As we approach the end of 2025, let’s recall and preserve our favourite memories from this year with an exciting Family Workshop. Join us at Jameel Arts Centre for a special Memory Jars workshop inspired by Bady Dalloul’s exhibition Self Portrait with a Cat I Don’t Have.

This engaging workshop, hosted by multidisciplinary artist and educator Sana Waqar, invites children to relive their fondest memories and use imaginative storytelling, drawing, and collage techniques to create their own personal time capsules in the form of memory jars.

Participants can fill their mason jars with small objects such as shells, pebbles, tiny toys, buttons, stamps, coins, or other items that are meaningful to their memory but small enough to fit inside the jar. They can decorate the glass with colourful marker drawings, and even write and illustrate mini-stories on paper to attach to the jar. The jar lid can be sealed with ribbons, stickers, or a tag with the participant’s name and date. Each jar will become a unique, personal keepsake — ready to be opened in the future as a beautiful reminder of treasured memories.

The workshop encourages playful exploration of Bady Dalloul’s process of repurposing everyday materials, creating minuscule narrative drawings, and working with images and text to preserve personal and collective histories. No prior experience is needed, and all materials are provided to ensure an enjoyable and creative experience.

This workshop is free to attend and is suitable for individuals and families of all ages.

About Sana Waqar

Sana Waqar is a multidisciplinary artist from Pakistan, based in Dubai. With over ten years of training and experience in textile, fashion, and visual arts, Sana has participated in numerous art and design projects and gallery exhibitions, both locally and internationally. In 2019, she graduated with an MA in Art and Design Studies from Beaconhouse National University and later joined as a Teaching Associate in the School of Visual Arts and Design.

Sana is passionate about decoding abstract imagery, mapping, data visualisation, and storytelling through colours, shapes, textures, and sounds. She has been part of the Campus Art Dubai 10.0 Programme as an Exhibitor Relations Assistant and later joined Jameel Arts Centre as a Learning Assistant. Sana has taught Patterning Practices as a visiting faculty member at BNU and is currently pursuing a specialisation in Teaching with Art from MoMA, New York. She continues to work closely with Jameel Arts Centre, designing and facilitating interactive family workshops and programmes.