Build up your creative side at Dubai's Traffic

The Traffic team has set up an atelier in the gallery and this month is offering a range of workshops led by professionals from the fields of fashion and design.

The laser-cutting machine from Traffic. Participants in the gallery's atelier workshops will learn how to best use the machine.

Traffic set out for a rethink earlier this year; moving away from its primary direction as an art gallery and towards community-focused learning and research activities.

Putting that plan into action over the summer, the team has set up an impressive atelier in its middle gallery space. "The Studio" not only has several workstations loaded up with sewing machines and all manner of tools, but also a CNC cutting machine and laser-cutting facility. Throughout this month, you can drop in on Traffic and take part in workshops for sharing some of these skills, led by professionals in their fields.

From Sunday to Thursday (10am to 7pm), walk-in fashion design workshops are being held, led by Lejla Redjla. The designer offers skills in using a sewing machine, making better use and shape of varying fabrics as well as installing zippers and buttonholes - a hands-on intro to the craft or the opportunity to brush up and make use of the equipment for more experienced seamsters.

On Tuesdays (5pm to 7pm) and Saturdays (3pm to 7pm), The Studio hosts classes in learning to use and make best use of the laser-cutting machine. The workshops show how to use computer software to correctly render an object that the laser will cut out of wood, acrylic, plastic, fabric, leather and paper. A valuable tool and a fine opportunity to understand how this key piece of kit can be used for all manner of creative projects.

Both the laser cutter and fashion atelier are open-use and all workshops are free to take part in, with the option of participants making a donation. For details, visit www.viatraffic.org.