Yadawei Ceramic Studio
POTTERY
Unleash your inner artist at Yadawei, a cool pottery studio in Al Quoz. It’s the perfect place to leave the outside world behind and get creative. You can take part in a workshop or course, or simply sign up for a membership that allows you open access to the studio. You’ll learn all about throwing a pot, glazing a vase, firing up the kiln and more.
yadawei.net
ART The Jam Jar
For 12 years The Jam Jar has been getting creative juices flowing. The studio recently moved into their new and improved home in Alserkal Avenue where it’s bringing Dubai’s creative contingent together with their series of art workshops. Adults and children alike can try their hand at a variety of courses, from learning the basics of watercolours, abstract painting techniques, using acrylics and how to master flowers.
ART We Love Art
Dubai resident, artist and model Denise Schmitz loves art. So much so that she set up We Love Art, an open art community that offers short beginner courses, one-day workshops and, (our favourite) Paint & Grape classes. These twice-monthly classes give people the chance to re-create a famous masterpiece – think Dali’s The Persistence Of Memory or Van Gogh’s Sunflowers – while sipping on drinks. It’s not quite paint-by-numbers, but the pre-sketched canvas makes it a beginner-friendly way to put brush to canvas.
weloveart.ae
FILM The Scene Club
From Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja, The Scene Club has been bringing independent, international and uncensored films to Dubai for almost a decade. From a Kiwi vampire ‘mockumentary’ to local Arabic indie dramas, the monthly showings are a mixed bag and have always impressed at film festivals. The club recently went private, (annual memberships start at Dhs260), which means they’ve taken things up a notch with screening at VOX cinemas and special food and film nights.
The Courtyard Playhouse
Budding thesbians in the city needn’t look further than The Courtyard Playhouse, Dubai’s own dedicated theatre space with a 58-seater auditorium. With a packed calendar of events, including its popular Desert Monologues workshops, improv classes, National Theatre Live screenings, and full-blown productions, the founders have nurtured the theatre community to offer excellent classes for all levels.