The Golden Ratio: 

Jewel of Geometry and Cosmos

23, 24 October 2021 

 with Daniel Docherty

10:00-17:00  Cost: £130  (Fully booked)

2022 course dates tbc soon

Details/bookings

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SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

Kite of Life with Golden squiggles - SAOG Studios March 2020

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Celtic Pattern, Geometry and Imagination

A five-day extended course with Adam Tetlow

25-29 October 2021

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

10:00-17:00   Cost: £335  Book now

Details

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'The course was very exciting! Adam is an excellent teacher,

the location is wonderful and everything forces me to book further courses!'

Werner from Switzerland.

(Participant on SAOG Studio's Sept. 2019 Celtic Pattern, Geometry and Imagination course)

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Mandalas of the World

with Daniel Docherty 

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1-5 November 2021

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SAOG Studios 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

10:00-17:00   Cost: £335 

Booking 

Mandalas, in essence, can be understood to be diagrams, patterns and pictures that are distillations

of cosmic wisdom and harmony; repositories of archetypal intelligence.

Mandalas offer a potentially powerful means of deepening one’s spiritual and contemplative practice.

This is especially true when they are constructed - using the traditional tools of compass and

straightedge - in a considered and contemplative manner.

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During this week-long course, Daniel Docherty will guide participants through the construction of a number of mandalas from different traditions including mandalas that embody significant planetary patterns. We will explore their inherent symbolism and cosmic correspondences. Participants will

also make their our own inks and paints from plant and mineral in

order to colour and ensoul their designs. 

This course has been a total joy, and it has been full of spiritual and cosmic revelation. The way Daniel teaches perfectly fits the way that I learn best. He treats the material with such reverence and poetic beauty. I feel this week has opened up a path for me, and I feel it will play an important part in my life from now on. I always felt barred from the artistic world, not feeling in any way that I possessed artistic talent but this course has given me access to an artistic passion. I only wish I had been introduced to this way of understanding and practising sacred art earlier! Thank you so much. 

John Wadsworth:

PhD research student at CCCU and author of Your Zodiac Soul: Working with the Twelve Zodiac Gateways to Create Balance, Happiness & Wholeness - May 2019

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This has been a very inspiring week exploring the mandalas of the world. The special space of the studio has supported me feel into the sacredness of these forms and patterns of the cosmos. Thank you Daniel for pouring your wisdom, insight and loving energy and sharing that amazing knowledge with us. One of the highlights of the course was the natural paint and ink making ... This has made the process of constructing and painting complete. I’m very inspired to continue this wonderful work at home and I am looking forward to coming back to this special place and teacher.​

Nadeshda (Art of Yantra teacher/co-founder) Feb. 2020​​

Art and Craft of Labyrinth
with Daniel Docherty

15 - 19 November 2021

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SAOG Studios 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

10:00-17:00   Cost: £335 

Details/Bookings

Join Daniel Docherty and Sheetle Shah for this practical two-day course exploring sacred pattern and the art of henna.

On the first day of the course Daniel will give an overview of the practice and philosophy of Mandalas from various traditions.

Participants will be introduced to certain key characteristics and significant  symbolism inherent within traditional Mandalas. We will learn how to construct some of these sacred patterns using the traditional tools of compass and straightedge.

Sheetle, a henna artist with 20 years of experience with this traditional art form, will guide participants through the processes of making and preparing henna paste 'from scratch'. You will learn how to apply intricate patterns to paper, hands or feet depending on your preference! Henna is a natural pigment with remarkable staining qualities. You will learn how it is traditionally applied to hands and feet during festivals and celebrations; today, henna is also applied for ‘belly blessings’, cosmetic tattoos, semi-permanent face painting, hair dye and has developed many other creative roles.

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Alchemy of Pigment and Pattern

with David Cranswick PhD and Daniel Docherty

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 29 November - 3 Decemeber 2021 
SAOG Studios 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK
  Cost: £385  Details/bookings

'I leaned more in five days than in three years of Art at university'  June 2018 course participant

Learn the alchemy and processes involved in making your own set of watercolour and gouache paints.

The roots, berries and minerals that we will be precipitating, grinding and binding, all have

layered correspondences that link to the planetary archetypes.

Using compasses and straight-edge we will create mandalas that also resonate with the planetary patterns.

