Residency reinforces DCAD’s commitment to design innovation, cultural heritage, and empowering UAE-based creatives
The Design Council Abu Dhabi (DCAD) is pleased to announce the launch of its second residency cycle: the DCAD Pottery & Ceramics Design Residency Program, a pioneering initiative focused on heritage-driven product design and cross-cultural creative exchange. Developed and produced by Gushcloud International, this six-month residency is presented in partnership with Italian porcelain brand Ginori 1735 and will be hosted at the Abu Dhabi-based workshop MAKE.
Althea Lim, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Gushcloud International, said, “We are proud to facilitate this partnership and continue fostering a world-class creative ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. This residency reinforces the region’s role in global design dialogue and offers real pathways for talent to emerge on the world stage.”
Under the chairwomanship of Her Highness Shaikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al
Nahyan, DCAD continues to foster design excellence in the UAE by empowering emerging
designers through immersive educational programs rooted in sustainability, innovation, and Emirati
cultural heritage.
The governance of DCAD includes Undersecretary Rana El Khoury, Vice Chairwoman Nadine Maalouf, and advisory committee members Rym Al Falasy, Asma Al Fahim, Meera Al Suwaidi, and Rima Al Mokarrab
The new residency program will welcome 10-15 UAE nationals and UAE residents, male and female, specializing in ceramics or pottery, who will undergo training in both traditional and contemporary ceramic design techniques.
Through a curriculum that combines studio practice, sustainability, design theory, and masterclasses – including a two-hour special session led by Ginori 1735 Creative Director – participants will develop original ceramic collections inspired by regional and Italian craft traditions.
The program will culminate in a public Capstone Exhibition at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (BFAF) in October 2026, where residents will showcase their work to press, patrons, and collectors. Select top talents will also be awarded a prestigious internship opportunity at Ginori 1735’s Florence headquarters in late 2026.
This new initiative not only supports the UAE’s growing creative economy but also highlights Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for cross-cultural design dialogue. The partnership with Ginori 1735, a legacy brand known for its craftsmanship and contemporary artistry, bridges centuries-old ceramic heritage with the next generation of design leadership.
Applications and full program information are available at: www.dcad.ae
About The Design Council Abu Dhabi (DCAD)
The Design Council Abu Dhabi (DCAD) is committed to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s creative economy by fostering cross-cultural dialogue in design. Under the chairwomanship of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, DCAD’s mission is to cultivate a vibrant design culture in Abu Dhabi. We empower emerging designers and promote innovation by advocating for a dynamic design culture within the UAE. Our efforts support creative collaboration and encourage sustainable and socially responsible design practices. Through cultural exchanges and global dialogue, DCAD provides a platform for local talent to showcase their work, drive innovative solutions, and gain international exposure.
Email: info@dcad.ae | Website: www.dcad.ae | Telephone: 02 5175 965
About Ginori 1735
Ginori 1735 has been for three centuries one of the main global brands in the field of luxury and lifestyle, the expression of the Italian excellence in pure porcelain and in the design. Part of Kering Group since 2013, Ginori 1735 has always been associated with great figures of fashion, art, design, architecture, film and decor. The brand’s business activity represents a blend between heritage and innovation. It includes tableware collections, art and living objects, gifts, lamps, furnishings and fabrics, crystalware, cutlery and and hospitality projects with the Cafè Ginori concept. The iconic crown that marks the Ginori 1735 creations stands for the perfect merging of craft and art that has always been at the heart of the brand. Based in Florence, the Manifattura represents a unique place, where high-tech technology now supports a savoir-faire that is the result of centuries-old artistic craftsmanship. Ginori 1735 forwards a modern Renaissance, a rebirth and rediscovery of pleasures and art in everyday life. Today, the Ginori 1735 world is shaped by a multiplicity of voices and styles. It reinvests its legacy with the vision of the next generation of cutting-edge style masters, that bring art into everyday life and everyday life into art. Ginori 1735 counts on a distribution network which includes its Florence, Milan, Paris,
Seoul and London stores, and is present in some of the most prestigious department and speciality stores in Europe, America, the Middle East and APAC. The brand can also count on important partnerships worldwide with some of the most prestigious luxury hotel chains and among the most refined restaurants. The Maison has also its own e-commerce channel that reaches more than 30 countries globally.
About MAKE
MAKE is a welcoming community of entrepreneurs, designers, artists, DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, learners, and doers. It’s a place for young minds and old hands, where people with different levels of creative ability and making knowledge come together to make their ideas real. MAKE is part workshop, lab, studio, and garage with a wide range of professional-grade machinery, tools, and classes covering the technical, the mechanical, and the tactile elements of engineering, making, and design.
About Gushcloud International
Gushcloud International is a global creator management and licensing company powered by AI. The company connects brands and audiences through creators with proprietary tools for monetization, campaign delivery, and content licensing. Gushcloud operates across 13 markets, managing over 400 creators and 105 agents, with an expanding portfolio of monetization services across YouTube, TikTok, and emerging platforms.
