Al- Mangroves | Mangroves

Rooted in Heritage, Crafted by the Community, Shared Through Art

We strive to create a more inclusive and equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to art and culture.

Workshop Journey

1

Discover

Begin with curiosity and context.

2

Learn

Understand materials and traditions.

3

Practice

Develop through making and repetition.

4

Preserve

Carry knowledge forward.

Full Course Workshops

This full course program brings together eight interconnected workshops exploring traditional and experimental ink and dye practices. Rooted in historical manuscript traditions, botanical knowledge, and material-based making, the course offers a structured journey through the preparation, behavior, and application of writing and surface materials.

Carbon Ink Workshop

Carbon ink is one of the oldest and most widely used writing and drawing materials in the world, with a history spanning cultures, geographies, and centuries. From manuscripts and calligraphy to drawing and printing, its durability and clarity have made it foundational to visual and written traditions.

Iron-Gall Ink Workshop

Iron-gall ink is one of the most historically significant writing inks, widely used in manuscripts, legal documents, and correspondence across Europe and the wider Western world. Valued for its rich tone and permanence, it has played a central role in shaping the written record for centuries.

Japanese Bookbinding Workshop

Japanese bookbinding is a traditional hand-binding method known for its structural clarity, visible stitching, and adaptability. Historically used for manuscripts, albums, and artists’ books, the technique allows for a wide range of formats while remaining accessible and durable.

Making Paper Dyes for Children Workshop

This workshop introduces children to the basics of paper dyeing using simple, plant-based materials. Through guided explanation and demonstration, participants learn how natural sources can produce color and how dyes interact with paper surfaces.

Groups:
2:30pm - 4:30pm Register Now!

4:30pm - 6:30pm Register Now!

Henna & Hibiscus Dyeing Workshop

Henna and hibiscus have long been used as natural colorants across different cultures, valued for their rich tones and organic variation. When applied to paper, these dyes create expressive surfaces that respond uniquely to writing and drawing materials.

Metal Tannate Ink with Red, Green & Blue Vitriol Workshop

Metal–tannate inks are a group of writing materials formed through the interaction of tannins and metal salts. In Persian manuscript traditions, variations of metal–tannate ink particularly those using red, green and blue vitriol—were among the most commonly used inks, valued for their tonal depth and writing qualities.

Persian Ink Workshop

Persian ink refers to a class of writing inks historically used across the Persian Empire, combining elements found in both carbon-based and iron-gall inks. These formulations were valued for their balance of density, flow, and durability, and were widely used in manuscript production, calligraphy, and scholarly writing.

Peacock Ink Workshop

Peacock ink is among the most celebrated inks used in Persian manuscript traditions, known for its richness, complexity, and layered color qualities. As a variation of Persian ink, it incorporates additional botanical and mineral ingredients that contribute to its distinctive tonal depth and visual vibrancy hence its name.

Rorschach Ink Blotting Workshop

Rorschach ink blots are best known as visual tools that invite interpretation, reflection, and open-ended response. Beyond their psychological associations, ink blots offer a powerful way to explore symmetry, chance, and material behavior through ink and paper.

Turmeric Dyeing Workshop

Turmeric is a widely used botanical dye known for its vibrant yellow tones and its responsiveness to preparation methods and paper surfaces. Historically used for coloring, marking, and surface preparation, turmeric produces a range of hues depending on concentration and treatment.

Al Mangroves Identity

Al-Mangroves is a Qatar-based social enterprise and cultural hub rooted in the values of resilience, adaptability, and regeneration. Inspired by the mangrove tree, we operate at the intersection of art, heritage, and education, creating accessible spaces for hands-on making, cultural preservation, and creative exchange.

Grounded in local heritage and open to global collaboration, Mangroves supports both emerging and established practitioners through workshops, curatorial projects, and material-based learning. We foster intergenerational and interdisciplinary dialogue, honoring tradition while engaging with contemporary practice. Through this work, Mangroves connects past and future, strengthening the role of art in shaping identity, sustainability, and community.

Our Market Place

A professional marketplace for tools, materials, and selected artworks.

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Services

At Mangroves, we offer a range of services grounded in cultural knowledge, material understanding, and responsible practice. From workshops and curation to conservation, exhibitions, auctions, and collection care, our work supports meaningful engagement with art and heritage.

Specialized Workshop

Material-based workshops for individuals, organizations, and institutions, focused on process, cultural context, and hands-on learning.

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Curatorial Services

Culturally informed curation of art, objects, and collections, guided by material understanding and narrative coherence across private and institutional contexts.

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Art Storage

Professional art storage meeting conservation standards, with controlled environments and careful handling for short- and long-term collection care.

Exhibitions

Bespoke exhibitions developed from concept to installation, presenting art and cultural material with clarity, care, and contextual integrity.