From taking a sketching class to catching a screening…

With a brand new month comes brand new events to check out, and culture vultures, we’ve rounded up plenty to keep you busy in December.

Here’s our pick of the top-art related events this month.

Exhibition: Music and Letters

This is an art show that fuses music and calligraphy. French-Iranian artist Bahman Panahi has painted musical notes as Arabic letters on more than 70 canvases. By blending his eastern and western influences, this is a fresh and cool twist on the tradition of calligraphy.

Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Calligraphy Square, Heart of Sharjah. Sun to Thur 8am to 8pm and Fri 4pm to 8pm until March 7, 2020. Dhs10 for kids. Dhs20 for adults. Tel: (06) 568 5683. sharjahmuseums.ae

Exhibition: The Rustling of the Stone

Part history lesson, part art show, this exhibition by Tunisian artist Atef Maatallah contains drawings and mosaics from the ruins of the Tunisian archaeological site Thuburbo Majus. The poetic title references the eroded stones of the ancient site and the worn-down pencils of the artist, which are both metaphors for the stories witnessed by inanimate objects.

Elmarsa Gallery, Unit 23, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai. Sun to Thur 10am to 7pm and Sat 10am to 6pm until Jan 10, 2020. Tel: (04) 3415806. galerielmarsa.com

Performance: The South


Credit: Scott Choucino

Featuring Alison Wheeler,  formerly of The Beautiful South, on vocals, The South is a full band who will perform old favourites such as A Little Time, Perfect 10 and Rotterdam, as well as new tracks. Catch this one-night-only gig for an evening of fun and nostalgia.

Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai. 8pm until December 11. Dhs95 to Dhs195. Tel: (04) 4408888. dubaiopera.com

Workshop: Adult drawing classes

Learn to draw in a studio with one-to-one guidance developing your observational skills, critiquing your creative practice and widening your art history knowledge. The class is taught by Sonia Brewin, a Royal Drawing School Alumnus.

SvenM Studio, Unit 79, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai. 11pm to 1pm or 2pm to 4pm every Saturday. Dhs 175. Tel: (050) 1335636. svenm.com

Screening: Laymoon and Hamama

Two short films, part of the Al Qattara Cinema programme, made by local directors are screened this month. Laymoon tells the story of a housewife’s attempts to restore the interest of her bad-tempered husband. Hamama is a documentary about an old Emirati healer who’s frailty is threatening her livelihood.

Al Qattara Arts Centre, Al Qattara Fort, Al Ain. 8pm to 10pm on December 13. Tel: (03) 7118225. visitabudhabi.ae

Wearable Art: Suzi Fadel Nassif

Vibrant large-scale artworks have been emblazoned onto a series of kimonos to create the ultimate fashion accessory. The kimonos are appearing in a pop-up exhibition with matching canvases entitled ‘Teatro del Alma, in collaboration with Coya restaurant.

COYA Dubai, Four Seasons Resort Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai. Until Jan 31, Tel: (04) 316 9600. coyarestaurant.ae

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Images: provided and Getty