Tatreez Circle

Join us for Tatreez Circle with Joanna Barakat, a gathering where makers come together to embroider meaningful motifs and connect through the shared practice of stitching.

Tatreez, the centuries-old craft of Palestinian embroidery, reflects the richness of Palestinian identity and cultural storytelling. Passed down through generations, this practice values slow, intentional stitching over fast-paced production. In this session, participants will gather as a circle of makers to work on their own tatreez pieces while exchanging knowledge, techniques, and inspiration with fellow practitioners.

This is a guided yet relaxed, peer-based session designed for participants who already have a basic understanding of tatreez. Whether you have recently begun learning the craft or have been practicing for years, the circle offers dedicated time and space to focus on your personal projects in a supportive and collaborative environment. Over time, these gatherings aim to cultivate a sustained community of makers at 421 Arts Campus, with future sessions contributing to a collective embroidery project that will be developed collaboratively and eventually showcased at 421.

Accessibility & Participation

Participants are asked to bring their own embroidery projects and supplies.

Basic knowledge of tatreez is required.

Language: English and Arabic

About the Instructor

Joanna Barakat is a Palestinian artist based in Abu Dhabi whose mixed-media practice combines painting with traditional Palestinian embroidery (tatreez). Through her work, she explores cultural identity and representation while challenging stereotypes about Palestinian culture. Born in Jerusalem and raised in Los Angeles, she later moved to London where she earned a BA from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, and an MA from SOAS, University of London. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London and the Katzen Arts Center in Washington, DC. She also leads embroidery workshops and runs The Tatreez Circle, an online platform dedicated to Palestinian embroidery.