N I V Art Centre

N I V Art Centre is tucked away in Neb Sarai, at number 210. It’s a bit of a quiet spot compared to the main roads, which is good for the artists who work here. We have different spaces where people can come and paint or work on their sculptures. It’s not always tidy because art can be messy business. There’s usually some clay on the floor or the smell of oil paint in the air. We host exhibitions sometimes, and then we have to scurry around cleaning up and making sure the lights are pointing at the right walls. It’s a small team running the place, so we all end up doing everything from answering the door to moving heavy frames. We aren't a big corporate gallery, so things are a bit more relaxed here. You might find some of us sitting outside having tea and talking about a new project. The neighborhood is mostly residential, so it’s a nice change of pace. Sometimes people wander in just to see what’s going on, and we let them look around. We don't have fancy brochures or anything. It’s just a place for people who like to make things and for others to see what’s been made. We keep the doors open and try to keep the studios in decent shape for whoever is using them next. It stays pretty dusty with all the materials we use, but that is just part of the process for us.