• New studio spaces for artists and designers to be unveiled, including the first permanent home of Nagwa, an original design studio

• Expanded monthly programming for creative practitioners and the public

• Warehouse421 to continue to provide exhibition and commercial opportunities for local and regionally relevant art and design

After two years as an active participant in Abu Dhabi’s creative ecosystem, Warehouse421 is set to further diversify its space to support and engage in a spectrum of activity related to creative learning, making, exhibiting and the selling of local and regional creations.

New Creative Production Facilities to Open
Since November 2015, Warehouse421 has been committed to showcasing the work of local and regional creative professionals and to being a place where creatives formally and informally convene.

In March 2018, Warehouse421 will now incorporate making spaces for UAE’s artists and designers:

• Nagwa Design Studio: Nagwa is an original design studio specialising in product design inspired by the people, places and stories of the United Arab Emirates. The space will serve as their commercial space and a place for designers, creatives and members of the public to engage with Nagwa designers, read in Nagwa’s library or purchase Nagwa products.
• Artist Studios: Three new spaces for artistic production within Warehouse421, will be inaugurated through a partnership with Art Dubai Residencies where three international fine artists will occupy the studios for up to eight weeks to explore their practice in the UAE. The inaugural artists in residence are Iabadiou Piko from Indonesia, Kristina Alisauskaite from Lithuania, and Faris Alosaimi from Saudi Arabia.

Faisal Al Hassan, Manager at Warehouse421, commented “Since its inception, Warehouse421 has been dedicated to supporting the creative community. The development of our space - accompanied by enhanced programming and events for our audiences - marks a significant step in our mission to provide for the evolving needs of the creative ecosystem here in the UAE. We are excited to build on the exhibitions, discussions, workshops and other events we have held here to incorporate new offerings and facilities. We know that creative people need spaces to work, think and engage with others in the field, and this fuels our drive to develop Warehouse421, both in terms of facilities and programming, to become an important hub for the UAE’s artists and designers.”

Expanded Monthly Programming
Building on the success of Wednesdays at the Warehouse, Warehouse421 will deliver an increased number of learning opportunities, activities and events for the public. An enhanced monthly programme will see activities offered throughout the week, as well as workshops and film screenings conducted with a growing list of community partners, including Nagwa Designs, Cinema Akil and the Zayed University Middle East Film Festival (ZUMEFF).

Introducing Blacksmith Coffee at Warehouse421
As the space increasingly evolves into a go-to hub for the creative community and local residents alike, Warehouse421 is adding a pop-up café of the much-loved Blacksmith Coffee to the space to celebrate culinary arts and local entrepreneurship. Families, friends, artists, designers and creative professionals gathering at Warehouse421 will benefit from the speciality coffee, roasted locally in the Mina Zayed area. The Blacksmith pop-up launches on 7 March and will be open Tuesdays-Sundays, 10am-8pm offering gourmet brews and fresh bites.

A hub for creativity and an active participant in Abu Dhabi’s creative ecosystem, Warehouse421 is dedicated to supporting learning, making, exhibition and commercial activity relevant to the local and regional creative industries.

Since November 2015, Warehouse421 has showcased the work of local and regional creative professionals and provided a place for creatives to formally and informally convene. It has hosted 11 number of exhibitions featuring more than 200 local and regional artists and designers.