Paper mache and paintings on display catch the attention of visitors. PICTURE: Najeer Feroke

By Peter Alagos/Business Reporter

QatArt Handmade Community held its last art market at Katara’s Building 19 yesterday, before the onset of summer, and is gearing for a series of workshops from May 1 until October 2 when the market resumes again for the remaining quarter of the year.
QatArt is a community of Qatar-based artists that utilise social media, newsletters, and markets, to promote and sell their handmade products, ranging from jewellery, bags, clothing, paintings, illustrations, graphic designs, stationeries, greeting cards, craft kits, home decors, furniture and accessories, to homemade food and party supplies.
“These products are one-of-a-kind, handmade, and are not mass-produced, oftentimes with the option of customisation for a truly unique experience,” QatArt founder Dominika Bozic told Gulf Times.
The upcoming workshops scheduled every first Friday of the month will benefit regular patrons, art enthusiasts, and parents looking for creative activities for their kids this summer, she explained.
The workshops will be conducted by QatArt members from 2pm to 8pm at the three studios and a spacious workshop room provided by Katara Art Studios.
“The price for each workshop ranges from QR15 to QR150 and is payable at the door. All materials will be provided. Parallel to the workshops, QatArt members will showcase their own creations and offer items for sale,” she said.
On May 1, the available workshops are “Duct Tape Crafts” by Janiththri Perera (Workshop room); “Treasure out of trash - recycling workshop by Swapna Namboodiri (Workshop room); “Felt crafting by Jaya Elizabeth Jacob (Studio 1); “Jewellery making by Remya Swaraj (Studio 2); and “Paper quilling art (Filigree) by Shuarra Iqbal Hussain (Studio 3).
On June 5, Bozic said she will conduct a workshop on “Collage Art” (Workshop room) while Sinchai Zonputh will lead the “Paper mache money bank” session (Workshop room).
Afsheen Panwelkar will discuss “Origami” in Studio 1 and in Studio 2, Jaya Elizabeth Jacob will hold another session on “Felt Crafting,” while Liji Abdulla will be in Studio 3 for “Paper and beads.”
In July, participants will get the chance to hone their crafting skills with a repeat of two previous workshops in “Paper quilling art” (Studio 2) and “Paper mache” (Workshop room), but with the addition of “Cookie decoration with royal icing by Yanelis Garcia (Studio3).
For August, Leila Khaleeji will lead the “Card making and paper crafts” workshop at (Studio 2), while repeat sessions will be held on “Paper mache” at the Workshop room and “Cookie decoration” at Studio 3.
Greet September with a review of “Treasure out of trash” (Workshop room), “Paper Quilling art” (Studio 1), and “Cookie decoration” (Studio 3), but learn something new with “Realistic pencil drawing” by Zakkiya Hamza (Workshop room) and “Flip book animation” by Aisha al-Jaidah (Studio 2).
For the last leg of the workshops in October, repeat sessions will be available on “Origami” and “Treasure out of trash” at the Workshop room, and “Duct tape crafts” in Studio 3.
Jaya Elizabeth Jacob will be back for a session on “Hand embroidery” (Studio 1), as well as Liji Abdulla, but this time for “Jewellery design” (Studio 2).
According to Bozic, pre-registration is not required but interested parties may send an e-mail to [email protected] for additional inquiries.