The symbolism and character of colour in different traditions will be explored as we apply our paints to patterns to reveal works of dazzling beauty to adorn the home and nourish the soul.​

Click for further details and to view images from previous

 Alchemy of Pigment and Pattern courses

'I feel on the Alchemy of Pigment and Pattern course that I was really entering into a deep organic process that was steeped in tradition and spiritually. I found it tremendously inspiring, nurturing and a deeply powerful experience - amazingly good!'  Dec. 2017 course participant

The Dance of Earth and Venus

with Daniel Docherty

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7 - 9 January 2022  

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10:00-17:00   Cost: £195  Bookings

SAOG Studios 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

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The Dance of Earth and Venus results in one of the most beautiful and breathtaking rhythms and patterns of the solar system. Every eight Earth years (13 Venus years) they dance a pentagonal form in space akin to the pip-star inside your apple or the petals of a primrose flower! During this course we will learn how to draw this incredible pattern using the traditional tools of compass and straight-edge; we will explore the key aspects of Earth and Venus' cycles that determine such extraordinary heavenly harmony.

And time allowing ... with copper leaf and watercolour paint made from malachite and azurite - which in the Hermetic/Alchemical tradition have forever been associated with the planet Venus - we will create stunning mandalas embodying the Earth/Venus dance ...

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'The dance of venus course was a mind-blowing, heart-opening experience!'

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'Thank you for a magical course where time and space merged and disappeared!

Thank you for your kindness, poetry, patience, gift of sharing the spheres, planets and other joys ... I travelled out of my comfort zone and into magical realms of remembering and letting go. I have been transported way beyond any expectations ...'

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(extr. from 2019 course participants feedback)

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Geometry of the Alhambra

with Daniel Docherty 

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 28 - 30 January 2022

10:00-17:00   Cost: £195  Book Today​​ 

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SAOG Studios 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

The Alhambra Palace complex is home to some of the finest examples of Islamic Geometric Pattern in the world. During this three-day course we will learn how to construct a number of these patterns - ranging from the simple to highly sophisticated - using the traditional geometer's tools of compass and straightedge.

This course will be led in a gentle, easy to follow, step-by-step manner, suitable for

both beginners and experienced alike.

Sacred Art of Geometry 

an introductory course

with Daniel Docherty

12, 13 February 2022

SAOG Studios 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

10:00-17:00   Cost: £130  Book Today   

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Delve into the deep mysteries of Sacred Geometry - 'Art of the Ever-True', under the gentle guidance of SAOG Studios' senior tutor Daniel Docherty. You will learn how to draw the primary four, five and six fold  'Creation' Diagrams with the traditional geometer's tools of compass and straightedge. You will be introduced to the inherent symbolism of these symmetries and how they may be developed into a myriad of pattern possibilities. The pace of this weekend course will be set with beginners in mind and there will be time to enjoy conversation and colour ... and of course tea, coffee and cake!!!

Feedback from October 2020 course

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'... beyond expectations ...'

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'What a wonderful couple of days!

Thanks so much. You hit the "beginners" note perfectly.

So much fascinating information. I really hope to be back for more ...'

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'Heartfelt philosophy that resonates with our deepest wish expressed through design, colour and skilled instruction.

Who could not feel gratitude at this sharing.'

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'Absolutely amazing and fantastic. I had a great weekend. I’ve been exploring geometry for just over a year now and this was a wonderful weekend of getting my foundation stones in a better order, sorted and a little more settled. I think it’s always good to revisit the fundamentals. I learnt so much and was reminded of a lot I had forgotten. I feel much more confident in my skills after the weekend. I’ll definitely be back to do another, it helped me put some of the pieces of the puzzle together. For me, it’s essential to remember the sacredness of these images every time I draw a pattern. It’s an adventure and an initiation into something magical and this weekend really brought that home to me. As ever Daniel, I’m truly grateful to you ... thank you so much for remaining open ... for holding the light and offering a portal to the divine for those who wish to step through it ...

It’s heaven on Earth! '

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September 2021 SAOG intro course

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"I was astounded at how wonderful the sacred geometry weekend was! I had a feeling it would be magical, but we explored far more than I had expected we would, and feel so much more excited and confident in my ability to play with elegantly simple and intricately complex shapes and patterns.

Daniel is a fantastic teacher, with whimsical humour, simple instructions for all levels, excellent baking and coffee-making skills, and so much generosity of spirit and wisdom.

