Family Sundays: Shapes, Stories and Memories 2026 in Dubai

Family Sundays: Shapes, Stories and Memories in Dubai brings a relaxed, creative day for all ages to Jameel Arts Centre on Sunday 1 November 2026. It is part of Art Jameel’s Family Sundays programme, and this edition takes its cue from Salah Elmur’s solo exhibition, Just as the Heart of a Mango is a Stone. Pack a bag, round up the little ones (and the grandparents) and head to the Jaddaf Waterfront for a few hours of making, looking and storytelling together.

Everything happens in the Lobby of the centre, and the activities are self-led and run throughout the day, so you can arrive, settle in and move between tables at your own pace. Materials and step-by-step guides are provided at every station, which means nobody needs to bring supplies or arrive with an art plan. Pre-registration is required, so sort your RSVP before you set off.

About Family Sundays: Shapes, Stories and Memories in Dubai

Family Sundays at the Jameel are designed to open up the exhibitions on show to families, and this edition is closely tied to Salah Elmur’s work. His exhibition explores storytelling, landscape, memory, identity, figures, abstraction, family and Sudanese life, and each hands-on activity picks up one of those threads. Children are not simply colouring in; they are responding to real artworks in their own way.

The highlight for many grown-ups will be the tour led by the artist himself. Salah Elmur will walk visitors through the exhibition, which gives parents and older children the chance to hear the ideas behind the work directly from the person who made it. Afterwards, the activity tables let everyone turn those ideas into something of their own.

Alongside the art activities, the Tini-preneurs Market by Maison Tini gives young makers a chance to show and sell what they have created. It is run as part of Art Jameel’s Family Sundays programme.

What to Expect

The day is a mix of one guided moment and plenty of open-ended making. Here is what the programme covers.

Artist-Led Exhibition Tour

Salah Elmur leads a tour of Just as the Heart of a Mango is a Stone, looking at how his work deals with storytelling, landscape, memory, identity, figures, abstraction, family and Sudanese life. It is a lovely way to start the visit before the children head to the tables.

Sensory Memory Box

Aimed at toddlers, this station invites the youngest visitors to explore objects and materials linked to Sudanese environments, such as cardamom pods, hibiscus, dried fruits, fishing nets and river stones. It is all about touch, smell and curiosity.

Who Are They?

Inspired by Studio Kamal, children make collages using identity-card and family photographs, then invent stories about the people in them. Expect some wonderfully imaginative backstories.

A River of Stories

Inspired by The Salt of the Earth, this collaborative activity has participants adding figures, animals, boats and plants to a painted scroll of the Nile and the Red Sea, building shared stories about communities and waterways as the day goes on.

Cubist Characters

Inspired by To Appear Otherwise, children rearrange facial features to create playful characters, exploring shape, colour and portraiture in a way that feels like a game.

Clay Witnesses

Inspired by The Witnesses/Gravestones, children shape small clay sculptures that mark a person, place, moment or story they want to remember. A thoughtful one for older kids.

Tini-preneurs Market

Run by Maison Tini, the market features young makers aged 5 to 17 selling products they have designed or made themselves, such as crafts, artwork, baked goods, jewellery and games. It is a nice chance for children to see other kids running their own little stalls.

Key Highlights

• A tour of the exhibition led by artist Salah Elmur
• Five self-led activities across art, collage, sculpture, photography and storytelling
• All materials and step-by-step guides provided
• A dedicated sensory station for toddlers
• The Tini-preneurs Market by Maison Tini, with young makers aged 5 to 17
• Suitable for all ages, with pre-registration required

The Venue: Jameel Arts Centre

Jameel Arts Centre sits on the Jaddaf Waterfront in Dubai and is home to Art Jameel’s exhibitions and public programmes. For this Family Sundays edition, the activities take place in the Lobby, while the artist-led tour takes visitors into Salah Elmur’s exhibition, Just as the Heart of a Mango is a Stone. If your family enjoys the day, it is worth taking a little extra time to look at the exhibition properly once the children have finished their creations.

Visitor Tips

• Register in advance: the event is open to all, but pre-registration is required through the RSVP link on the official event page.
• Because the activities are self-led and run all day, there is no need to arrive at the very start. Choose a time that suits naps and lunch.
• If your children are keen on the market, bring a small bag for anything they pick up from the young makers.
• Clay and collage can get a bit messy, so dress the kids in clothes you do not mind getting marked.
• Try to catch the artist-led tour if you can. Seeing the original works first makes the activities far more meaningful for older children.
• With toddlers in tow, head to the Sensory Memory Box first while they are fresh and curious.

Who It Is For

Family Sundays are suitable for all ages, from toddlers exploring textures to teenagers who might prefer the clay table or the market. It also suits grandparents and carers who want a calm, creative outing with the children. If your family enjoys museums, crafts or simply doing something together away from screens, this is a gentle and rewarding way to spend a Sunday in Dubai.

Fancy a creative Sunday with the whole family? Register for Family Sundays: Shapes, Stories and Memories at Jameel Arts Centre, then come along on 1 November 2026 ready to make, explore and share a few stories of your own.