08-03-2025
UAE: Caravan covers 10,000km across nation, bringing free art workshops to residents
Have you spotted Kenaz, UAE's first mobile art caravan? On the road since January last year, the travelling art studio makes art accessible to all by offering free classes and workshops in distant and remote locations across the country.
Launched by Emirati artist and educator Ghaleya Almansoori, the caravan, equipped with a variety of art and craft supplies, is her personal initiative to give back to the community.
From quaint Al Sila, on the border of UAE and Saudi to the historic town of Qidfa in Fujairah, Kenaz has covered over 10,000km in the last one year reaching out to people of all ages, in far flung areas.
'I always wanted to spread the joy of creating art. With Kenaz I have had a remarkable journey witnessing how it became a thriving hub for cultural exchange and artistic expression. Wherever we travelled, be it to schools, colleges, communities, parks and at festivals, people flocked to the van to unravel their creativity,' Almansoori told Khaleej Times about her dream project.
Named after a camel on her father's farm in Liwa, Kenaz is a 10-metre-long caravan or trailer stocked with paints, brushes, easels, tables and chairs for children and adults to participate in art lessons outdoors as well as indoors during the hot summer months.
'While working in the community outreach programmes at an art institution in UAE I travelled to distant and rural areas in the UAE. I found that there is a lack of resources and spaces for people who are interested in art. This led me to envision Kenaz,' said Almansoori, who has a Bachelor's degree in visual arts from Zayed University and a Masters in art education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Preserving Emirati culture
Growing up in Liwa amidst the vibrant landscape of the sand dunes, her childhood was spent observing her grandmother, weaving the Al Talli, an intricate Emirati embroidery. These memories instilled in her a deep appreciation for crafts and colours.
Passionate about preserving Emirati culture, Almansoori tailored a set of workshops around traditional handicrafts and spices from the UAE. Along with painting and clay modelling, she also conducts spice art, Al Talli, Khoos weaving and Mandoos box workshops. 'At Kenaz, I am weaving in elements of Emirati heritage in my workshops to strengthen our national identity in a creative way,' she underscored.
Community engagement is at the core of this unique venture. 'I've had overwhelming positive feedback from participants, who expressed a new found confidence in their artistic abilities and felt a renewed sense of creativity,' she added.
Influencing people
In the past one year Almansoori's interactions with people strengthened her belief about the transformative power of art and the positive impact Kenaz Art Studio has on people. She recalled her first visit to the border town of Al Sila where it was rare to even find a mall. 'At first the people in the town were shy to come forward and approach the caravan. But as I stationed there for five days, they slowly opened up and attended several classes. Kids brought along their parents and elders. In the end they were so excited they wanted me to visit them again soon.'
In yet another small town in Fujairah, she shared how a young boy named Humaid came to Kenaz at a time when all the workshops were fully booked. The enthusiastic child, however, was undeterred and offered to volunteer to do any task to gain access to the classes. 'The next day when I shared this experience on social media, Humaid's school principal lauded him for his determination and ingenuity. I can never say no to people when they come for my classes,' said Almansoori.
Kenaz fans and supporters
Parked outside schools and parks, Kenaz is self-funded and operates with the help of volunteers and support from several government, private, educational, and community organisations.
Since its launch, Kenaz has also participated and partnered with several heritage festivals in the UAE. American expat Nicole Walters was at the Al Ain Date Festival recently when she found Kenaz parked outside with kids and adults engrossed in art activities. She and her teenage daughter attended a spice art workshop. 'This was the first time I've ever used turmeric, zafran, coffee and paprika to paint. Being part of this cultural mobile art studio was a memorable experience,' said Walters.
Abu Dhabi resident and Emirati Sara Al Marzouqi was walking with a bunch of her friends at the Al Marmoon Film Festival in Dubai when her eyes fell on the unique mobile art studio. 'The whole concept looked very interesting and I ended up doing a tote bag workshop. This was a new experience for me. I never knew I could create art so effortlessly. Now I'm a big fan of Kenaz and I plan to track it and follow it wherever it goes,' she shared.
