Overview

Join us for this year’s Bait Al Shamsi Nights, our annual community gathering at heritage house Bait Obaid Al Shamsi in Arts Square. From 9 December 2023 to 20 January 2024, explore visual arts such as block printing, drawing, painting and photography as well as sound art, creative writing and architecture.

Designed for all ages and abilities, the workshops and excursions are inspired by Sharjah Art Foundation exhibitions and/or SAF neighbourhood architecture and culture, with a focus on sustainability.

All sessions, offered in both English and Arabic, are led by professional artists and art practitioners. The activities are free, and materials are provided.

Workshops

Experiment with Block Printing
With Majid Alosh
Ages 11–15

Date: Saturday, 9 December 2023
Timings: 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Languages: English and Arabic



Learn the technique of block printing, which involves drawing a pattern and carving it on the surface of a wood block. Apply acrylic paint to the block, and experiment with printing designs on fabric.

Develop Skill in Bookbinding
With Taqwa Al Naqbi
Ages 15+

Date: Saturday, 9 December 2023
Timings: 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Languages: English and Arabic



Acquire skills in bookbinding in this hands-on workshop. Find out how you can use different materials to craft a personalised book and cover.

Communal Journalling
With Rania Jishi
Ages 15+

Date: Saturday, 9 December 2023
Timings: 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
Languages: English and Arabic



Join Rania Jishi, founder of Naqd Critique on her new venture as she launches a new concept, Serb, a monthly meetup for communal journaling for Arab creatives.

SERB is a monthly creative forum that invites Arab artistic practitioners and writers to journal and document across various types of creative media. The goal is to encourage and provide moral and intellectual support to every Arab voice with an Arab identity. We welcome writers, poets, artists, and novelists to come and learn about different methods of journaling and ways to develop them into influential works and projects that mimic our reality and archive our own history.

Explore Arab Folk Tales
Ages 6–10

Date: Saturday, 9 December 2023
Timings: 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
Language: Arabic



Immerse yourself in Arab cultures and traditions as you listen to folk stories from different eras. Discuss with other participants how you feel about the stories and what you have learned.

Registration

Registration has closed.