![Ms Al Hammadi overseeing the layout of the event, which attracts everyone from wealthy collectors to residents looking for something for their homes](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VDX5RBMPVFBBFGSGMEEP3FLWTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f92776e3a841e28e54d134a94ab1df075897f587d4755a28d2e7f43c53173712&width=400&height=225)
![Alanood Al Hammadi works in the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi as the project head for Abu Dhabi Art. All photos: Victor Besa / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4ZKDB6HANRE47CYYKRRJNFIZZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2ea7b135a07679ff42be8c286f4962970ef518cc2cb402f4c2e4f933d0ce6195&width=400&height=225)
![Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the 15th annual international art fair at Manarat Al Saadiyat, from November 22 to 26](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AQ2PX2SFEVFFRCSGSYWTJ6IEHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ded2848a36f586b23ba87c0424ad8e70f80c64cc3495995755240b5755df0a30&width=400&height=225)
![Ms Al Hammadi works with her colleagues, discussing everything from signage details to visitor flow](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YIING7OHCBC4LIXVH5TWP5NPIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=52a5b78593cbeec8a02066ee734aafa520cd5fd4b7583d70e1d53a5c69f29a5b&width=400&height=225)
![Ms Al Hammadi says this year's event is 'the most diverse fair we’ve had'](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WXKM2TNI25AD7KZ465HZYS2COA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1442f3a613be06d670b55a4f953f6764e626fd634eb86dc01f5f41771d57b70e&width=400&height=225)
![Ms Hammadi is hands-on with many operational aspects of Abu Dhabi Art](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/72JHCXNZVJDSFLJDW6RJALAOBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=29b6630bd3cfb6fc0b1276f4e4df9970ab651c57c8c3ba373eff0920d7477505&width=400&height=225)
![Getting the show ready in time. 'I put myself in the shoes of visitors,' says Ms Al Hammadi](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GYZAZE67RNFLJDMRDWJDB6IJTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4a7fe222997de7e6d05538189e4d994ae92b76b8ed4f683428f359a2c5fb7d87&width=400&height=225)
![Ms Al Hammadi overseeing the layout of the event, which attracts everyone from wealthy collectors to residents looking for something for their homes](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VDX5RBMPVFBBFGSGMEEP3FLWTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f92776e3a841e28e54d134a94ab1df075897f587d4755a28d2e7f43c53173712&width=400&height=225)
![Alanood Al Hammadi works in the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi as the project head for Abu Dhabi Art. All photos: Victor Besa / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4ZKDB6HANRE47CYYKRRJNFIZZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2ea7b135a07679ff42be8c286f4962970ef518cc2cb402f4c2e4f933d0ce6195&width=400&height=225)
![Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the 15th annual international art fair at Manarat Al Saadiyat, from November 22 to 26](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AQ2PX2SFEVFFRCSGSYWTJ6IEHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ded2848a36f586b23ba87c0424ad8e70f80c64cc3495995755240b5755df0a30&width=400&height=225)
![Ms Al Hammadi works with her colleagues, discussing everything from signage details to visitor flow](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YIING7OHCBC4LIXVH5TWP5NPIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=52a5b78593cbeec8a02066ee734aafa520cd5fd4b7583d70e1d53a5c69f29a5b&width=400&height=225)
![Ms Al Hammadi says this year's event is 'the most diverse fair we’ve had'](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WXKM2TNI25AD7KZ465HZYS2COA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1442f3a613be06d670b55a4f953f6764e626fd634eb86dc01f5f41771d57b70e&width=400&height=225)
![Ms Hammadi is hands-on with many operational aspects of Abu Dhabi Art](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/72JHCXNZVJDSFLJDW6RJALAOBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=29b6630bd3cfb6fc0b1276f4e4df9970ab651c57c8c3ba373eff0920d7477505&width=400&height=225)
![Getting the show ready in time. 'I put myself in the shoes of visitors,' says Ms Al Hammadi](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GYZAZE67RNFLJDMRDWJDB6IJTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4a7fe222997de7e6d05538189e4d994ae92b76b8ed4f683428f359a2c5fb7d87&width=400&height=225)
![Ms Al Hammadi overseeing the layout of the event, which attracts everyone from wealthy collectors to residents looking for something for their homes](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VDX5RBMPVFBBFGSGMEEP3FLWTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f92776e3a841e28e54d134a94ab1df075897f587d4755a28d2e7f43c53173712&width=400&height=225)
Day in the Life: Abu Dhabi Art project head tackles the busiest time of year
Alanood Al Hammadi juggles managing the region's largest cultural gathering with finding time for her family
David Dunn
November 02, 2023
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November 02, 2023