The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Manarat Al Saadiyat has launched a new state-of-the-art Photography Studio that aims to enhance the photography scene and foster talent within the emirate’s photography community.
The Photography Studio was officially opened in the presence of HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi.
The brand new Studio is designed to support and inspire the emirate’s photographers, in line with Manarat Al Saadiyat’s mission to foster a thriving creative community in Abu Dhabi that engages residents and tourists and highlights the Emirate’s rich cultural diversity and historic heritage. The studio will also host a vibrant annual programme which will include exhibitions, workshops and master classes.
Based at Manarat Al Saadiyat, in Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District, the Photography Studio now offers an essential platform for photography enthusiasts, professionals and artists to improve their skills, expose them to new techniques and the latest approaches in the field, and assist them in maintaining a steady and professional growth of their talent. The facilities will include a studio available for rent, a large workspace including a makeup room and dressing room, and digital lab.
The studio will also be introducing a public programme consisting of year-round calendar of activities, workshops, public talks, photography expeditions with the community, portfolio review sessions, exclusive one-to-one courses and community-driven photography exhibitions.
An exciting and engaging array of workshops and master classes led by regionally and internationally established photographers will include studio lighting, smartphone photography, videography, photo editing, black and white photography, photography for all levels, city-scape photography, still-life photography, fine art photography and food photography, amongst others.
Emirati Solo Exhibition
Along with the launch of the studio, Manarat Al Saadiyat has launched a solo exhibition displaying the works of Emirati photographer Jassim Al Awadhi. Open to the public to view until November 3rd, the exhibition explores Al Awadhi’s work as a pioneering photographer in the UAE. The opening was accompanied by a public talk led by Al Awadhi, who discussed his career in photography.
About Manarat Al Saadiyat
Manarat Al Saadiyat opened in 2009 as the first multi-disciplinary creative space on Saadiyat Island, offering the community a creative platform where they could engage with exhibitions, events and immersive creative experiences.
Set in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Cultural District, the venue has been the central location for its annual anchor event, Abu Dhabi Art, which has been held at Manarat Al Saadiyat since its inception. In 2017, the newly renovated Manarat Al Saadiyat launched a new public programme reflecting the growing public interest in the culture of the Emirate. The refurbished space and its diverse programme of activities offer a vibrant and interactive platform for the community to engage with a variety of artistic activities that bring the vision of Saadiyat Island to life. With an ongoing programme of daily workshops, classes, activities and events, Manarat Al Saadiyat now includes an Art Studio specifically designed to engage visitors of all ages in a variety of creative activities, a Photography Studio offering the highest levels of technical expertise, The Terrace, an outdoor area, providing the perfect space to host a multitude of events, and a 250-seat auditorium and three gallery spaces for temporary exhibitions. The new café and brasserie, Larte, offers a modern interpretation on northern Italian and European classics.
For more information on Manarat Al Saadiyat and its extensive programming, visit their website www.manaratalsaadiyat.ae or visit their social pages.
The venue is open daily from 8am until 9pm.
