Şahkulu Apprenticeship Program
This 29-week course is exclusively dedicated to students of Fatma Hoca, focusing on the advanced techniques of Tezhip. This Semester, Ayse Hoca will be teaching Şahkulu students.
- Course Title: Islamic Illumination
- Course Schedule: Wednesday: 5 PM UTC (convert to local timezone)
Sep 3 – Dec 17, 2025
[Break]
Jan 7 – Feb 11, 2026
[Break]
April 1 – May 13, 2026 - Course Format: Online
- Prerequisites: Şahkulu Apprenticeship Students Only. Must have completed previous projects with Fatma Hoca
- Instructor: Ayşe Gülcan Özbalak
- Course fees:
Early bird: $749 (until June 7)
Regular: $829 (June 7 to July 30)
Late: $879 (July 30 to August 27)
TEZHIP CERTIFICATION ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS
Level 1: Intermediate Level Certification
Completion of introductory coursework and Şahkulu Apprenticeship Program with Fatma Sirajuddin Hoca. The final class is Primary Source Analysis, in which students will reproduce the fundamental Tezhip artwork of pioneering Masters. Students must complete all coursework with approval from Fatma Hoca.
Level 2: Advanced Level Certification
Completion of 1-2 years of masters-level coursework with Ayse Gulcen Ozbalak Hoca. Students must complete all coursework with approval from Ayse Hoca.
Level 3: Master Level Certification
Completion of Hilya Tezhip project. This will be designed and completed under the guidance of a Master Tezhip artist.
Classes will be conducted online using Zoom, and Whatsapp will be used for communication, sharing information, and homework.
MATERIALS LIST
ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTOR
Ayşe Gülcan Özbalak
Ayşe Gülcan Özbalak was born in Istanbul in 1966. She graduated from the Department of Arabic Language and Literature. She completed her illumination (tezhip) courses, which she began taking from Nilüfer Kurfeyz in 1986, and received a graduation certificate from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Ayşe Gülcan Özbalak was born in Istanbul in 1966. She graduated from the Department of Arabic Language and Literature. She completed her illumination (tezhip) courses, which she began taking from Nilüfer Kurfeyz in 1986, and received a graduation certificate from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Özbalak also completed illumination courses at the History and Nature Foundation and obtained a diploma by attending Nilüfer Kurfeyz’s classes at the National Palaces Chalet (Milli Saraylar Şale Köşkü).
Özbalak has taught illumination courses at various institutions and currently offers illumination education at Profil Sanat and the Istanbul Classical Arts Center. Tuğçe Özkara, Zeynep Üstün, Ayşe Balıkçı, Canan Odabaşı, and Fatma Nazlı Ulusoy are among the students trained by Özbalak.
Due to limited seating, we request that you cancel by July 15, 2025, to receive a full refund.
To apply for financial aid, fill out this form by June 1, 2025. Applications after this date will be considered case by case while funds last.
