M.F.A. Student Partners with Meadows Museum in Artmaking Workshop
Graduate student Sharmeen Uqaili hosted local high school students for an artmaking workshop in conjunction with a visit to the Museum’s “Unearthing the Legacy of Islamic Spain” exhibit.
The Meadows Museum recently collaborated with current M.F.A. student Sharmeen Uqaili to lead an artmaking workshop for visiting local high school students. One of the Museum’s exhibitions, Unearthing the Legacy of Islamic Spain, showcases geometric patterning and design, something also present in Uqaili’s work.
She draws deeply from her cultural heritage, finding inspiration in the architecture and textiles of the Islamic world and often incorporates traditional geometric patterns into her pieces. Uqaili’s pattern work even includes images drawn from the architecture of the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the Alhambra in Granada, photographs of which were featured in the exhibition.
“This partnership was made possible through the ICMA Seed Grant, but Sharmeen’s background made her an ideal collaborator,” explains Cristina Aldrich, the Center for Spain in America (CSA) Curatorial Fellow at the Meadows Museum. “Her focus on themes of spirituality and cultural identity aligns perfectly with the goals of the Discover & Design program, making her the perfect person to lead the workshop component.”
During the workshop, Uqaili and the visiting students explored the traditional technique of using a compass to create intricate geometric pattern inspired by the Islamic art collection. Over the course of the 45-minute experience, they each created a four-fold pattern featuring an eight-pointed star with Uqaili’s instruction.
“My favorite moment was when the students began to recognize the underlying structure beneath all the construction lines – it was exciting to see their appreciation for the design process,” Uqaili says of the workshop. “èƵapp has provided me with a wonderful platform to connect with people and promote my work, making my experience even more fulfilling.”
The 18 students attending the workshop and gallery visit hailed from Dallas ISD’s Sunset High School and Lassiter Early College High School, two local Title I schools. These students, all with an interest in art and art history, were selected through collaboration with local educators familiar with the program’s focus.
The hands-on aspect of the artmaking workshop encouraged the students to engage creatively, transforming what they learned while exploring the exhibition into personal expressions. This approach not only reinforces the historical knowledge they gained, but also empowers them to see themselves as part of an ongoing dialogue about cultural heritage and artistic expression.
“My hope is for experiences like these to foster a sense of belonging at the museum for the students,” says Meadows Museum’s School & Family Programs Manager Laura Mancini. “Through inquiry-based and hands-on activities such as this one, they can feel empowered to express their thoughts, ask questions, and engage with art and history on their own terms.”