Zawiyah
(zāwiyah ; زاوية ) - Arabic, literally; “corner, nook”
Zawiyah was born out of a need to provide young talented emerging Emirati artists a space or a “corner/nook” to create, meet, discuss, and exhibit their art.
With limited opportunities for recent art graduates, there was a need for another viable option for these artists, either directly working in Zawiyah studio spaces, exhibiting their work in the gallery, developing and offering creative workshops, establishing internship opportunities, and working on collaborative projects with local community organizations and educational institutions.
We need your financial help to see this unique and innovative
arts project realized.
What We Need:
All monies raised will go directly to paying
for the build-out costs of the studio spaces and gallery; 11 studios
spaces, 1 gallery, arts library, artists wood/metal shop, community
space for public arts related workshops/classes, and first year rental
costs. The studio rental will pay for the warehouse rental in the
subsequent years. If we don't reach our goal, the monies raised will go
to paying the rent for the space and further funds will be sought to
finish build out. The Mina warehouse area is under new development and the
goal is to hold on to the warehouse space as the demand of businesses seeking to move into this highly attractive
growth area of Abu Dhabi.
We are offering some unique perks and hopefully you will find them of value and contribute, but please remember, it is the act of supporting and giving to this project which is most important and we thank you in advance for supporting this unique project.
What this Project means to the Community:
This project will be a community arts 'center' creating a viable space for local emerging artists to work, exhibit, teach, explore, collaborate, and learn. The community outreach will be invaluable for the city and outlying areas and hopefully contribute to the new arts scene within Abu Dhabi.
Potential
With the anticipated opening of Saadiyat Island's Guggienhiem and Louvre museums, the Abu Dhabi Arts and Cultural scene is gaining international status. These museums join the Manarat Al Saadiyat cultural district and further cement Abu Dhabi as the arts and cultural center of the Middle East. Abu Dhabi will have international museums, however unlike Dubai, it still lacks smaller community based artist galleries and art venues. Zawiyah Studio & Gallery will help to fill this void, and be a complementary component to the growing arts scene in Abu Dhabi City.
Russell Hamilton, Founder
Russell Hamilton holds an MFA in sculpture from the University of
Washington, and a BA in Political Science from the
University of Minnesota.
He
has worked as a community artist in Minneapolis, East Harlem
NYC, and Detroit. With professional exhibitions in Seattle, Atlanta,
NYC, Detroit, Washington DC, Minneapolis, and Japan. He attended the
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and was a 12
month Artist-in-Resident at the Studio Museum In Harlem in NYC.
Currently he works as an Associate Professor in the College of Arts and
Creative Enterprises at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi UAE.
He
is founder and co-partner of Zawiyah Gallery & Studios.
Can't Contribute? That's OK
If you cannot help us, please share this campaign with your friends
via any format and also use the Indiegogo share tool. Thank you!
