The demanding discipline of calligraphy, centering on the power of the written word and transmitted from master to pupil through the ages, is central to Islamic cultures and is the source to one of the world's richest traditions. Andalus Art was formed to preserve this amazing tradition and share with the modern world an artistic and spiritual evaluation of the art form. Although Andalus Art reflects its inspiration from all over the Muslim world, as well as various times in history, its name derives from Al-Andalus, the territory of Islamic Spain that has survived for over eight centuries. The known world would witness a Golden Age in history were wealthy multicultural cities such as Seville and Cordaba housed Muslims, Jews, and Christians, and, from the eighth century onwards, grew into Europe's focal point for arts and scholarship of the highest caliber.   Islamic art is perhaps the most accessible manifestation of a complex civilization that often seems enigmatic to outsiders. Through its brilliant use of color and its superb balance between design and form, Islamic art creates an immediate visual impact. Its strong aesthetic appeal transcends distances in time and space, as well as differences in language, culture, and creed. Islamic art not only invites a closer look but also beckons the viewer to learn more. Calligraphy is the most important and pervasive element in Islamic art. It has always been considered the noblest form of art because of its association with the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book, which is written in Arabic. This preoccupation with beautiful writing extended to all arts—including secular manuscripts; inscriptions on palaces; and those applied to metalwork, pottery, stone, glass, wood, and textiles—and to non-Arabic-speaking peoples within the Islamic commonwealth whose languages—such as Persian, Turkish, and Urdu—were written in the Arabic script. Arabic calligraphy, thus, is the art of beautiful or elegant handwriting as exhibited by the correct formation of characters, the ordering of the various parts, and harmony of proportions. In the Islamic world, calligraphy has traditionally been held in high regard. The high esteem accorded to the copying of the Qur'an, and the aesthetic energy that was devoted to it, raised Arabic calligraphy to the status of an art. Arabic calligraphy, unlike that of most cultures, influenced the style of monumental inscription. It is revered as highly as painting.