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Dubai, UAE, 7 February 2025: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is presenting a diverse selection of workshops and talks at the 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. The festival, taking place at the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, aims to cultivate a sustainable ecosystem that empowers talent, helping them refine their skills across artistic disciplines while strengthening Dubai’s cultural and creative industries.
Running until 9 February under the ‘Dubai Quality of Life Strategy,’ the 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival features over 450 workshops and talks covering arts, design, architecture, visual storytelling, and traditional crafts. This aligns with Dubai Culture’s commitment to enriching the city’s cultural landscape and inspiring festivalgoers to explore their creative side. A distinguished group of experts and artists will lead these sessions, ensuring participants gain valuable training and experience. Throughout the event, the houses and pavilions of Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE’s largest heritage museum, will be transformed into a vibrant hub.
‘Emerging City’ is hosting the ‘Gypsum Art’ workshop, which explores gypsum carving techniques, while the ‘Traditional Jewellery House’ offers the ‘Jewellery Making: Marriyah (Necklace)’ workshop, providing hands-on experience in crafting traditional ornaments. At the ‘People and Faith House,’ visitors can engage in the ‘Henna Stencil’ and ‘Prayer Bead Crafting’ classes, while the ‘Traditional Crafts House’ presents ‘Spindle,’ showcasing hand-weaving with traditional tools.
Creativity takes center stage at House 355 – Masterpieces, where the ‘Graffiti Art: Express Yourself with Spray Paint’ workshop teaches graffiti fundamentals under a professional artist’s guidance. ‘House 341 – Reality House’ offers ‘Doodles & AI,’ allowing participants to transform simple doodles into pieces of art using generative artificial intelligence. The ‘Glitch Art’ session allows participants to explore techniques inspired by digital distortions, unlocking new creative dimensions in digital art.
Experts from ‘Sxill Lab’ will lead workshops at House 314, including ‘Handmade Tile Making’ and ‘Cheese Board Design.’ Meanwhile, the Sikka Platform at House 326 offers a range of sustainability and innovation-themed classes, notably ‘Sustainability Now: Eco-Friendly Solutions’ and ‘Perfume Making for Adults.’ House 15 hosts modern printing sessions with Tashkeel, teaching festivalgoers ‘Hand Printing on Bags’ and ‘Riso Printing.’
At House 196 – Urban House by The Workshop DXB, singer Shilpa Ananth presents ‘Unlocking Authenticity: The Psychology of Songwriting,’ exploring the emotional and experiential influences on songwriting, helping participants refine their music composition skills. In the Merin pavilion, the ‘Letters to the City: Writing Public Spaces’ talk invites participants to write reflective messages dedicated to places in Dubai that hold personal significance.
The 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival also features a series of talks at the talent development houses and at the ‘Sikka Speaks’ corner, featuring some of the most prominent creatives in the sector discussing global trends. Highlights include ‘Creative Minds: Art Therapy for Young Explorers’ by Cali’s Escape, where art therapist Caline Boghos blends therapeutic practices with imaginative play, helping children express their feelings in a safe space and create personalized artworks.
Other notable sessions include ‘Immersive Magic: Where Art, Music, and Technology Transform Experiences,’ featuring Anna Lebedeva, Jalal Luqman, Maryam Al Obeidli, Denis Rosiev, Evgenia Romanidi, and Nicholas Mann, moderated by Elias Attallah. ‘Decoding Humour: The Art of Multicultural Comedy in Dubai’ brings together Shadi Jad and Saniya Abbas, moderated by Liz Baines. Khalil Abdulwahid and Karim Jabbari lead ‘Artistic Intervention in Satwa: Tracing Urban Nostalgia,’ while Sophie Mayuko moderates ‘Go Global! International Opportunities & Strategies for Dubai-Based Artists (Where to Start),’ featuring Sanaz Askari, Giuseppe Moscatello, and Behrang Samadzadkan.
The 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival is organized in partnership with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defense, and the Emirates Council for Rural Development.
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