Join us in Abiquiu, New Mexico for a unique retreat exploring sacred and ornamental patterns, Islamic geometry, pigment foraging, and traditional adobe building. Experience hands-on workshops, sunrise hikes, live Sufi music, and creative sessions with renowned artists and instructors in a beautiful, inspiring setting.
Arrivals, Orientation, and Introduction to Patterns
Arrivals with accommodation
Arrivals with accommodation from 3:00 pm onwards at 342 County Road 155, Abiquiu, NM 87510.
Arrival without accommodation
Arrival without accommodation at 4:00 pm. Refreshments: Chai and cakes in the Courtyard.
Orientation and introductions
Orientation and introductions at 5:00 pm in the Courtyard.
Introduction to Sacred and Ornamental Pattern
Introduction to Sacred and Ornamental Pattern with Adam Williamson from 6:00 – 8:30 pm in the Classroom.
Dinner
Dinner at 8:30 pm in the Canteen.
Day 2 - Sunrise Hike, Islamic Geometry, and Adobe Building
03-Jul-2026
Sunrise Hike, Geometry Workshop, and Adobe Building
Sunrise hike into the canyon to pigment forage
Meet outside classroom at 6:30am for a sunrise hike into the canyon to pigment forage.
Breakfast
Breakfast from 8:00 – 9:00 am in the Canteen.
Introduction to Islamic Geometry
Introduction to Islamic Geometry with Samira Mian from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm (with tea break) in the Classroom.
Break for Friday prayer
1:30 pm break for those observing Friday prayer.
Lunch +plus Adobe talk
Lunch and Adobe talk at 2:00 pm in the Canteen.
Traditional Adobe Building demonstration/experience
Move to the campfire from 2:30 – 4:00 pm for a demonstration and experience of Traditional Adobe Building (East and West) with Lisa Anne White, Benyamin van Hattum, and Rafaat Ludin.
Snack
Snack at 4:30 pm.
Painting ceramic tiles and firing ceramics
Meet in the courtyard from 5:00 – 8:00 pm for painting ceramic tiles with Fabiola De la Cueva and firing ceramics at the campfire.
Dinner
Dinner at 8:00 pm in the Canteen.
Live Sufi Music
Live Sufi Music with local musicians at 8:30 pm in the Courtyard.
Day 3 - Movement Meditation, Watercolour Preparation, and Arabesque Patterns
04-Jul-2026
Meditation, Watercolour, and Pattern Workshops
Movement meditation
Meet in the mosque from 7:00 – 8:00 am for movement meditation, including simple stretching, breathing, and meditation with Stephanie Cavazos.
Breakfast
Breakfast from 8:00 – 9:00 am in the Canteen.
Reveal fired tiles from campfire
Meet by the campfire at 9:00 am to reveal fired tiles from the campfire.
Pigment and watercolour preparation
Meet in the courtyard from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm for pigment and watercolour preparation with Adam Williamson & Christopher Riederer.
Lunch
Lunch at 1:00 pm in the Canteen.
Arabesque Patterns
Arabesque Patterns workshop from 2:00 – 5:00 pm with Adam Williamson in the Classroom.
Dinner
Dinner at 6:00 pm in the Canteen.
Geometric Patterns
Geometric Patterns workshop from 7:00 – 9:30 pm with Lisa Delong in the Classroom.
Snack: Hot chocolate
Snack: Hot chocolate at 9:30 pm.
Day 4 - Movement Meditation, Patterns, and Sunset Walk
05-Jul-2026
Meditation, Pattern Workshops, and Plaza Blanca Walk
Movement meditation in nature
Depart from the classroom from 7:00 – 8:00 am (optional) for movement meditation in nature with Stephanie Cavazos.
Breakfast
Breakfast from 8:00 – 9:00 am in the Canteen.
Arabesque Patterns
Arabesque Patterns workshop from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm with Christopher Riederer.
Lunch
Lunch at 1:00 pm in the Canteen.
Polygonal Technique
Polygonal Technique workshop from 2:00 – 5:00 pm with Jay Bonner in the Classroom.
Snack
Snack in the afternoon.
Pattern painting: natural watercolour techniques
Pattern painting: natural watercolour techniques from 5:30 – 7:30 pm with Samira Mian, Adam Williamson & Christopher Riederer in the Courtyard.
Group sunset walk to Plaza Blanca
Depart from the classroom at 7:30 pm for a group sunset walk to Plaza Blanca.
Dinner
Dinner at 9:00 pm in the Canteen.
Day 5 - Breakfast and Check-out
06-Jul-2026
Final Breakfast and Departure from Retreat
Breakfast
Breakfast at 9:00 am in the Canteen.
Check-out and course ends
Check-out at 12:00 pm and course ends. All equipment is provided, but participants may bring their own materials such as compass, cartridge paper or plain sketchbook (A3 size or larger: 11.7 x 16.5 in), ruler, zero eraser, drawing pens, and paint brushes.
