The ‘Sacred Arts of Islam’ Festival International Artists Gather at the Foot of Glastonbury Tor to Demonstrate the Beauty of Islamic Art

International artists from Pakistan, Bangladesh, France, Poland and the United Kingdom are conveying the beauty of Islam through their art. Many of the contributors are alumni and tutors at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, founded by HRH The Prince of Wales, where the teaching of the practical skills of traditional arts and crafts are combined with an understanding of the philosophy inherent within them.

The ‘Sacred Arts of Islam’ Festival covers Islamic garden design, sacred geometry, arabesque (nature patterns), calligraphy, fresco painting, miniature painting, ceramics, textile printing, and plaster carving. The programme includes music, ‘Sacred Arts of Islam’ exhibition, an innovative audio-visual live performance, workshops and an Interpretive 'Exhibition of Islamic Art' on loan from The Prince’s School.

Exhibition Curator Tom Bree, geometer and Tutor at The Prince’s School says “The Sacred Arts of Islam festival at the Chalice Well in Glastonbury will display the truth, beauty and goodness of the Islamic tradition. There is so much in the media about Islam at the moment and the quiet and contemplative beauty of Islamic art will remind visitors to Chalice Well of the profound and peaceful depth that perpetually resides at the heart of Creation”

Highlights from the Exhibition ‘Sacred Arts of Islam’

Nuria Garcia Masip, Calligraphy / Courtesy of The ‘Sacred Arts of Islam’ Festival and the Artist

Bahman Panah, Calligraphy / Courtesy of The ‘Sacred Arts of Islam’ Festival and the Artist

Daniel Docherty, Geometric Arabesque / Courtesy of The ‘Sacred Arts of Islam’ Festival and the Artist

Fatima Zahra Hassan, miniature Love charms / Courtesy of The ‘Sacred Arts of Islam’ Festival and the Artist

Event Organiser, Natasha Wardle explains; “Those that come to the Sacred Arts of Islam, will not only see some breath taking art and hear some wonderful music but will discover from world class master artists and crafts people how they too can create such beauty. And more than this, we hope that they will take away with them an understanding and appreciation of the wisdom of Islam that will enrich their spiritual path and experience of the world.”

The Chalice Well is one of Britain’s oldest and most continuously used wells set in landscaped gardens at the foot of Glastonbury Tor. A designated World Peace Garden, the Well is looked after by The Chalice Well Trust and welcomes 40,000 visitors every year from around the world who come to ‘take the waters’ and experience the peace and tranquillity of the gardens.