Furthering its pioneering work in assisting the career development of the nation’s emerging artists and designers, with the support of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has announced the winners of the ADMAF Design Fund 2022. The award bestowed two young Emirati jewelry designers, Asma Almarri and Media Alfalasi, a 50,000 AED grant to help establish their creative careers.
In addition, they received a 5-day trip to Paris to attend courses led by, among other teachers, master craftsmen in High Jewellery creation, at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, a unique place dedicated to sharing the jewelry culture with the broadest audience. Launched in 2019, the award provides training and mentorship to help young people interested in jewelry design gain the skills they need to succeed in the industry.
Asma and Media have developed a diverse range of styles and rich craftsmanship techniques in the making of their designs. The week at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts granted them a comprehensive understanding of gemology, jewelry know-how, and the history of jewelry which can further enhance their approach to art and design.
H.E. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF said: “Since its inception nearly three decades ago, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation has nurtured the creative spirit of our nation’s youth, and with the ADMAF Design Fund Award supported by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts we continue our long-standing commitment to rewarding excellence and cultivating passion in the pursuit of knowledge and innovation in the arts. We are pleased to support talented Emirati jewelry designers Asma Almarri and Media Alfalasi whose winning work ‘Osha’ pays tribute to Emirati heritage, as they embark on an educational journey to Paris to enhance their skills, realize their dreams, and jumpstart their professional careers.”
Marie Vallanet-Delhom, President of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, commented: “L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts is proud to take Asma Almarri and Media Alfalasi under its wing and provide the guidance essential for young designers and innovators like them to become successful professionals in the field of jewelry arts. With the positive partnership with ADMAF, we strive to instill an intellectual and emotional understanding of jewelry and encourage young talent from the Middle East to scale greater heights.”
Asma Almarri expressed her happiness for the award, “I’m looking forward to learning more in-depth about jewelry design and the different interpretation of emotions jewelry could bring to a person”.
Media Alfalasi also shared her joy, “It is a priority to raise awareness about various matters through my projects. Life is an adventure, and beauty is everywhere! Function is beauty just as much as form, but combining the two is an Art. I’m excited to see how far I go in the design field.”