Hands-On Creativity for Children

Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children presents Bait Al Khazaf, a dedicated space for pottery and ceramics. Designed to inspire young artists, the workshops include pottery-making, painting, and performing arts. Children can shape clay on a wheel, decorate candles, and design costumes while learning from theatre experts. The Centre for Musical Arts leads music sessions, and families can participate in a collaborative mural.

Ceramic Art Exhibition

Curated by Kamal Al Zoubi, Head of the Pottery Department at Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, Bait Al Khazaf features works by 55 Emirati and UAE-based ceramicists. Highlights include:

• Communication and Connection by Emirati artist Shamsa Juma, reflecting her search for perfection.
• Ibahar (Sailing) by Abdulla Al Hammadi, inspired by pearl diving.
• Calligraphy Mural by Pakistani artist Adeel Umar.
• Cultural Diffusion by Australian artist Alex Rawson, exploring cross-cultural exchange.
• Oryx the Survivor by Sudanese artist Amani Badur, symbolizing resilience.

The People of Determination Exhibition showcases inspiring works by artists with disabilities, highlighting their creativity and perseverance.

Literature and Visual Arts

Dubai Public Library’s School of Life initiative offers workshops such as:

• Ruq’ah Calligraphy by Mohammed Al Tamimi.
• Doors and Wooden Carvings by Dr Saeed Abdullah Al Wail, exploring Emirati craftsmanship.
• Sikka Folktales by Magdy ElKafrawy, bringing local stories to life on canvas.

Theatre and Folktales

The World Stage Design House (House 203) hosts theatre workshops, including:

• Puppet Workshop by Jacqui George, where children create shadow puppets.
• Lighting Workshop by Youmna Aboelella, teaching stage lighting techniques.
• Costume Design by Salma Lakharouti, using recycled materials.

At Masterpieces House – House of Folklore Tales (House 355), students from the Ministry of Education’s 2024 summer camp present artworks inspired by Kharareef (local folktales), blending tradition with modern creativity.

Festival Partners

The Sikka Art & Design Festival is organized in collaboration with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, and the Emirates Council for Rural Development.

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The ‘House of Saffron’

This year’s edition introduces the ‘House of Saffron’ (House 416), a dedicated space highlighting seven saffron-inspired works. Among them, Fatima Alsuwaidi’s An Exploration Through Poetry and Traditions examines the cultural significance of saffron, while Saffron’s Prints by Mariam Bayat explores its relationship with nature. Omar Al Othman’s documentary Saffron in UAE delves into its heritage through interviews with a perfumer, a saffron vendor, and a poet.

A collective from One Third Studio—Amna Bin Bishr, Duna Al Ajlan, and Dania Al Ajlan—presents a saffron-inspired tableware collection. Meanwhile, Roudhah Al Mazrouei’s Terrain captures a UAE village landscape, and Roudha Bu Abdulla’s Saffron-Infused Emirati Dishes illustrates six traditional recipes featuring saffron. Taqwa Alnaqbi showcases Preserved Saffron, further emphasizing the spice’s cultural role.

Culinary and Musical Experiences

Visitors can enjoy saffron-inspired dishes from nine renowned chefs, including Maitha Warshaw, Arwa Lootah, and Halima Bahlooq, at the ‘Supper Club,’ where tableware and furniture reflect the warmth of the saffron flower. Additionally, 51 food stalls, such as Farmers, Midori, and Wakame, will offer a variety of cuisines.

The festival also includes over 100 live music performances featuring artists like Maryam Omran Sajwani, Rashid Waleed Al Marzouqi, and Kamal Musallam. Notable bands such as The One-Man Band, Nafas, and The Fizz Group will take the stage. Six orchestral performances will feature the Firdaus Orchestra led by A.R. Rahman, alongside ensembles like the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra and the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra by ToDA.

Art Installations and Cultural Highlights

Sikka showcases Dubai’s history through Wind Canvas, a project featuring three collaborative works inspired by maritime trade. Artists Khawla Darwish and Rashid Al Mulla created the first sail, drawing from Dubai’s Fish Roundabout, while Ghada Mehdi and German Fernandez envisioned a journey of memories. Hessa Al Awadhi and Maryam Al Ramsi crafted the third sail, merging digital and traditional art to reflect Al Shindagha’s commercial legacy.

Festival-goers can also experience Creatives on Wheels, a shadow puppetry performance by Boubaker Boukhari, Lina Younes, and Samer Arzouni. The story, inspired by Dubai Creek, follows a crocodile and a bird in a tale of unity, performed in Arabic with live music.

