​Dar al Islam Hosts Studio Tour Artists for the First Time

Image Courtesy of Marc Smith

by Karima Alavi
 
You may recall Jessica Rath’s June 7 article in the Abiquiu News about new plans being implemented by the Board of Trustees at Abiquiu’s Dar al Islam facility. The newly appointed director, Rafaat Ludin, spoke of Dar al Islam’s commitment to connecting with surrounding communities. One component of that plan was set into action recently when Dar al Islam sponsored the Abiquiu Studio Tour and hosted artists for the first time.
 
Ten artists registered to show their work during that glorious October weekend. The event was organized in large part by ceramicist Samia van Hattum who sold her stoneware and earrings, along with beaded and feather jewelry offered by Sasha Barrionuevo. Samia received accolades from participating artists not only for keeping things organized, but also for her generous hosting skills that made participants feel welcomed and taken care of. To quote Emmy Cheney, who sold micaceous pottery, everything was “beautifully done thanks to Samia.” 
 
Almost every artist who showed work at Dar al Islam had visited the site before, even if just once. In fact, painter Isaac Alarid Pease remembered his last visit to the site as part of an Abiquiu Elementary School field trip. “I had memories of a beautiful white building with corners you could whisper into and have conversations with your friends across the arch.”  
 
Photographer Gary Pikarsky, a 7-year veteran of the studio tour, said his sales this year were among some of the most successful he’s seen. He’s already making plans to show at Dar al Islam next year, calling it the best venue he has ever displayed at for the tour.
 
Over six hundred visitors listened as their tires crunched up a gravel road through the typical scenic beauty of Abiquiu before arriving at the mosque and campus. Typical that is, until they turned one corner and got a panoramic view of Plaza Blanca, rock formations made famous by another Abiquiu artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, and situated on Dar al Islam property.
 
Once inside, first-time visitors encountered the magic of sacred architecture with its domes, detailed woodwork, and a series of arches that leads one down the main hall. Add to that the fragrance of Middle Eastern dishes like kabob and spiced rice that drifted through the building like a culinary musk, cooked on-site by Rehana Archuletta, owner of Kohinoor, the Santa Fe catering business that offered visitors a mix of Mexican lunch items along with Middle East specialties that day. Rehana grew up at Dar al Islam, living with her family in one of the small homes on the property. As the only chef on-site during the studio tour, she managed to cook 175 meals that were served by her daughter and Server Extraordinaire, Hadiyyah.
 
By the end of the weekend a band of tired, but satisfied artists followed the caravan of visitors back down the hill, backlit by a sunset of yellow, orange, and purple. Another photo op for Gary.

Image Courtesy of Rafaat Ludin