The Art of Illumination (tazhib) Workshop

Join us for a workshop on the art of Islamic illumination (tahzib), with artist Behnaz Karjoo. Islamic illumination uses gold to adorn sacred texts. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore the beauty of tahzib featuring a motif from the Alhambra Palace in Spain.

This workshoop is presented in conjunction with Beauty: The Splendor of Truth seminar with Spanish poet and philosopher Emilio Alzueta.

No prior experience needed.

About the Artist: Behnaz Karjoo 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 Reed Society for the Sacred Arts (RSSA)

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.

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