The oldest, most prestigious merit scholarship program in the United States
Discovery Fund Final Report
May 2009
Imad Sabri, one of Damascus’ greatest artists, agreed to give me private lessons on Arabic calligraphy. It was a wonderful experience and I was very lucky, as he does not normally take students.
Mathanawi By Laurence Deschamps Laporte ’11
Over the classes we became friends, he took me to exhibitions and we explored the damascene art scene together. I learned so much. Not only about art, but I also practiced doing calligraphy with Arabic poetry, which helped me with my Arabic.
I had private lessons on calligraphy, where he taught me how to use new papers, traditional inks, gold sheets, oil paints. He also taught me about the classical calligraphy and his own style.
By the end of the sessions he showed me how to do cork work, which is a very unique technique that he is the first to explore on the international art scene.
I have had an amazing experience. These classes were so inspiring, and I feel I know much more, and I have improved my artistic style tremendously.
I would like to present an exhibition with calligraphy and poetry on Palestine, or the Middle-East in general, and I feel I have material and knowledge to make that project happen.
