RIYADH: Since Saudi Arabia announced 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” the industry has seen a significant focus on artisans and artisanal crafts that showcase domestic and international ventures through festivals and programs, leading to a boost in confidence for aspiring craftspeople.

For artisan and entrepreneur Sheikha Al-Abdulkarim and her two sisters, their interest in pottery went from a weekend curiosity to a local cultural initiative — one of the many shaping the future of traditional crafts in Saudi Arabia.

The idea behind Herfah, which means craft in Arabic, was born out of a love for the ancient clay material as a form of creativity and connection to Saudi heritage.

Today, that passion has transformed into a fully fledged venture that trains aspiring artisans, sells handmade ceramic pieces, and helps preserve one of the Kingdom’s oldest traditions.

“We weren’t thinking about a business at first,” Al-Abdulkarim said. “It was just something we really wanted to learn. But once we started working with our hands, we realized this was more than a hobby.”

In late 2016, the sisters struggled to find pottery workshops in their area, so they contacted an American-Danish ceramic artist who they had discovered online.

That decision led to their first intensive training course and sparked a vision they had not imagined: Creating a space in Saudi Arabia where others could learn, experiment and reconnect with the art of pottery.

Raised in a home where heritage was part of daily life, Al-Abdulkarim credits her upbringing for planting the seed. She was surrounded by handmade textiles, traditional crafts and a family that valued artistry, but turning passion into something tangible was not easy.

“There weren’t many resources,” she said. “Finding materials, equipment, even knowledge — it was all a challenge. But honestly, that made us more determined.”

In 2021, their project Herfah took a turning point when it received backing from Saudi’s Cultural Development Fund, or CDF, a key initiative supporting creative projects across the Kingdom.

With that funding and guidance, the sisters were able to set up a dedicated workspace in the Eastern Province, invest in tools such as kilns and clay-shaping equipment, and offer structured training programs.

“Having that kind of support changed everything,” Al-Abdulkarim said. “It allowed us to dream bigger.”

She advises any aspiring artisan to take advantage of the resources and opportunities that are now abundant in Saudi.

Including CDF’s support programs, the Heritage Commission’s Artisan’s House program offers training courses that seeks to enhance the skills of Saudi artisans, promote innovative craft designs, and encourage participation in festivals and events that attract tourists and visitors from both within and outside the region.

One of the largest annual events in Riyadh is the Saudi International Handicrafts Week — known as Banan — which offers a wealth of live music, interactive experiences and artisanal works from around the world, in addition to Hail’s HARFA festival.

At Herfah, visitors can take part in workshops, experience hands-on pottery sessions, or simply browse handcrafted pieces that blend traditional design with modern aesthetics.

Inclusion is also a priority for the studio, making sure to host sessions for visually impaired participants and encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the craft of pottery.

Their journey reflects a broader movement burgeoning across the Kingdom that highlights the growing importance of cultural preservation, not only for its heritage value but for its economic potential.

The local traditional crafts sector and associated industries have reached an annual market value of SR1.5 billion, according to the Saudi Cultural Development Fund, with efforts to grow that figure through investment and training.

But for Al-Abdulkarim, what matters most is that more people are discovering the joy and meaning behind handmade work. What began as a search for a simple pottery class is now a mission to keep an ancient craft alive, one fired kiln at a time.

“Pottery has taught us patience, resilience and how to connect with our roots,” she said. “Our goal now is to take Herfah further to different cities, different communities, and to show the world what Saudi hands can create.”

As part of Vision 2030, the Saudi Cultural Development Fund continues to back creative businesses such as Herfah, helping to shape a sustainable ecosystem for artists, artisans and cultural entrepreneurs alike.