Jameel House of Traditional Arts in Jeddah Invites the Public to Attend Its Annual Exhibition of Artisanal Craft and Design

• The exhibition features the works of 14 artists and is the culmination of the one-year traditional arts programme at the Jameel House of Traditional Arts / Jeddah.‍

‍Art Jameel, an organisation that supports heritage, education and the arts, invites the public to attend an exhibition that marks the culmination of the one-year traditional arts programme at the Jameel House of Traditional Arts / Jeddah . Fourteen artists and designers are exhibiting works that draw together Jeddah’s rich history of craft, material use, and artisanal excellence, and reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the city and its place in the Islamic World. The exhibition runs until May 11, 2019, at the Jameel House of Traditional Arts in the Balad, Jeddah.

The exhibition presents new design and artworks by this year’s cohort of Jeddah-based artisans: Ammar Asif Jiman, Angham Abdulaziz Munshi, Asma Saud Alarifi, Dalia Alireza, Doaa Anas Mousa, Fathima Chinoy Arshad, Kholod Abdul-Karim Sinjab, Malak Omar Masallati, Nour Abdullah Gary, Nuha Abdullah Alamoudi, Omniah Farouk Jamjom, Rana Fahd Alsoliman, Rana Mohammed Omer Tashkandi and Sarah Abdulrahman Aljehani.

The works on display include a decorative screen made collaboratively which embodies the shared heritage of Saudi Arabian and Syrian artists; this major work blends patterns from the Umayyad Mosque with mangour and gypsum craft from Jeddah. A painting on gesso depicts traditional motifs of the ghabana (turban/shawl), representing the winter and summer journeys between Yemen and Syria, passing through Mecca, as researched by one of the artists. Other diverse works exhibited include lighting units, ceramic panels and storage boxes.

The Jameel House of Traditional Arts / Jeddah opened in 2015, and the following year launched the one-year traditional arts programme, designed and delivered by the Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London, in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts.

The programme aims to imbue participants with a deep understanding of both the principles and practical application of the traditional arts and, upon graduation, all participants are awarded a Foundation Certificate by the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. The programme sets the framework from which they can explore career opportunities in the arts, heritage conservation, architectural preservation and the creative industries. Participants are invited to join in major arts festivals in Jeddah, including exhibitions, workshops and open studios, and opportunities to volunteer at schools and in workshops for children and the local community.

2019 is a year of expansion for Art Jameel’s heritage programming in Saudi: the new Project Space Art Jameel , a creative space for collaborations with contemporary and traditional artists, designers and creatives, just opened; and following a collateral exhibition alongside the Saudi Art Council’s annual 21,39 Jeddah Arts earlier this year, the Jameel House of Traditional Arts today announces its participation in this summer’s festival in Al-Balad, organised by the Ministry of Culture. Through June-July, the new Project Space Art Jameel will host workshops focusing on traditional arts for craftspeople of all ages and experiences.

Antonia Carver, Director of Art Jameel, said: “It is fantastic to see how far the one-year programme at the Jameel House of Traditional Arts / Jeddah has come in just three years. The preservation of the heritage of Al-Balad in Jeddah is at the core of the programme, and the works that the participants have masterfully created reflect the Old Town’s rich tradition of craftsmanship and artisanal excellence”

Art Jameel built on its established Saudi programme this week with the announcement of a new educational initiative, Hayy: Learning. The programme launches with an Open Call for artists to participate in Navigating the Contemporary Art Scene, the inaugural programme, developed specifically for upcoming contemporary artists and creatives in Saudi. Further information on Navigating the Contemporary Art Scene is

The Jameel House of Traditional Art/ Jeddah exhibition is free and open to all, located behind Al Mimar Mosque, off Al-Dahab Street, in Jeddah historic district. Opening hours are 10am-1pm and 5-9pm. Additional information is here.

Art Jameel, an organisation that supports heritage, education and the arts, invites the public to attend an exhibition that marks the culmination of the one-year traditional arts programme at the Jameel House of Traditional Arts / Jeddah.

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