Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, visited the showCACE 2025 Senior Exhibition, held at Zayed University’s College of Arts and Creative Enterprises in Dubai Design District. The event, which ran until 9 May, spotlighted graduate works in interior design, animation, graphic design, and visual arts—sectors seen as foundational to the emirate’s growing creative economy.
Accompanied by Shaima Rashed AlSuwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, Badri explored a range of projects that fused originality with cultural insight. She commended the students for presenting unique artistic perspectives that also tackled tangible societal themes. Her visit reaffirmed Dubai Culture’s role in nurturing Emirati creativity and strengthening Dubai’s status as a global hub for culture, innovation, and talent.
“This exhibition highlights how young creatives contribute to society through meaningful design,” said Badri. “Their work reflects both personal expression and national identity, while aligning with Dubai’s ambition to become a global capital for culture and creativity.”
Graduate Projects Fuse Identity, Heritage, and Modernity
The exhibition showcased a diverse array of concepts rooted in Emirati culture. Alya Alraeesi’s From, To revived the aesthetics of old Arabic book covers, while Maryam Obaid Keraif’s Adama explored the intersection between names and facial identity. Maitha Almarzooqi’s In the Meelas focused on family gatherings and storytelling in the majlis, and Roudha Fawazi Alhadhrami’s Sukoon envisioned a women-only yoga space that enhanced sensory wellness.
Other standout projects included Beyond the Self by Aysha Ali Bin Ghadayer, a study of internal human conflict, and ELASSI by Alyaza Ali Belabed, a boutique-showroom design for an Emirati fashion brand. Fatima Hussein’s Goodness offered a reflective take on daily routines and societal pressures.
Designs inspired by cultural rituals and community engagement also stood out. Khawla Ali Alraeesi’s The Emirati Dining Table celebrated traditional meals and their role in fostering familial bonds. Noora AlMheiri’s Escape Umm Al Duwais transported visitors into an immersive world based on Emirati folklore, while Shamsa Juma Alghaith’s Serenity Yoga Studio reimagined wellness in Jumeirah Bay.
Bold Concepts with Real-World Relevance
From children’s education to healthcare, the exhibition tackled practical challenges through creative design. Rouda Almarzooqi’s My Athkar in a Story made religious learning interactive for children, while Sara Mohammad Aljanahi’s Burden of Loss examined grief as a catalyst for growth. Alhanoof Alblooshi’s Our Beautiful Words revived Emirati vocabulary through handwritten cards, reconnecting people with their linguistic roots.
Health-focused projects included Afra Almuhairi’s Galini cosmetic dental clinic concept and Maryam BinOmair’s CALYX Dental Clinic design. Moza Khalid Almheiri’s Dior Villa translated luxury branding into architectural elegance, while Fatima Amir Alharmoodi’s Al Rolla Station redesigned Sharjah’s public transport signage for better accessibility.
From inclusive design concepts like Kaltham Alawadhi’s Beyond Sights—a sensory-driven activity space for people of determination—to educational games such as Aisha Sultan Al Ali’s Sugar Spark Adventure for children with diabetes, the student works addressed diverse community needs.
Designs like Lamia Albalooshi’s From Nature linked mathematics, Arabic typography, and nature, while retail-inspired ideas such as Moaza Thani AlMuheiri’s Luxury Supermarket and Maryam Abdullah Almatroshi’s redesign of Topaz Car Detailing brought sustainability and aesthetics to the forefront.
Empowering a New Generation of Cultural Leaders
The exhibition also featured projects that reflected UAE heritage and evolving identities. Concepts such as Hind Bin Masam Alfalasi’s Al Mirqab Auction Centre and Halima Albalooshi’s Visuals: Souq Naif captured the essence of traditional marketplaces. Latifa Saleh Al Shafiei explored fashion’s role in self-expression, and Mahra Hussain’s Almahra Horse Riding Booklet provided a fun and educational guide for children.
Hala Badri’s visit underscored Dubai Culture’s continued commitment to supporting youth-led innovation, reinforcing the Authority’s mission to provide an ecosystem that inspires artistic exploration and contributes to the broader goals of the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy.