Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Twenty shortlisted participants of the House of Artisans Design Competition have commenced an intensive training programme, where they will be introduced to traditional Emirati craft techniques and acquainted with contemporary design.
The House of Artisans, an initiative under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), stands as a commitment to the rich craft heritage of the UAE.
Sponsored by Mubadala, the House of Artisans Design Competition is a platform for emerging designers and artists from across the UAE to showcase their creative talents and reimagine traditional craftsmanship, unlocking future opportunities to advance their careers.
The announcement of the shortlisted participants and the commencement of the training programme came during an event held recently at House of Artisans.
The event kickstarted with keynote addresses by Salama Al Shamsi, Director - Culture Sites at DCT Abu Dhabi, and Ashwaq Al Hosani, Head of Art Collection at Mubadala.
They welcomed the participants and stressed the need for continuity in culture through innovative designs.
Participants were then introduced to hands-on, immersive workshops on traditional Emirati craft techniques, including Sadu, Talli and Khoos.
Conducted by local artisans, the workshops brought diverse techniques to life through practical demonstrations and much collaborative learning.
A key highlight of the event was the "Design Meets Heritage" show & Tell session, discussing the dynamic dialogue between Emirati craft and contemporary design.
The session spotlighted the creative works of designers Hajar Al Tanaji, Roudha Al Shamsi and Abdalla Almulla, offering inspiration and insight into how heritage can influence modern aesthetics.
It encouraged participants to view traditional craftsmanship through a different lens and begin opening doors to advanced career paths.
Speaking to Aletihad, Shahad Hamwi, Project Manager at the House of Artisans, said the training programme is an opportunity for both emerging and established designers to further enhance their skills.
“We launched the open call in January and received over 60 applications. From those, 20 were selected to join a three-month concept development programme, where they’re given studio space, mentorship, access to artisans, materials and facilities,” Hamwi added.
By the end of the programme, the House of Artisans will hold an exhibition and a final gala to showcase the participants’ works. A jury panel will select 10 winners based on a set of criteria, she noted.
As for the application categories, they featured product design and furniture. “We ended up with five product concepts and 15 furniture ones, which is interesting,” she said.
Hamwi also noted that they chose to keep the age range open.
“A lot of residencies are youth-focused, but we wanted that intergenerational mix, especially because they’re working directly with artisans. This is more than a competition. It’s like a residency — participants are being mentored, they attend workshops and they grow their practice,” she added.
Hamwi said that the mentors are experienced designers, who work closely with participants in a collaborative setting, guiding their development and fostering creativity across diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Hamwi noted that the competition reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision of preserving Emirati craft.
“Whether through workshops, educational programmes, or museum installations, it is all about enhancing the UAE’s arts and culture scene.”
Also speaking to Aletihad, Khulood Alawadi, a mentor at the House of Artisans Design Competition and Lecturer at NYU Abu Dhabi, expressed enthusiasm to guide participants in developing their concepts and creating final prototypes.
"One of the things that I look forward to as a mentor is pushing ideas further, developing the narrative behind the concepts, and helping participants challenge the materials, the concept and the narrative to end up with a much deeper outcome," she said.
"I’m looking forward to learning from the participants, many of whom are already amazing designers."
She values the diverse group of participants from various nationalities who are united in exploring Emirati heritage.
"It is a wonderful space for intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing us to connect with Emirati heritage in a modern way," Alawadi said.
