Arabic music
House of Oud’s Syrian tutor describes his instrument as ‘the grandfather of the guitar’, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a doddle to play. Those with experience in axemanship will certainly have an advantage, but for musical newcomers, this 12-stringed, fretless cousin of the European lute is a surprisingly tricky beast. As well as tuition in musical theory and technique, the school also demonstrates how students can make their own oud – a skill considered as crucial to mastering the instrument as strumming and picking.
Dhs1,000 per month for three one-hour lessons a week. House of Oud, behind One to One Hotel (02 641 5699).
Photography
With modern digital cameras cramming in more buttons and dials than your average space station, it pays to know what you’re doing before you decide to get snap happy. Thankfully, with Abu Dhabi International Photographic Society running sessions at ADACH throughout the summer, you need never clog up your memory card with blurry nonsense ever again. There are basic, intermediate and advanced classes on offer, in which you’ll learn how to perk up your pics by tinkering with your aperture, shutter speed and more.
Dhs300 per month for three sessions a week. Classes take place Thursday 5pm-7pm at ADACH, Airport Road (02 657 6355).
Calligraphy
As one of the most ancient and respected disciplines of the Arab world, calligraphy has always been among the capital’s most popular artistic pursuits. And who better to learn from than Mohammed Mandi – the artist behind the calligraphic designs currently gracing the UAE’s bank notes, as well as the 99 names of Allah on the Qibla inside Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque? The master quill-smith hosts weekly sessions for adults at Al Qattara Arts Centre in Al Ain, and these are open to scribes of all experience levels.
Classes cost Dhs300 per month. Thursdays, 10am-noon (ladies), 5pm-7pm (men). Call 03 761 8080 for information and bookings.
Sculpture
Reckon you could be the next Anthony Gormley or Henry Moore? Get involved with ADACH’s courses to gain experience in a variety of different three-dimensional disciplines, from delicate, realist carvings to bolder, abstract creations. The course might be pricier than most, but at least you’ll have something nice to put on your mantelpiece once you’ve finished. Or a semi-attractive and artistic doorstop, at the very least.
Dhs500 per month. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10-noon and 6-8pm. Call 02 657 6355.
Drawing
One of the more affordable and most rewarding skills, all you need to whip up a prime piece of art is a few pencils and a sketch pad. And while a hefty helping of raw talent is also pretty useful, almost anyone can create something wall-worthy with enough practice and the right teacher. Give Al Qattara Arts Centre’s classes a go, and you could soon be throwing around words such as ‘perspective’ and ‘charcoal sketch’ as though you were Van Gogh himself (only hopefully without all the tragedy).
Al Qattara Arts Centre in Al Ain has lessons in drawing for both kids and adults. Call 03 761 8080 for information.
Fashion design
What could be more rewarding than designing your very own piece of clothing? If you want a one-off creation, but don’t want to splurge on a designer piece, ADACH is offering courses in sewing and design. Get good enough, and you could soon be sporting the season’s latest looks cut and sewn by your own fair hand.
ADACH. Call 02 657 6355 for information.
Interior design
Can’t learn good taste? Rubbish, of course you can. Taking an interior design course will help you develop your own style and ideas about choosing themes for rooms, making the most of space and natural light and, of course, matching different colours, fabrics and styles. Then you can go home and fix up your pad just the way you want it over the summer.
Dhs500 per month. National Theatre (02 657 6355).
