The 13th Sikka Art and Design Festival’s open call secured multiple entries by CFAD Faculty, Students and Alumni. Festival organizers encouraged participants “to present unique ideas that reflect their perspectives and the richness of the local art scene, use environmentally friendly materials . . .”. CFAD’s creatives participated with various mediums engaging multiple senses. Dr. Thomas Stollar (Assistant Professor of Fine Arts) participated with “Clouds in My Sky” while Tor Seidel (Lecturer in Photography) collaborated with Layla Doueidi (FA ‘2024) on “Odoroasis” an interactive installation encouraging viewers to smell soaps and wax representative of various locations along the route from Sharjah to Dubai. Other alumni included Asmaa Al Ahmed (FA ‘2013) with “Folded Memory”, Mahra Alfalahi (FA ‘2018) with “Flowers from MY Country”, Alina Al Assadi (FA ‘2021) with “Defrosting What Was”, Ahed Al Kathiri (FA ‘2022) with “I Heard Longing in Jada’s Throat”, Mariam Al Khoori (FA ‘2024) with “Form and Flux”, and Hessa Alzarooni with “Kazua” (VC ‘2024). We are also proud of our fine arts students’ participation including Divyaaunshi Purohit with “Without a Voice, Grief Takes Shape in Silence”, Lameece Bouarroudj with “Untitled Still Life”, Maitha Bushelaibi with “Through the Glass, We Grew”, Rawan Mohi with “Silent Observer”, and Shahd Alblooshi with “Homeland Echoes”. Our creatives were among 250 Emirati and UAE & GCC-based creatives showcasing their work in 19 houses within Alshindagha historic district.