We are happy to announce that we have a guest photographer participate in our project this month.

Toby Smith is based in Cambridge and  works internationally on photography projects concerning landscape, environment, industrial and science stories.

We are pleased to announce that at the exhibition opening on 9th March, 6pm, we will be able to listen to tales and legends from the mangroves by traditional storytellers from the Kharareef Heritage Storytellers.

Don’t miss this opportunity to listen to intriguing, entertaining and sometimes scary stories!

The Mangroves from the Water team is delighted to share another free opportunity for a fun and interesting boat trip through the mangroves in Umm Al Quwain.

Thank you again to the Umm Al Quwain Marine Club for sponsoring the event! We are very grateful for their continuous support in our quest to protect this beautiful area.

The houseboat trip can accommodate up to 40 people free of charge (including the club entry fee) and will go on a tour around the mangroves from 3-6pm.  Thursday 10th of March.

Kayak Sketching and Watercolour workshop with Zahidah Zeytoun Millie!

We are happy to announce another opportunity to go do some art in the mangroves! This is a rare opportunity for all nature lovers!

Tuesday 15th March and Saturday 19th March 8 am – 12 pm!

Please book soon as limited spots are available!

Please see the information attached to encourage our community to participate in the Children’s Mangrove Calendar Art Contest, hosted by the Mangrove Action Project, in the USA.

Join in this fantastic creative and educational competition. “It is an opportunity for the younger generation to learn about the vital role Mangroves play in the lives of coastal communities and marine life around the world whilst letting them explore their imagination and have fun when creating their pieces of art”.

Children’s Art Contest Letter (1)

Here is a preview of the Mangroves from the Water exhibition catalogue

MangrovesfromtheWater catalogue

We are pleased to announce that the Mangroves from the Water exhibition team, led by Stephanie Neville, will conduct a Mangroves Community Knitting Club workshop on Saturday 12th March, 11 am – 1 pm at Thejamjar Alserkal Avenue.

In conjunction with the exhibition Mangroves from the Water, the artists encourage community involvement to help preserve the mangroves in Umm Al Quwain.

Participants are invited to join the Mangroves Community Knitting Club, led by Stephanie Neville on Saturday 12^th March, 11am-1pm.

We’ll keep you safe (2016) is a site-specific land art project, aimed to raise awareness of the protection of the local environment. The concept is to draw participation from the local community by way of knitting individual square patches, which is to be constructed to form a large patchwork blanket. This will be installed on site at the Khor Al Baida mangroves in Umm Al Quwain, symbolizing the individual collaboration towards its preservation.

The morning will include a brief introduction to this preservation project and an explanation of the site-specific art projects by Stephanie Neville. Basic knitting techniques will be explained and the participants will knit individual patches in various styles or colours. Knitters of all skill levels are welcome; complete beginners are encouraged!

A further call is placed on the community to help with knitting 20 x 20 cm squares of wool patches. This can be started in advance, in any amount, colour or design chosen by the knitter. Crochet or other similar needle works are also welcomed! These patches are to be dropped at Thejamjar Gallery throughout the duration of the exhibition, to be assembled at the end.

Workshop Date: Saturday, 12^th March, 11 am – 1 pm.

Installation date: Saturday 26^th March, Khor Al Baida mangroves, Umm Al Quwain.

Any participants are welcome to attend/ assist.

Materials needed:

Wool and knitting needles will be provided.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own needles if they have.

Participants are requested to provide their own refreshments (A4 Space café is nearby).

We are proud, and a little sad, to announce the final exhibition opening of our touring show Mangroves from the Water.

We end this journey with a great opportunity, being the inaugural event for Thejamjar in their new space in Alserkal Avenue. The opening is held on 9th March and opened by H.E. Dr. Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

The exhibition will run until 23rd March.

Along with the exhibition, we have 2 workshops. More information will follow shortly!

We would like to share a few more photos with you from the excursions in Umm AL Quwain mangroves. The exhibition team, along with the sponsorship of the Flamingo Hotel and the Umm Al Quwain Marine Club, took members from the local community on boat trips in the mangroves for education and relaxation… and just to enjoy the natural beauty!

Photos courtesy of artist Geraldine Chansard & family

Running in conjunction with our Mangroves from the Water exhibition in Umm Al Quwain during December 2015, Zahidah arranged various activities for the community to appreciate and visit the mangroves.

The Flamingo Resort in Umm Al Quwain has been a great support of our venture and sponsored boat trips through the mangroves.

Here are a few photos of the fun day: