Popular Dubai studio for artists with disabilities to reopen after last year’s shutdown


Ramola Talwar Badam
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  • Arabic

A much-loved art studio for young adults with disabilities that shut down last year is set to reopen in early 2022.

The decade-old Mawaheb was affected by the coronavirus pandemic and its closure in October last year disheartened the tight-knit special needs community.

The artistic studio, the name of which that means "talented" in Arabic, will move to a larger space in Dubai’s Al Quoz neighbourhood from its original home in the historic Bastakiya area of the emirate.

Our new location will be a hub for culture, innovation and talent
Wemmy de Maaker,
director of Mawaheb

“It was exactly a year ago that we had to make the most difficult decision to close Mawaheb. It has been a time of reflection ever since and now it's time to reconnect with the students, their families and our partners,” Wemmy de Maaker, director of the non-profit art studio, told The National.

“Personally, I'm very excited for the people of determination and their families and grateful that we are once again able to offer a place where they can develop their skills and reach the best of their potential.

“A place where they can make friends and integrate with others. A place that will facilitate awareness about equality, acceptance and inclusion.”

Artists with Wemmy De Maaker, the studio's founder, before it shut down. Photo: Mawaheb
Artists with Wemmy De Maaker, the studio's founder, before it shut down. Photo: Mawaheb

The new studio, which caters for students aged 18 and above, will open in GC Avenue in Al Quoz and was made possible through support from the family of a Mawaheb student.

The previous space was divided into several rooms around a courtyard, while the latest plan has bigger areas in which students can work.

It will include a 3,000-sq ft cafe, double the size of its predecessor, and a workshop where people with special needs can meet and participate in activities.

A spacious warehouse next door has been set aside for art training sessions supervised by professionals and life skills courses for young adults with disabilities.

The studio will have a lot of space for the students to work, dance and do yoga,” Ms de Maaker said.

“The cafe will get an industrial chic look, providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere for leisure and to work.”

The studio has nurtured several talented artists over the years, some of whom held solo exhibitions and earned their own workspace in art galleries in Dubai.

Vinayak Commar serves coffee at the cafe in the Mawaheb studio in the Al Fahidi district of Bur Dubai before it shut down last year. Christopher Pike / The National
Vinayak Commar serves coffee at the cafe in the Mawaheb studio in the Al Fahidi district of Bur Dubai before it shut down last year. Christopher Pike / The National

News of Mawaheb’s opening has spread fast with 15 students already signed up.

Indian artist Sharan Budhrani was delighted to learn about the reopening.

“It will be the greatest beginning to the year 2022,” said Mr Budhrani, who was this year awarded a long-term golden residency for his cultural contribution to the UAE.

“It’s a great opportunity for all of us. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Mr Budhrani has muscular dystrophy that weakens his muscles and restricts mobility. He uses remote-controlled cars, spoons and sticks to paint on large canvasses while seated in a wheelchair.

Volunteers have held online sessions to keep the community engaged over the past year but the students are looking forward to meeting old friends and learning new skills in the new studio.

“The last year has been very difficult,” Mr Budhrani said. “Seeing people online was good but it will be amazing to have a studio again.”

Ms de Maaker hoped more students would sign up to explore their talent in the studio she described as “a safe, inspiring and accessible place for people of determination”.

Al Quoz in central Dubai has been the focus of redevelopment work since the announcement of the vision for the cultural sector by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“Our new location will be a centre of this destination and a hub for culture, innovation and talent,” Ms de Maaker said.

“The creative zone aims to attract both regional and international audiences to the area and encourage artists to live, work and exhibit in the area, which is part of efforts to engage the community.

“We want to connect with society and inspire everyone to do their best.”

Renovation will start soon and the space will be ready by the end of the year in time for the opening in early 2022.

For more information contact: wemmy@mawaheb-dubai.com

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Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

Zakat definitions

Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.

Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.

Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.

Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.

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Two out of five stars 

New UK refugee system

 

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(Young Money/Cash Money)

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Wayne Rooney's career

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  • Appearances: 48
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Manchester United (2004-2017)

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  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
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Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

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Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

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Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

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Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

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Updated: October 19, 2021, 7:05 AM