Islamic Art Symposium Blog

Thanks to all who made the second biennial symposium a true delight to attend.

Students of Kathleen Ferguson-Huntington completed the group project, “Water in Qatar Where We Find It” – acknowledging the theme of Rivers of Paradise and the significance of water in Islamic Culture. The exhibition can be seen toward the back of the VCUQ atrium.

The special VIP dinner last night was lots of fun, and included a nice presentation of awards to the 15 honorary fellows who are attending the Symposium.

From the left - Marcus Milwright, Catherine Asher, Mohamed al-Asad, and Perween Hasan.

Make sure you register at the Symposium to receive one of these beautiful bags.

Welcome to Rivers of Paradise: Water in Islamic Art and Culture… the second biennial Hamad Bin Khalifa Symposium on Islamic Art.

Sheila S. Blair and Jonathan M. Bloom with Dean of VCUQ Allyson Vanstone at Saturday’s press conference marking the very beginning of Rivers of Paradise at Education City in Doha, Qatar.

Sheila S. Blair and Jonathan M. Bloom have shared the Hamad Bin Khalifa Endowed Chair of Islamic Art at Virginia Commonwealth University since it was established in 2006. Experts in many aspects of the history of Islamic art and architecture, the husband-and-wife team also share the Norma Jean Calderwood University Professorship of Islamic and Asian Art at Boston College.