The SAOG studio is warmly inviting, and exquisite with its mix of timeless beauty in the form of books, art and natural art materials, tea and snack selection and large windows with natural light streaming in throughout the day. I would be content to live in such a space.

Who knew numbers and geometry could be so much fun? This weekend has opened my eyes to the awe-inspiring designs of Life and expressions of Love in ways that I didn't know existed!"

Persian Biomorphic Patterns

with Adam Williamson​

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19, 20 February 2022

10:00-17:00   Cost: £130  Book Today​​ 

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SAOG Studios 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

We are delighted to welcome biomorphic wizard Adam Williamson back to SAOG Studios early in 2022 for this practical course exploring one of the world's most sublime biomorphic pattern traditions.

We will explore patterns from the Iranian cities of Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz before choosing one pattern to  focus on and develop into a finished piece. 

Suitable for all ability levels

Finding the Still-Point

Polarity and Paradox though Sacred Geometry and Story

with Daniel Docherty​ and Roi Gal-Or

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25 - 27 February 2022

(Friday 10am-5.30pm; Saturday 10am-5.30pm; Sunday 9am-12.30pm)

Cost: £225  Book Today​​ 

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

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Following on from our inaugural and much appreciated Summer 2021 Finding the Still-Point course we are delighted to annnounce new dates for early next year ...

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During these times of intense turmoil, confusion and division, you are invited to step into a sacred space of poise and creative potential. We will seek to deepen our understanding of the dynamics of polarity and paradox through the contemplation of Traditional Stories and exercises in Sacred Geometry. Through this endeavour we hope to cultivate our understanding of, and relationship to, the 'Still Point’ ...

Hidden Geometry Of The Ocean

with Stephanie June Ellis

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5, 6 March 2022

Cost: £130  Book Today​​ 

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

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Sharing wonder, pattern, form and function ...

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Join artist Stephanie June Ellis as she takes you on a mystical adventure down under.  

Explore geometric and biomorphic patterns derived from a variety of exquisite creatures floating in the deep blue, including diatoms, shells, urchins and sea-stars.

No artistic skills required ~ Just a curious mind!

Inks and Ochres:

An introduction to foraged colour

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with Daniel Docherty and Vija Docherty 

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18 - 20 March 2022

10:00-17:00   Cost: £225  Book Today​​ 

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SAOG Studios 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

A practical and participatory three-day introductory course for anyone wanting to develop a deeper relationship to ink and ochre. We will walk in the beautiful Ashdown Forest and High Weald Area of Outstanding  Natural Beauty; we will reverently forage minerals and materials which we will transform - through various alchemical processes - into pigment, paint and ink. These endeavours will be accompanied by exercises in contemplative pattern making and nature inspired studies in various mediums including traditional watercolour and egg tempera.

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Just wonderful !

Clarissa Grandi - Autumn 2021

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Thank you both for a weekend of gentle yet industrious interaction with many important soul feeding forces, exploration and wonder, relationships and contribution, creation and contemplation  ... Sarah Francis - Autumn 2021

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a HUGE THANK YOU for the weekend Ink and Ochres course at SAOG Studios ...

 I LOVED everything about it! It felt a real privilege to have both Daniel and Vija teaching at the same time! ... The foraging walk was fab! Making the inks and Ochres brilliant, and my favourite bit ... playing with the paint and especially the egg as the medium was absolutely wonderful.

Sara Hall - Autumn 2021

Decorative Moroccan Painting:

 The Art of 'Zouaq'

with Natasha Mann 

(http://www.natasha-mann.com)

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26, 27 March 2022

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10:00-17:00   Cost: £140  Book today

SAOG Studios

 Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

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This two-day course, led by Natasha Mann, will introduce students to the Art of Zouaq.

Zouaq is a painting technique original to Morocco which creates arresting and powerful designs.

Found painted onto ceilings, doors, furniture and wooden objects it is an integral part

of the decoration of private homes and sacred spaces in Morocco.

Students will also be given an introduction to the history of Zouaq and its different styles.

Using the traditional techniques of egg tempera painting using hand ground natural pigments from earth and minerals, participants will choose their favourite Moroccan geometric pattern to create a stunning painting to take home. Participants will have the option of bringing their own wooden box or panel to paint on; otherwise, the Studio will provide all necessaries.

Feedback from SAOG Studios' Sept. 2021 Zouaq course

... truly inspirational!

