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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Originally starting with beading, her journey expanded to pottery, driven by a desire to create a space where women could relax and connect with art. “When I worked with beads, I felt: Wow! So I thought I must learn another craft,” Al-Malki explains. That excitement led her to pottery and inspired the opening of the studio.

Terracotta Studio offers pottery workshops where women can create cups, plates, and other items, as well as paint their creations. “Painting itself is an art,” she says, emphasizing the holistic experience of creativity.

The response has exceeded her expectations, with many participants reporting improved relaxation and even better sleep. “Some people contact me later and say: ‘Ghada, I truly felt like I had the best sleep in a long time; I feel much more relaxed.’ That feeling wipes away all the exhaustion at the end of the day,” Al-Malki shared.

However, running the studio is not without challenges. “The biggest issue we face is real estate. Rental prices are high and raw materials are not available in Saudi Arabia, so they are expensive for us,” she notes. Despite these hurdles, she aims to expand the studio, especially to include activities for children.

Terracotta Studio also showcases student works through exhibitions, giving participants a platform to celebrate their creativity.

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