Young Zayed University artists and designers make valuable contributions to the creative industry in the UAE

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates- May 11, 2016: His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Her Excellency, Sheikha Lubna Bint Khaled Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance and President at Zayed University, inaugurated the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (CACE) exhibition for Zayed University senior students at Manarat Al Saadiyat yesterday (Tuesday) evening in the capital.
 
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Professor Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, Dr Marilyn Roberts, Acting Provost of Zayed University, Dr Fatima Al Darmaki, Assistant Provost for Students Affairs, Ann-Maree Reaney, Dean of CACE, other faculty members, academic administrators and students.

At the outset of the exhibition, which will run until May 28, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan and Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna made a tour at the showCACE fair, which displayed the artworks of 68 young enthusiastic students in the area of animation design, graphic design, interior design, and visual arts. They admired the creativity of Zayed University students as well as the beauty of their projects, pointing out that such design projects should be qualified for international competitions and awards.

Senior CACE projects were the fruit and the outcome of a strong research process, creative thinking, problem solving, and rigorous critique sessions with both industry guests and faculty members at Zayed University, who helped students to bring their work to a professional platform. 
 
Graphic design students focused on ideas that highlight social impact and entrepreneurial spirit, while animation design and visual arts projects were refined to showcase students’ own creative voice.

There were a variety of subjects being explored, but all were relevant to students’ environment in the areas of community development, culture and overall future of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Walter Willems, newly appointed Exhibitions Coordinator, has enabled the college to build a dynamic connection with the industry, working with faculty and students across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In this regards, CACE has expanded this year’s show to highlight some of CACE’s links to the community.

Among various senior projects displayed at Manarat Al Saadiyat was the innovative project of Jumaanah ElHashemi, a graphic design student from Zayed University in Dubai campus and winner of the 2016 Gulf Capital – Abu Dhabi  Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) Creativity Award. Her innovative, local, typographic design project ‘Degree Typeface’ blends bold aesthetics and simplicity in a way that mirrors modern Arab art and design movement.

The one-day exhibition has also seen the opening of Markers & Makers, where Zayed University celebrated some of its distinctive alumni design projects. For instance, Maha AlHammadi, Mariam Saeed AlShamsi, Maisoon AlSaleh, Maitha Demithan, Salama Nasib, and Zeinab AlHashemi.

These artists and designers have made contributions to the creative industry in the UAE and have represented the UAE in cultural events across the world. They stand as role models of achievement and excellence for our senior students and the community.
 
Ann-Maree Reaney, Dean of the CACE, said: “CACE graduates have demonstrated their exceptional level of ability and achievement by winning many awards including the Gulf Capital –ADMAF Creativity Award, Christo Award, the Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award, the Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artists Fellowship program and the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority’s Qasr al Hosn Cultural District Mosque Competition. Our intensive and rigorous art, design, new media and exhibition programs are practice based and industry-engaged. The critical and professional guidance of faculty at the CACE, underpinned by cutting-edge technology and an innovative learning environment inspire a new generation of creative thinkers and build a vibrant art and design community in the UAE.  Art and design are major contributors to a nation’s creative economy and in the establishment of a global identity, they are a country’s greatest export.”

The showCACE exhibition will also take place on May 12 at the Dubai Design District (d3) to showcase design projects of Zayed University senior students in Dubai campus.