If you’re an artist, creative or you’re just looking for something fun to do this summer, you’re going to love this list.
Abu Dhabi is a hub for culture and creativity, so of course you can find an incredible range of art classes, activities and workshops across the city.
Here are five of the best that you should definitely try this week.
Drawing at the Museum
If you’re one of the city’s art enthusiasts, you’re surely familiar with the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This gorgeous museum is a great place to see artistic and architectural wonders. A hub for museum lovers and artists alike, the Louvre Abu Dhabi also offers weekly drawing classes. Drawing at the Museum runs on Wednesdays until Wednesday June 30, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Students will meet with the museum educator, develop their artistic side, and learn a new way of looking at art. The session starts with a 30-minute exploration of an artwork, and you are coached on how to develop your sketching skills while learning about different aspects of drawing. Learn about form and perspective from ancient ceramics, find out how to define human forms, and consider light and shade under the dome. Roam the galleries with your sketchpad and share your sketches, observations, and discoveries with the group. There are only ten spaces for each session, so you’d better book soon. Ready, set, Gogh.
Dhs57 (including museum entrance); Dhs20 (reduced price for members, youth pass, educators, and DCT staff); Saadiyat Island www.louvreabudhabi.ae/en/programmes/drawing-at-the-museum (600 56 55 66).
Experimental Stitching
Do you love to sew? Even if you’ve never picked up a needle, you should try this experimental stitching class happening at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Tuesdays. Create embroidered illustrations on unusual surfaces such as mesh and canvas while you learn all about embroidery. Each week there is a different theme, which you can explore while learning multiple stitching techniques such as the satin stitch, back stitch, running stitch, chain stitch, split stitch, and stem stitch. The class is happening on Tuesday June 22 and Tuesday June 29 from 5pm to 7pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat always has something exciting on, and with lots of workshops to choose from, exciting exhibitions, and events like Abu Dhabi Art to look forward to, it’s a space to watch. Needle-ss to say, this class seems like a great activity for artsy-types.
Dhs100, Saadiyat Island (02 657 5800).
Photography Fundamentals
Do you love snapping photos? If you see the world through the lens you should definitely check out the photography class at Cultural Foundation. For Dhs525 you’ll get a package of four photography classes to learn new techniques and perfect your skills. Classes run on Sundays from 11am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm, and Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm. You’ll gain a new awareness of camera techniques, the basics of capturing a successful photo, the aesthetics of photography, how to fix errors, and a photographic trip where you apply what you’ve learned throughout the course. The minimum age for this workshop is 16.
Dhs525 (four classes); Al Marsam Al Hor, culturalfoundation.ae/en/event/photography-course.
Shoe-making
You heard us right, there’s a class for making your own shoes from scratch happening in Abu Dhabi at Warehouse 421 being run in partnership with Makerspace Al Zeina. In the workshop, you’ll learn the process of making a pair of shoes from scratch using different materials such as foam, fabric and threads. You’ll learn hand-sewing techniques such as ladder and blanket stitching, and how to paint your own shoes. The class runs from Tuesday July 27 to Wednesday July 28 from 2pm to 5pm. It costs Dhs300.
The workshop will be delivered in two sessions. The first session starts with cutting out the template of your sizes, folding and ironing the parts, and painting your geometric pattern. The second session will have you pinning the pieces together and stitching. You’ll also create a rope-like pattern on the edge of your shoes to glue onto the base. To participate in the workshop you’ll need your own scissors, iron, and ironing board. You will also need to be older than 15.
Dhs300 (two sessions); virtual class. www.warehouse421.ae/en/whats-on.
Paint your own plate
If you’re looking for a more low-key art activity and aren’t ready to commit to a full class just yet, you should definitely try painting your own plate at Art House Café. For Dhs20 you get your own plate, paints and brushes. Let your imagination go wild and add your plate to the wall of plates that line the café’s interior, or take it home with you as a souvenir. This café is also a great place to have a coffee or snack while you read, talk about art or chill out with friends.
Dhs20, 9am-12am. Al Bateen (02 666 0175).
Looking for more great things to do in Abu Dhabi? Click here for all the latest things to do across the city.
