Meet the lady who formed and formed the neighborhood of potters in Qatar

“I like that clay is imperfect. Its magnificence is within the imperfection.”

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SCENES highlights youth from all over the world who’re breaking obstacles and driving change. Character-driven brief movies will encourage and shock, as these younger change-makers inform their exceptional tales.

Within the coronary heart of Doha, a clay lover is shaping a thriving neighborhood of potters. Reema Abu Hassan is the artistic thoughts behind Clay Encounters, a spot for knowledgeable and novice potters to follow the artwork of pottery.

“The preliminary inspiration was to revive the artwork of pottery,” explains Reema, who has spent numerous hours shaping clay into cups, bowls, plates and different lovely objects. “I needed to protect this craft and get individuals enthusiastic about pottery once more,” she explains.

Reema says that beginning a artistic enterprise just isn’t simple. “You need to work from a spot of ardour and love for what you do,” she says.

Coming from a household of entrepreneurs, Reema considers her grandfather as a continuing supply of inspiration and encouragement.

“I by no means considered myself as an entrepreneur till my grandfather advised me which you can be an entrepreneur like me,” Reema recollects warmly.

‘Magnificence in imperfection’

Reema’s fascination with clay started whereas finding out structure at college. “What attracted me to clay is the handmade high quality and finesse that comes with it,” Reema tells Scenes. “I like that clay is imperfect, and its magnificence is in imperfection.”

What began as Reema’s private studio quickly grew to become a hub for designers and inventive individuals. Clay Encounters has two absolutely outfitted amenities and a thriving membership program. The Ceramic Heart presents courses the place aspiring potters can study every little thing from wheel throwing to hand-building strategies.

“We attempt to encourage individuals in order that they will develop the fundamental expertise from a contemporary bag of clay to a baked and completed product,” says Reema.

‘Coronary heart of the Studio’

“Over time, we’ve had hundreds of members. Proper now, there are round 100. Our members are on the coronary heart of the studio,” explains Reema.

The studio is bursting with creativity, and members like 12-year-old Jenna say they discover pleasure within the unpredictability of the supplies.

Jenna explains, “My favourite factor about working with clay is that you simply don’t actually know what the consequence will likely be till you lastly see it.”

Janna attends Clay Encounters along with her youthful sister Kenzie. The 2 siblings usually compete to see who can create one of the best piece. “The most effective factor about making pottery is that I may be free and do no matter I would like,” says Kenzie.

One other younger member, Oliver, is happy with the clayey nature of the soil.

“You can also make your personal objects, and it’s enjoyable to play with. I like the way you carve it to make plates or bowls,” says seven-year-old Oliver.

‘It requires dedication.’

Patricia is an skilled member who defined to SCENES that the first problem of working with clay is persistence. “It takes a number of time to create something. It takes a number of time to study the ability. It takes dedication.”

The Clay Encounters employees is a culturally various, one-woman staff of ten people representing 5 nationalities. Clay workshop teacher Serene says she enjoys assembly totally different studio members every single day.

“It’s very nice to see individuals coming right here and making an attempt their greatest. They specific a lot pleasure and happiness and that makes me really feel glad,” says Serene.

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Patricia describes the ceramics neighborhood at Clay Encounters as a collaborative community of artists. Patricia says, “It’s actually a really uplifting surroundings. It’s the place I am going to precise myself and be a part of a neighborhood that I do know will likely be supportive.”

‘my blissful place’

“I name it my blissful place,” says studio member Hayat. “Once you come right here, you are feeling very welcomed, and you are able to do one thing you’re keen on.”

The members of Clay Encounters drastically admire Reema and describe her as a sort, affected person and mild soul. They reward him for constructing a enterprise the place they will specific themselves. “She’s welcoming and really good and really well mannered. She’s devoted to her office,” says Hayat.

‘Educating makes me blissful’

Aside from her enterprise, Reema is a professor at Virginia Commonwealth College in Qatar. She says, “I educate within the Grasp of High quality Artwork and Design Research program. Educating is my ardour and I like doing it. Educating makes me blissful.”

Clay Encounters is a spot the place enjoyable and studying go hand in hand. Reema’s ardour for instructing pottery making has fostered a dedicated neighborhood of pottery lovers in Qatar. With the growth of his ceramic studio, the founder hopes to encourage extra individuals to take up this historic craft.

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