Oasis Spa

Create community. #Createrefuge. Art and community go hand in hand. And for henna, that means quite literally This is our local veteran henna artist, Mama Salwa. Henna for her is so much more than an income--it's a tie that binds. Ladies from all walks of life wander into our shop, and into her hands. She listens to their stories intently as she quietly crafts away. The celebrations of new babies and new marriages. The heartaches of divorce and losses. The difficulties of... being new, of feeling lost, of job loss, of hunger. The celebrations of citizenship. The terror of the political climate. Mother of four, widowed 15 years ago soon after she moved here thinking her husband was just behind her, half her heart in Sudan and the other half in Egypt, this woman is a force to be reckoned with should anyone harm the people she loves. She also has the quietest, biggest heart that goes unnoticed day to day. Though her sons work to support her, she works to relieve them of that burden. Then she comes home and cooks tirelessly to send food out to all of her sons and their wives to try and relieve even more burdens from them. Leftovers never stay long as she ALWAYS meets someone new who could use them. She is always shopping for things she can give away to people she meets in need. She is inviting people over who are new, who have no where to go, who need a meal, a conversation. Then she stays up late into the night, checking in with family across the world, and praying. Always praying. Rarely do we see how hard women work in all facets of their life, and I wanted to take a moment to put her in the spotlight to shine, because day in and day out she is a hidden pillar of this community, one I have come to deeply respect and admire. May Allah grant her her prayer of finally making Hajj this year, and may He reward her greatly for all she does for those around her, in this life and the next. Ameen.

Get ready to beautify yourself with some henna as you shop for some beautiful flowers to take home!

Looking forward to doing some more henna artwork on all you beautiful people! Come check out all the wonderful artisans!

Why not beautify the hands as much as the face? #festivalart

Pretty things await you!

Here we go! Look for us at Atlanta Night Market!

Looking forward to doing some henna in the midst of all the good eats! who's joining us?!