Supporting Local Creativity

Sikka Art 2025 features more than 50 retail stores, including From The Arabs, which preserves cultural heritage through fragrances, and Tropicfeel, a sustainable fashion brand. Other notable stores include Atuyah Studios, Creams Botanics, and Yello for Sustainable Abayas, the region’s first circular, zero-waste abaya brand.

The Ahlan W Sahlan Creative Studio will present innovative designs from brands like Clique, Elain Knit, and The Noor Creative. The festival runs until 9 February and is supported by Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, and the Emirates Council for Rural Development.

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Bringing the Past and Present Together Through Art

The Resonance installation, created by graphic designer Maryam Namvar and architect Neda Salmanpour, is an immersive and interactive art piece that invites visitors into a sensory conversation with the past and present of Al Shindagha. Curated by Munira Al Sayegh, the piece comprises three delicately suspended metal panels that move with the wind, reflect shifting light, and echo the rhythms of the creek. The installation draws inspiration from the constant movement of water, trade, architecture, languages, and communities that have long shaped life in this area. The piece’s dynamic nature highlights the cultural evolution of Al Shindagha, incorporating elements of the community’s history, while also adding a contemporary touch.

Promoting Public Art for Community Engagement

Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, stressed that public art plays an essential role in the emirate’s cultural ecosystem. He emphasized that the Dubai Public Art Strategy is a platform for artists to draw from Dubai’s rich cultural heritage and express their creative visions. “Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood stands as a witness to the evolution of Dubai into a global city,” said Dr. Bin Kharbash, highlighting the importance of the site in Dubai’s collective memory.

Maryam Namvar and Neda Salmanpour, the artists behind the installation, said, “Al Shindagha serves as a cultural and historical touchstone, and, with our artwork Resonance, we wanted to capture the emotion of being there. We aim to contribute to the ever-evolving culture and context of the city by creating a piece that will evoke thought, emotion, and conversation.”

Continuing Dubai’s Public Art Journey

Resonance is the first in a series of three Dubai Public Art projects, which will continue to bring thought-provoking art into public spaces like the Shindagha Historic District, Al Quoz Creative Zone, and Hatta. This initiative reflects Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Alserkal Arts Foundation’s ongoing commitment to nurturing artistic excellence among UAE-based artists, fostering deeper connections between the city’s creative community and its people.

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Skill-building and Personal Development

The programme will focus on professional growth, game design, programming, and creativity through a wide range of sessions. Participants can look forward to short courses on strategy development, Arabic calligraphy, Emirati dialect, and healthy nutrition tips. These workshops aim to empower individuals to develop talents and gain knowledge in diverse fields, especially for those visiting the Dubai Public Libraries.

Educational Sessions for School Students

As part of the ‘Space and Innovation’ theme, three special sessions have been designed for school students. At Al Safa Art & Design Library, the workshop ‘Mechanism of Astronomical Observation’ will introduce children to mapping stars, planets, and creating a 3D map of the galaxy using real data. ‘Game Development’ at Al Twar Library will guide kids through the basics of game design, programming principles, and coding concepts. Meanwhile, ‘Vertical Farming’ at Al Mankhool Library will offer a hands-on introduction to sustainable agriculture.

Workshops at the 13th Sikka Art and Design Festival

The 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival, held in the Al Shindagha Historic District from January 31 to February 9, will feature two additional sessions. Dr. Saeed Abdullah Al Wayel will lead a session on ‘Doors and Wooden Carvings,’ where participants can learn the traditional art of wooden door carving and explore Emirati heritage. Additionally, Ola Allouz will guide visitors through ‘Sikka Art & Design Festival: The Best Moments’, focusing on photography and how to transform everyday moments into artistic shots.

Health and Wellness Activities

The Al Safa Art & Design Library will also host wellness-focused workshops under its Wellness and Nutrition Club. Participants can enjoy a ladies-only Pilates class to improve strength and flexibility, followed by a ‘Making Healthy Dairy Products’ workshop led by Nada Saeed Kattan, teaching attendees how to prepare labneh and cheese using fresh, natural ingredients.

The library’s Art Club will offer sessions such as ‘Texture in Acrylic Painting’ by Benedicte Gimonnet, which uses acrylic mediums and basic printing techniques to create unique surfaces. ‘Drawing Characters in Traditional Art’ by Abeer Al Edani will explore character drawing inspired by cultural identities. Medaf Creative Studio will also conduct ‘Art 101: Design Your Umbrella’ and ‘Art 101: Lobster in Watercolour’ workshops.