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I’m so very grateful to you for running the course. It was fabulous THANK YOU!

 I learnt so much and it's so exciting to have finally found a painting technique that offers so much flexibility in its finish and has so many applications ... so exciting I’m not sure where to start! 

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Weaving the Cosmos:

Sacred Geometry and the Art of Hexagonal Weave Basketry

with Daniel Docherty

22 April 2022

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10:00-17:00  Cost: £75  Bookings

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

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Learn the art of hexagonal-weave basketry while discovering pattern and unity in nature and many of the world’s traditional cultures. Deepen your understanding of fundamental design principles such as the Golden Ratio.

Persian Patterns 

Exploring the geometric genius of the Persian master-craftsmen

23, 24 April 2022 

Details/Bookings

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

10:00-17:00   Cost: £130

Explore the geometric genius of the Persian master-craftsmen.

Learn the art of compass and straight-edge construction and create a dazzling portfolio of geometric patterns from the Persian tradition. 

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"A brilliant course so clearly and patiently taught. Such a lovely few days and plenty to work

with after the course. Totally inspiring!" 

Patricia Gidney (UK) January 2017 Persian Patterns course participant

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My words are truly inadequate to express the way I feel about the Course, your work, your studio ... within seconds of walking through the door my eyes welled up with tears of utter heartfelt Joy so struck by the beauty, grace & feeling contained within the images that adorned the walls.

It felt like a coming home, something in me recognised something in them & it felt like coming home. 

It’s been a mind blowing & momentous 3 days of discovery, initiation & finding my way back into a world so expansive yet containing filled with love, grace, spiritual connection & beauty ... I cannot believe how much I’ve discovered not only about myself but about the universe all contained within these works each one a portal of information within which one can choose to enter or observe while constructing. Extraordinary, inspiring ... 

I truly cannot wait until I return. 

Sara Hall (UK) June 2019 SAOG Studios Persian Patterns course participant​

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The Art of Willow Basketry

'Market Baskets' with Annemarie O'Sullivan​

(https://www.annemarieosullivan.co.uk

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6 - 8 May 2022

10:00-17:00  Cost: £265  Details/Bookings 

This course is fully booked. Email us to join the waiting list.

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SAOG Studios, Emerson College,

Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK​

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Join us for three-days of Willow Weaving bliss at SAOG Studios

and weave your very own 'Market Basket' ...

Image: https://www.instagram.com/annemarieosullivanbaskets/

Art of Mughal Floral Illumination

Three-day art workshop led by Sharmina Haq 

(https://www.instagram.com/sharmina.haq)

3 - 5 June 2022

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK​​

10:00-17:00   Cost: £195 incl. materials  

Book today

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Images: Sharmina Haq

A unique three-day practical painting workshop where participants will explore and draw inspiration from the stunning floral art of Shah Jahan’s Mughal courts.

Suitable for beginners or intermediate level with an interest in pattern, art and traditional methods and materials.

Medieval Gilding

Spring/Early Summer 2022 dates tbc

With Lucie Galvani

10:00-17:00  Cost: £140  (incl. all materials)

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East) 

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

 Book today

The artwork in medieval manuscripts is called illumination partly because the gold included in the paintings around the text was bringing light to the page and thus it was illuminated. Raised gilding on manuscript gesso is one of the most used techniques for applying gold leaf on designs in medieval manuscripts. This technique gives the most shine and mirror like effect to the gold and the slight relief enables the gold to catch light coming from every direction. 

During this two days course participants will make a first small test piece and a second larger motif (around 10cm x10cm) using the technique of raised gilding and working with real gold leaf. The background will be painted with watercolours and pigments. The choice of motif is up to the participant. Examples of geometric shapes and ornate initial letters will be provided.Traditional recipes for manuscript gesso will also be covered during the course.

Special event:

Patterns of the Planets

A celebration of the Dance of Earth and Venus

and other Heavenly Harmonies 

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11-15 July 2022

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 Tom Bree, Daniel Docherty, John Martineau,

Adam Tetlow, John Wadsworth, Hartmut Warm

Book today

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

Order in Space 

Carving the Platonic Solids in Stone

A practical exploration of the five fundamental 'Platonic' forms

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with Daniel Docherty and Nicholas G. Durnan

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26 - 30 July 2022

Cost: £385 ​ Details/bookings 

Early booking recommended

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SAOG Studios/Ruskin East,

 Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

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Join Daniel Docherty and master stone-mason Nicholas G. Durnan for this week-long course where participants will learn the principles of Order in Space through a deep study and immersion in the five platonic solids. Daniel will lead the first two days where we will familiarise and befriend the forms as we draw, model and weave them in various ways and at various scales.

