The Art of Making: A Session in Textile Creation at 421 Arts Campus

There is something quietly transformative about the act of making something by hand, particularly when guided by someone who understands both the technical and the spiritual dimensions of the craft. At 421 Arts Campus, an afternoon session with Zara Peters, a maker and mender, offers precisely this kind of immersive experience in the art of bow-making.

The session unfolds with an intentional journey. Guests begin with a visit to the souq, that most authentic of Abu Dhabi spaces, where the sensory richness of fabric selection becomes the first creative act. Here, amid the textures and colours available, one begins to envision the oversized bow that will emerge through one’s own hands.

What follows is a guided exploration of construction and finishing, with Zara sharing insights drawn from her own creative practice. She offers not merely technical instruction but a deeper understanding of what it means to work with materials, to think through the hands, to invest time and care in something made simply for the pleasure of making it. The workshop emphasises this philosophy: there is no prior experience required, only a willingness to engage with process and materials.

The session concludes with a show and tell, that most human of gatherings, where participants share their creations and reflect together on what has been made. Everyone departs with their own oversized bow and a 421 Artist Kit, containing everything necessary to continue creating at home. It is an elegant recognition that the impulse to make does not end when the workshop does, but rather continues, nourished by the tools and knowledge offered.

The session takes place on November 15 from 11am to 3pm at 421 Arts Campus.