Tell us about your time here.
I moved to Abu Dhabi two and a half years ago from Belfast. Since then I’ve been freelancing, selling and exhibiting my work with a variety of galleries and companies.
How would you describe Design & Dine?
Design & Dine is a painting class where guests come and learn how to paint with me, whilst enjoying a delicious selection of food and refreshments, as they create their own masterpiece to take home with them!
What was the thought behind launching?
A lot of my friends had been asking me if I could teach them. This coupled with the fact that I believed Abu Dhabi would benefit from new and exciting events led me to create Design & Dine. I wanted my art lessons to be in a relaxed, fun and sociable atmosphere. I approached a hotel about hosting a small scale art class and they loved the idea. And so Design & Dine was formed. It began as a small event, but the demand led me to increase the capacity from 20 to 100 guests at each event.
Tell us about the anniversary event.
The one-year anniversary is set to be our biggest event yet. Guests will learn to paint the iconic Abu Dhabi skyline [inset]. I created this painting for the anniversary event to ensure our guests would have a meaningful artwork to take home with them. The perfect keepsake of time spent here!
We will also be holding a raffle draw and guests can win prizes including brunch for two at Cho Gao, Design & Dine tickets and premium art materials.
What plans do you have to expand?
We have now developed a variety of new strands including bookings for private classes, customised events in the comfort of your own home and corporate bookings. For those who would like to progress their painting skills further we also have Design & Dine Advanced – one-on-one art lessons, where the customer can determine what skills or area they would like to progress in.
Dhs280 (art materials, buffet, two house beverages, soft drinks), Feb 9, 7pm-11pm. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, tickets available at www.allevents.in (05 449 97290).
