Come and Play at Studio Clay, Abu Dhabi

Ceramics is certainly having a ‘moment’. The once crafty art form is having a slick makeover with designer ceramic boutiques arriving in Abu Dhabi. No slicker than that of Studio Clay, perfectly placed at the top of the city and easily reached by all of Abu Dhabi. This designer boutique-style space offers participants a chance to get their hands dirty and learn new skills. 

The art scene in Abu Dhabi is still at a critical growing stage; it's evolving all the time yet the awareness of what the city currently offers is still unknown to so many, often it is word of mouth or found by accident these hidden gems are not known to the wider public. Incredible cultural hotspots have opened over the years such as the Louvre, and with many more in stages of construction. The Abu Dhabi Government has recognised the heritage, artistic and cultural needs within Abu Dhabi and with grand plans in the not-so-distant future for further greatness such as the Guggenheim and the Zayed Museum, however, so many residents still commute to Dubai for a dose of something creative and new.  

 

With that Dubai is beautifully over-saturated with incredible pottery studios, art galleries and talent. Not many places in the capital offer true creative outlets and freedom to experiment and express yourself a gap that owner and founder of Studio Clay Noura Al Dhaheri recognised. 

‘What I hope to achieve in opening my studio within Abu Dhabi is to attract a creative community that grows and supports each other. Throughout my career, I have fond memories of teachers and places that sparked creativity and love for art, my dream and hope is that Studio Clay becomes that for aspiring artists too within the capital and beyond.’

 

A covid project that turned into a business Noura went from running Studio Clay in her spare room in her home meeting clients in nearby coffee shops to opening her own stand-alone store, with employees, members, and workshops.  The serene studio is a pallet of neutral tones, rustic accents and vintage finds from Europe. 

 

“The concept of my studio developed during the pandemic. Covid adjusted our priorities and daily routines in a major way, it gave me a minute to pause and reflect on what's important and how I wanted to spend my time, hence my love for pottery had a chance to bloom. With a curated functional design, I wanted the studio to be an escape, a place where you can really relax, have fun and improve or learn a new skill.”

 

Retail balances out the artist's areas, offering customers the chance to purchase the creations made within Studio Clay. There is a glass room within the space that houses the kilns, and racks of work to be fired. Large benches and pottery wheels fill the space and offer an almost serene calmness the moment you enter. Creating that calm feeling is part of the uniqueness of the studio and was perfectly designed to have that impact upon entry. 

 Art has always had therapeutic benefits, often used in wellbeing, stress and depression treatment, working with clay takes that one step further. Neuroscientists have proven the direct health benefits and often use pottery and ceramics within their treatment plans. There is a joy that strikes once you touch clay and feel it on your skin, the possibilities of creation are endless and a connection to earth and nature help soothe the soul. Many studies have concluded the incredible physical and mental health benefits connected with pottery. It helps increase your focus; exercise imagination and lowers stress levels something that Noura has recognised and championed within Studio Clay:

 

“Art in any form is an important part of self-expression, and it's clear to me at the studio when I see the uniqueness of everyone’s work, I believe there's an artist in everyone and it a totally inclusive activity that helps in many different ways both physically and mentally.”

 

Coming from an arts education background, Noura was conscious that she wanted to target an audience like her: artists. The space is designed to be fully equipped for both the public and an artist’s studio. 

 

“My inspiration for starting Studio Clay is simple: Where would I (an artist) like to spend my day? Since it didn't exist to my full criteria, I decided to take a leap and develop it myself.”

 

There are options on how to use the space: whether it is a one-off class, a chance to build a project over several weeks or as a member, all surrounded by friendly similar minded people. Studio Clay is part of the artist's revolution happening within Abu Dhabi and takes references from artists’ studios in Europe, the slickness of Dubai and looks like something from a magazine but is a woman-owned and operated business that is raising the standards and the possibilities within the artist field. 

 

To enjoy the full range of what Studio Clay can offer you can visit their website: https://studioclay.ae

and follow them on social media: @studioclay.ae

Final Showcase from the Athath Fellowship at MiZa HQ

The Athath Fellowship: Furniture Making for Aspiring Entrepreneurs programme in partnership with MAKE and the American University of Sharjah is having a programme end showcase this March at MiZa HQ, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. 

The Athath Fellowship is a professional 15-week course aimed at training those that already have a keen interest in furniture design but were looking to expand their expertise and to progress their skillset into launching a business model. The course launched in October 2021 with 10 Fellows and led by Ammar Kalo: Furniture Designer, Architect, Associate Professor at the American University of Sharjah and winner of the silver award at the 2015 Milan Design Week.

 

With a mixture of practical fabrication time in the Makerspace studios in Al Zeina Abu Dhabi, field trips to local production sites, lectures with critically acclaimed designers and studio sessions with Ammar Kalo, the fellows are well on their way to a new career path in furniture making. 

 

This is an intensive and hands-on programme with the majority of the course requiring full in-person attendance at Makerspace Al Zeina. Makerspace has a range of tools, machinery and technology that allowed the Fellows to gain invaluable experience in professional-grade workshop equipment with the instruction and guidance from the staff. 

 

Online lectures were provided by a variety of industry professionals including Christian Andresen from Fritz Hansen, Nada Debs, Design by ROAR, Jakob Vermehren from JYSK and Farah Nasri from Irthi Council. 

 

Athath Fellowship was created to act as a creative and practical bridge to the furniture making world. The focus on providing business and entrepreneurial skills for the creative industries within the UAE was at the forefront of the Athath Fellowship’s mission. Cultivating and growing the maker community and offering Fellows the chance to develop a co-op and community they can work with, learn from, and provide support to one another. Each of the 10 Fellows has developed, designed, and created a final piece to be shown along with sketches, maquettes, and renderings. From this showcase, they will be able to take all the practical and business knowledge into launching their brand or developing their art form further. 

 “The fellowship programme is a stepping stone for young and creative individuals, like myself, who desire initial guidance and knowledge to tap into the design business community, especially within the UAE.”

Rawan Alaydaroos: Athath Fellow 2021-2022

 

The final showcase is open to the public on 6th and 7th March 2022 at MiZa HQ, Mina Zayed,  Abu Dhabi 9am-9pm and requires a 96hr PCR test.

 

You can register interest in the next Athath Fellowship programme by completing the online form via the website. For further information visit the website: www.athathfellowship.ae

 

About MiZa:

MiZa is an emerging neighbourhood tucked in the heart of Mina Zayed warehouses. An urban regeneration project that aims to curate entrepreneurial, innovative and creative output by acting as a starting point for the people of Abu Dhabi in establishing new concepts, ideas and businesses. Its inclusive and non-disciplinary approach encourages cross-pollination between businesses with an intentional juxtaposition between varying industries which, will shape the future of Mina Zayed and Abu Dhabi collectively.