عن المدرسة - School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation

The School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation is a specialised art school in Fujairah, UAE. It was established in 2023 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Alsharqi.

The school offers a variety of workshops and programs dedicated to the traditional arts of the book, including calligraphy, ornamentation, gilding, miniature painting, and bookbinding crafts.

These courses are open to adults interested in learning these artistic skills from anywhere in the world.

Fujairah is a beautiful city overlooking the Indian Ocean and surrounded by mountains, which makes it the perfect destination for an artistic escape.

Mission & Vision

Vision

الحفاظ على فنون المخطوطات والخط العربي والزخرفة العربية والإسلامية وتجديدها، باعتبارها تعبيرات حية عن الهوية الثقافية، مسترشدةً بالممارسات التقليدية، ومتجذرة في الفجيرة، ومتفاعلة مع العالم.

Mission

النهوض بفنون المخطوطات والخط العربي والزخرفة العربية والإسلامية والحفاظ عليها وتطويرها، من خلال التعليم المعتمد، والممارسات التقليدية، والإنتاج الإبداعي، والمبادرات الثقافية المبتكرة، انطلاقًا من الفجيرة، ووصولًا إلى جمهور عالمي.

Core Values of the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation:

The School’s Core Values are based on six key principles

الرعاية الثقافية

الحفاظ على التراث الفني العربي والإسلامي بمسؤولية مؤسسية ونزاهة.

السلطة العلمية

بناء القرارات المؤسسية على البحث العلمي الدقيق، والتوثيق، وأطر المعرفة المعترف بها.

التميز المؤسسي

تطبيق معايير عالية للجودة في جميع الوظائف الأكاديمية والفنية والإدارية.

الابتكار المنضبط

تطوير التطبيقات المعاصرة مع احترام المبادئ الأساسية.

القيمة الثقافية العامة

إحداث أثر ثقافي مستدام يخدم المجتمع والمنظومة الإبداعية الأوسع.

الشراكة المسؤولة

بناء علاقات مؤسسية قائمة على الثقة والتكامل والمسؤولية المشتركة.

School Departments

The school has five departments, each with a range of experts , including calligraphy, ornamentation, gilding, miniature, and bookmaking crafts..

Arabic Calligraphy

Arabic calligraphy is a fundamental element of Islamic art and lies at the heart of the arts of gilding and ornamentation. The school specialises in teaching Arabic calligraphy in its various styles, such as: Ruq'ah, Diwani, Kufi, and Thuluth and other styles of calligraphy.

Ornamentation (Gilding, Biomorphic, and Geometric Decoration)

This department provides students with a deep understanding of patterns biomorphic (Nabati) patterns and geometric patterns, through a combination of freehand skills and the use of a compass and straightedgeto create intricate decorative designs inspired by Islamic art.

Gilding

Gilding is a beautiful art that involves the use of reflective metals, especially gold. Its techniques can be applied to artworks produced in other departments, whether on paper or various surfaces
The school will teach both Islamic and Western gilding techniques.

Miniature Art

The art of drawing and painting in the traditional miniature style, as found in historical manuscripts, combines intricate ornamentation with gilding to create richly detailed and visually stunning scenes.

The Art of Bookmaking

This department is an essential part of the art of manuscript production, covering the various stages of bookmaking, from hand-binding the pages to making leather coversusing traditional techniques that combine precision and beauty.

فريق العمل

المدير العام لمدرسة الخط والزخرفة

Dr.Esra Alhamal

Dr. Esra Alhamal is a Saudi artist, educator, and published author. Educated in the UK, Dr. Alhamal completed her PhD in London with a specialisation in ornamental patterns found in historic Islamic architecture. She has taught extensively in the UK, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, contributing to the preservation and teaching of traditional arts. In 2025, she published her book Islamic Biomorphic Patterns. Dr. Alhamal is also the host of the Art Illuminated and Golden Pages podcasts, where she explores the intersections of art, culture, and creativity.