At Al Mankhool Library, the Chess Academy will hold a series of activities, including ‘Chess Etiquette & Principles’ for kids aged six and above, focusing on respect and sportsmanship. The library will also offer ‘Effective Chess Strategies’ and a ‘Chess Hackathon’ to challenge participants with strategic and tactical thinking.

The Calligraphy Club at Al Mankhool Library will feature workshops on the Baybayin script, allowing participants to create personalized t-shirts and tote bags with this ancient script. Mohammad Altamimi will also offer workshops on Ruq’ah Calligraphy, both at Al Safa Art & Design Library and during the Sikka Art & Design Festival.

The Career Club, part of the Creative Track, will host a series of events at Al Mankhool Library and LinkedIn HQ to empower participants with skills such as creative thinking, problem-solving, persuasive communication, and networking. The STEM Club’s Impact Track will focus on scientific research and sustainable solutions, preparing participants to use AI in creating solutions for global challenges and competing in international STEM competitions.

The School of Life programme is an exceptional opportunity for the community to explore space, innovation, and creativity, offering workshops that foster personal growth, professional skills, and sustainability awareness. This series of events contributes to Dubai’s goal of providing lifelong learning and enhancing the quality of life for all.

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Murals Capturing Tradition, Identity, and Modernity

Among the 13 striking murals, notable works include:

• ‘A Heritage of Night’ by Eman Alrashdi, merging Emirati identity with a Van Gogh-inspired night sky.
• ‘Child’s Play’ by Perryhan El-Ashmawi, portraying childhood joy and creativity.
• ‘Rooted Connections’ by Karim Jabbari, blending Arabic calligraphy and poetry.
• ‘Dream Big’ by Noé Peiró, symbolizing Dubai’s rise from a fishing village to a global city.

Other murals explore urban life, nature, and cultural heritage, showcasing the depth of talent from regional and international artists.

Innovative Sculptures and Installations

Over 40+ installations redefine the landscape, including:

• ‘Shells’ by Dr Mohamed Yousif, depicting Dubai’s coastal history through stone carving.
• ‘Dubai Heart’ by Azza Al Qubaisi, exploring the UAE’s traditions and identity.
• ‘Starry Sky in Dubai’ by Liu Yang, a dynamic light sculpture inspired by celestial movements.
• ‘Moon’ by Mohamed Sahnoun, a calligraphy-adorned marble piece that shifts between full and crescent moon perspectives.

Interactive and Sustainable Art

Artworks like ‘Make-A-Friend’ by Hend Almurid, an installation allowing visitors to build their own sculptures, and ‘Renewal’ by Studio Thirteen X Nordic Homeworx, made from recycled wood, highlight the festival’s focus on community engagement and sustainability.

A Collaborative Effort

The festival is supported by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Civil Defence, ensuring a well-curated cultural experience.

With immersive art, heritage-inspired creations, and futuristic installations, Sikka 2025 cements Dubai’s position as a thriving hub for artistic innovation and cultural storytelling.

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This annual festival invites Emirati and UAE & GCC-based artists, creatives, and designers to participate by submitting their works across a variety of artistic mediums. The festival encompasses a broad spectrum of art forms, including visual arts, painting, sculpture, photography, design, murals, multimedia, and culinary arts. It also features a comprehensive program of interactive workshops, musical and cinematic performances, and a series of talks and panel discussions aimed at enhancing the local cultural scene and reflecting global art trends.

Artists interested in showcasing their work at the festival must submit their applications by October. Following this, a panel of experts and seasoned artists will review the entries and select those that best meet the festival’s criteria.

We designed the open call to engage both established and emerging talents within the UAE and GCC, whether they work independently or as part of a collaborative group. Submit original, recent works that you have not previously exhibited at other festivals or events, and use environmentally friendly materials whenever possible. Detailed submission guidelines and the application form are available on the Dubai Culture website.

The Sikka Art & Design Festival is more than just an art exhibition; it is a celebration of diverse artistic expression and innovation. It aligns with Dubai’s vision of becoming a leading global cultural hub, fostering creativity, and nurturing artistic talent. The festival not only provides a platform for showcasing creative works but also serves as a catalyst for cultural dialogue and community engagement.

Last year’s festival attracted an impressive 162,000 visitors who explored artworks displayed across 14 historic houses in Al Shindagha. With participation from over 500 artists and approximately 300 artworks, the festival offered a rich array of artistic and entertainment experiences. The success of the previous editions highlights the festival’s role in promoting cultural engagement and its growing importance in Dubai’s cultural calendar.

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