Experiment with basic Arabic Calligraphy letters with Razwan Ul-Haq, a master craftsperson and scholar of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust.

You’ll hear how Razwan creates his hand mixed pigmented inks and handmade bamboo pens, and use these tools to practice your own calligraphy letters which you can take away after the session.

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) supports and champions excellence in British craftsmanship by funding the training and education of talented and aspiring makers. Since 1990, the charity has awarded £5.5million to nearly 800 makers working across the UK – helping to sustain and evolve vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts. QEST strongly believes that opportunities to develop making skills and careers in craft should be open to all, regardless of background or circumstance, and as part of its ‘Crafting Futures: Pathways to Excellence’ programme, is developing a range of projects to inspire and engage the next generation of professional makers.

Razwan Al Huq is a professional calligrapher based in Bradford, who creates visual art using Arabic calligraphy techniques. He is intrigued by how words as a visual form can distil perceptions and meaning. Razwan has studied with a number of calligraphy masters – most recently Keramat Fathinia, master of Nastaliq calligraphy, with support of a QEST Scholarship. He is dedicated to sharing his craft in different settings and frequently hosts workshops for all ages and abilities. He is a visiting lecturer at Cheltenham Ladies College and Ullswater College, and this year has exhibited in the Middle East, as well as being part of the Van Gogh Immersive Experience.