Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
At Al Ghadeer Emirati Crafts - established in 2006 under the vision of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, Assistant to the Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) for Women's Affairs - one can find a welcoming environment that empowers women through sustainable crafts.
This non-profit organisation combines traditional practices with contemporary designs, and provides unities resources, training, and marketing services to participants, allowing members of the community to produce handcrafted home accessories, fashion items, and more.
Though there are many crafts on offer at the centre, Al Ghadeer's pottery stands out.
Dalia Alsamadony, a pottery instructor at the organisation, explained the training process to Aletihad, stating: "We provide comprehensive training in pottery making, covering everything from spreading and cleaning the clay to creating various products like plates, cups, or even castles. We divide the trainees into groups based on the steps."
The training stage is followed by the "shaping stage", she explained, adding that this is then followed by a 5–10-day period where the clay is allowed to dry.
"Then, we proceed to the sanding stage and the first firing inside the kiln to ensure the product's strength. After that, we apply pottery colors and proceed to the second firing to achieve the final product."
Each stage requires its own notable amount of time and effort, she added. Rasha Elhadidy, pottery, drawing, and painting instructor, told Aletihad about the drawing and painting stage of the pottery, noting that all participants are provided with training to ensure that the designs are consistent.
"The colours we use are tailored to pottery, and their tones change significantly after firing. It is essential to continuously monitor and adjust to achieve the desired color tone," she said.
Common designs include patterns of overlapping colors, symbolising the desert, camels, and palm trees.
Techniques for applying the colour have been derived from extensive experimentation to determine the most suitable hues, Elhadidy explained.
"We acknowledge the cultural significance of Arabic coffee, as individuals are drawn to the shape of the cup and how it reflects their identity," she said, elaborating on the process of crafting the traditional Arabic coffee cup.
"Our designs include various motifs such as palm trees, camels, the sea, castles, and forts, all of which celebrate the heritage of the UAE."
The heritage of the UAE is expressed through pottery dishes, plates, and cups that are adorned with traditional henna designs, camels, palm trees, oryx, forts, and boats.
Alsamadony said that each piece is designed with intention, ensuring a result that is both high quality and unique.
"One of the challenges is ensuring that each piece we create is a masterpiece, rather than just a functional item. Another challenge is our constant effort to innovate and develop new products with unique ideas," she explained.
