The Omani Society for Fine Arts is advancing its mission to preserve artistic heritage and foster young talent through its Islamic Art Programme, which showcases the aesthetics of Islamic and Arab identity via Arabic calligraphy and traditional ornamentation.
The programme features two main tracks. The first, the Diwani Calligraphy Pathway, focuses on the beauty, precision and rich history of Diwani script, a cornerstone of Arab and Islamic cultural identity.
Calligrapher and trainer Anwar bint Khalifa al Hasaniyah described it as an intensive year-long programme that enhances technical skills, cultivates patience and focus; and preserves heritage.
The course includes theoretical lectures, practical workshops, artwork production and training in sentence, paragraph and panel design for 20 male and female trainees.
The second track covers the technical basics of Islamic ornamentation and advanced technical analysis, offering participants the knowledge and skills to create and critically interpret Islamic decorative arts.
This year-long programme targets 20 trainees for the basic programme and 9 female trainees for the advanced track. Participants study the history of Islamic ornamentation, explore various artistic schools, attend practical workshops and benefit from field visits to museums and the Omani Manuscripts House.
Through these initiatives, the Islamic Art Programme combines authenticity with contemporary approaches, empowering young artists to read, create and appreciate artworks with both critical insight and aesthetic sensibility. — ONA
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