The Paint Lab Takeover at Studio Thirteen, Dubai
- Hannah Williams
- Sep 23
- 2 min read
The Paint Lab recently hosted a takeover at Studio Thirteen, an art collective space set in the warehouse district of Al Quoz. Known for its stripped-back, industrial character, Studio Thirteen sits at the heart of Dubai’s creative underground, housing a number of collectives that are shaping an alternative scene in a city better known for its gloss and skyscrapers. It’s a space that feels raw, communal, and refreshingly different—closer to an East London studio than what many expect of Dubai.
The event was a paint party led by Hannah from The Paint Lab, who guided the group through a step-by-step process to create their own pomegranate painting. Acrylics on A3 canvas were the tools of the evening, brushes in hand, the group worked their way through the two-hour session.
What made the evening stand out was the mix of people in the room. Some hadn’t picked up a paintbrush since school; others had a little more confidence, but all came with an openness to try. By the end, every participant walked away with their own interpretation of the pomegranate.
Outside, May in Dubai was its usual self: dry heat climbing past 40 degrees. Inside, however, the studio carried a different atmosphere—cooler, calmer, and entirely focused on creativity. It was a reminder that spaces like Studio Thirteen aren’t just about producing art; they are about offering alternatives, building communities, and creating pockets of culture in a fast-moving city.
As someone now teaching in Dubai but still connected to the UK, these kinds of events feel significant. They highlight a different side of Dubai, one that isn’t always visible from the outside: experimental, grounded, and committed to making art accessible. The Paint Lab takeover at Studio Thirteen captured this spirit perfectly, proving that in the middle of a warehouse district, surrounded by concrete and heat, creativity has its own way of thriving.
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