Classical Arabic Calligraphy Workshop

Materials and supplies are provided, and all skill levels are welcome!

The Artist: Drawn to the mysterious and elegant forms of classical Arabic calligraphy, Khalid Casado, found himself scouring the internet to learn more. His search led him to meet the esteemed Nuria Garcia Masip, who had trained with the best artists in this field. Meeting her opened up doors to worlds that he could have never imagined. After six years of training, traveling and relentlessly practicing, he received his icacet, or license, in Istanbul.

Now a master in his own right, Khalid brings a unique perspective to the art of Arabic calligraphy. Khalid pours over the details of compositions and plays with lines and dots, poetry and sacred verse, in unexpected ways, but always maintaining the integrity of the classical form, in letter and manner.

Khalid teaches and exhibits internationally. You can view his works most recently at exhibitions such as the Biennial in Sharjah, Medina in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Washington DC and most recently Mexico City.

The Venue: The Islamic Center of Nashville (ICN) is one of the oldest mosques in Tennessee. ICN was founded in 1978 in an effort to help in the preservation of the spiritual well-being of its members as well as to foster a greater and better understanding between Muslims and people of others faiths.

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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 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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