Documenting Stafford’s Hands-On Islamic Ceramics & Design Workshop
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to document a powerful moment of community, creativity, and cultural exploration in Stafford. Hosted as part of the early development of a new mosque in the area, this kick-off design workshop brought together members of the local Muslim community for a day of artistic engagement — not just to learn, but to contribute meaningfully to the shaping of a future space.
The event began with an inspiring session led by Dr. Richard McClary, who introduced participants to the rich visual language of Islamic ceramics and artefacts. His talk grounded the workshop in centuries of artistic heritage, offering insight into the patterns, symbolism, and stories carried through Islamic art across time and place.
Following that, architects and artists Shahed Salim and Moe Younes guided the group through a hands-on design workshop — the first in a series of creative sessions that will inform the visual identity of the new mosque. Rather than making tiles themselves, participants developed ideas for tile designs, drawing inspiration from traditional motifs while weaving in personal and local narratives.
It was moving to see the enthusiasm and openness in the room — young people sketching alongside elders, conversations unfolding between generations, and individuals pouring thought and emotion into their patterns and symbols. Each design felt like a small piece of a larger story — not only about Islamic heritage, but about the identity and aspirations of the Muslim community in Stafford today.
Photographing the workshop gave me a chance to witness the process up close — the moments of reflection, the joy of experimentation, the exchange of ideas. There was something special about capturing hands at work on paper, not just creating, but shaping the future character of a sacred and communal space.
This is only the beginning of what promises to be a deeply meaningful journey — not just the construction of a new mosque, but the co-creation of a space rooted in culture, memory, and belonging.
As a photographer, I’m deeply interested in continuing to document this process — and more broadly, in telling the visual stories of Muslim communities in Stafford and beyond. If you’re involved in similar initiatives or would like to collaborate on future projects, I’d love to hear from you.