The focus of the Thurs/Fri/Sat sessions will be on the carving of the forms in stone. 

It is likely that particpants will be able to carve a full set of all five 'Platonic' solids.

Past course participants will be able to focus on different stone carving projects

... I had such a fabulous weekend! It was Awesome to carve The 5 Platonic Solids & I loved every minute. I have a deeper understanding of them after carving them & I feel like I’ve been initiated into something rather sacred. I’ve also discovered that I utterly adore carving stone ...
Another truly nourishing & enriching time at the SAOG Studio, I grow every time I come.
A million Thank You’s Daniel & Nick & until next time.
I’d absolutely love to carve more! Please let me know about any future plans & if I’m in the country I’ll be there!

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Sara Hall - Participant on SAOG Studios' Intro. to the Platonic Solids and Carving the Platonic Solids in Stone courses Oct. 2019

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From Genesis to Revelation:

Chartres, Story and Sacred Geometry

21 September - 2 October 2022

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East) and Chartres, France 

  Cost: £970 

Details/Bookings

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Join Daniel Docherty (SAOG Studios co-founder and senior tutor),

Roi Gal-Or (International School of Storytelling co-founder) and guests, for this inspirational course/pilgrimage. The initial six days of the course will be held at

Emerson College, UK. The culminating five/six days of the programme

will take place in and around the Cathedral of Chartres, France.

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Geometry of the Islamic World

with Daniel Docherty​

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10 - 14 October 2022

10:00-17:00   Cost: £385  Bookings

SAOG Studios (Ruskin East)

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, UK

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Good company, Fantastic Tutors (Daniel Adam and Ameet), Amazing Geometry ... life doesn’t get any better than that!

Thanks for another informative, awesome & awe inspiring course. I shall be back!

Sara Hall

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It was such fun to spend glorious days immersing ourselves in the Geometry of Islamic Design.

Daniel has a gift for helping you to see the hidden treasures behind these beautiful patterns and their significance as an art form, an expression of the Divine, and as a means to explore oneself.

Thank you Daniel for your wisdom, your beautiful Studio, and for making these teachings so valuable to us.

Vashon Sarkisian​

Come and join us on this practical journey of discovery as we travel half way around the globe to source the finest examples of Islamic Geometric Pattern; Persia, Turkey, Syria, India, and Moorish Morocco and Al-Andalus will feature in our travels. The genius of the craftsmen geometers from the Islamic Golden Age has never been surpassed; their pursuit and devotion for a unifying language embodying their Religion, Art and Science - without parallel.

The principles underlying Islamic Geometric Pattern are timeless and as relevant today as they have ever been or will be!

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'There is nothing more timely than the Timeless'  Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr

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It is deeply encouraging, in a world and culture that in the main continues to promote a fragmentary

and materialistic approach to Religion, Art and Science, that a resurgence of interest

and practice in Islamic Geometry is well under way.

This course will appeal to all lovers of Islamic Pattern, beginners and experienced alike, who would like to develop and deepen their understanding of this rich art form and the principles informing it. At the end of the course participants will have Head, Heart and Hands satisfied and in harmony!!

And a full portfolio of beautiful patterns from across the Islamic world..

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Further feedback from March 2020 course ...

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Not too many words left in my brain after this intensive course …

But it was Perfect!

Great mixture of drawing, excursion to London, tile-making etc …

I enjoyed all of it very much, very inspiring also with different teachers.

The love and passion in your presentations comes ‘’across’’ and makes all these patterns ‘’living patterns’’.

I am very much looking forward to coming to the new next course with you!!

Love and regards,

Monika

Thank you for your patience helping us construct these beautiful patterns.

I really enjoyed this week, it really helped me to quieten my mind and concentrate fully.

I felt very present (I, astral, etheric and physical body) working well together.

Dr Farah

Many thanks to Daniel, Adam, and Ameet.

I take away with me a much deepened respect, with a better understanding of Islamic Geometry.

Robin 

Wonderful, inspiring room and beautiful surroundings.

Perfect course with a good balance of theory, explanations and practical work.

Werner 

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