Six films by Emirati female directors who graduated from the Arab Film Studio Narrative and Documentary programmes will be screened at Warehouse421.
Abu Dhabi-based arts and design centre dedicated to showcasing and nurturing creative production across the region Warehouse421 has announced its summer programme.
The summer programme is offering workshops catered for children and adolescents, a culture bus delving into the art world of Dubai and Sharjah, and free online and in-space talks for creative practitioners in the UAE. Also, a five-day summer club in partnership with Studio COE, Make, and Early Starters, and a film screening celebrating Emirati Women’s Day. Warehouse421 summer programme will run until September 30, 2022.
In celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, Warehouse421 will host a special screening of six Emirati female directors, who graduated from the Arab Film Studio Narrative and Documentary programmes. The film screening is followed by a panel discussion with two directors and an experienced Emirati filmmaker. The film screening will showcase Omnia by Amna Al Nowais; Why Is My Grandfather’s Bed in Our Living Room? By Sarah Al Hashimi; Osha’s Gift by Hind Abdullah; Mum by Mariam Al Awadhi; and Thoub by Raihana Al Hashmi.
In addition to the summer-packed activities at Warehouse421, the centre also hosts the exhibition by Jill Magi, The Weft in the Pencil and NYUAD MFA Exhibition showcasing projects and artworks of first-year MFA students at NYUAD inaugural class of 2023.
Commenting on the programme, Faisal Al Hassan, Head of Warehouse421 said: “We have a rich programme this summer for adults and children. We wanted to focus more on the art scene in the UAE, so we were keen to put together a fun programme for the cultural bus. We have also organised many workshops targeting children and adolescents to introduce them to the arts in the UAE and help them explore their abilities. Our program also includes interesting talks by artists who discuss their practice and bring together like-minded individuals. We have been keen this year to also organise events that help members of the community to get to know each other and provide them with opportunities to develop their professional skills and build their own businesses. Of course, we must not forget to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day this year by highlighting their contributions to filmmaking. We look forward to being a fun and educational destination for our friends and community this summer, especially since we are hosting two important exhibitions as well. I invite everyone to explore our summer programme and enjoy their time with us.”
Running from July 25 to August 7, in Warehouse421’s summer club children and adolescents can take an artistic dive with our Oceanic Discovery programme with Makerspace, building puppets, designing lights, and painting tote bags, or they can delve into Pottery with Studio con, working on the pottery wheel, painting on bisque, and making dolls. Lastly, they can opt to travel around the world with Early Starters, on a cultural exploration of Egypt, India, and the Levant.
Additionally, Warehouse421 prepared a summer journey to the cultural art scene of Dubai and Sharjah for its latest iteration of the culture bus. The itinerary includes Jameel Arts Centre, Maraya Art Center, Bayt AlMamzar, Alserkal Avenue, Museum of the Future, and Sharjah Arts Foundation.
Talks this season will feature three participating artists from the NYUAD MFA exhibition that will shed light on the behind-the-scenes, and insider view of their artistic practice and processes. Also, Mo Reda’s ‘A Reflection on The Outreach’, a discussion focusing on the emerging practitioners’ professional art practice, and their challenges in developing their careers. Afikra Salon launches a semi-monthly salon-style event where members of the community present on cultural and historical topics they are curious about.
Warehouse421, in partnership with creative link-up, announces a short development course geared toward people who want to start a business. The two-day workshop is headed by professionals from different industries and will discuss business ideation, graphic design and branding, entrepreneurship, and social media literacy and presence. In addition to the course, Warehouse421 and creative link-up also announces a meet and greet activity in which participants will converse with someone until a timer goes off and pairs will switch.