique relationship between Kufi and geometry, both sacred arts. She now lives in London where her study of these fields is ongoing.

See more at http://majnouna.com/

SPECIFIC CALLIGRAPHY FAQS:

What school of Calligraphy does the course teach?
Joumana teaches Creative Calligraphy. The course uses the Kufi script as a foundation, but encourages students to be creative with the traditional form and find their own approach to the art of Arabic calligraphy.

How many students will be in each class?
There will be a maximum of 10 students in each class.

Do I need to be able to read and write Arabic?
No knowledge of Arabic is required

Do I need to be able to draw?
No, the script is mostly constructed, not freehand, so drawing skills are not essential.

Are materials provided?
All materials for the course are provided up to the final project, for which students will have the option of bringing their own, particularly if they wish to work in a medium other than paper (mosaic, canvas, ceramic…).

GENERAL FAQS:

When do the courses run?

We run courses three times a year, January – March, April – June and September – November.

Can I book a place and pay later?

No, your place on the course will only be confirmed on receipt of the course fee in full.

How can I sign up to a class?

You can sign up online going to our homepage ‘Book a Course’. You can find information on our current Calligraphy course and book online here

What methods of payment do you accept?

Online Payment. You can book your course online going to our homepage ‘Book a Course’.  Payment is required to confirm your place on the course.

What is your refund policy?

Our courses are often over-subscribed so the sooner you let us know you’ve changed your mind the better. We can then open your place up to someone else. Our rules on refunds are:

  • 75%  of the course fee will be refunded if you let us know more than 30 days before the course start date.
  • 50% of the course fee will be refunded if you let us know within 10 – 30 days before the course start date.
  • No refund will be given if you let us know fewer than 10 days before the course start date.

What happens if you cancel the course?

We will endeavour to ensure courses are not cancelled but if this does happen we will contact you as quickly as we can to let you know and to arrange a full refund.

Please contact us if you have any further questions on 020 78321310 or info@arabbritishcentre.org.uk