Gardenia draws visitors to explore, relax and create

KUWAIT: Before the crowds filled Gardenia on the morning of its official opening, 43-year-old Noura Al-Qanai wandered slowly through the exhibition, a book in hand and a gentle smile on her face. She paused to take in every detail, as if trying to absorb the unique atmosphere that she said could not be found anywhere else in Kuwait. She started visiting long before the official opening. “Since the soft opening, before everything was even out, I used to come. I’m here almost every day. Even most of the staff already know me,” she said, laughing.

For her, the exhibition became a daily escape. “I would bring my book and a chair, sit down, and read. The place feels so warm and welcoming.” She struggled to put the feeling into words. “I don’t know… it makes me feel a connection between the nature, the wood and art.”

Al-Qanai said Gardenia brings back a sense of nostalgia, particularly because of its location near the Kuwait National Museum. “The museum holds lovely memories for every Kuwaiti. It’s tied to such beautiful times. And since so many places have closed or changed, people naturally start missing the things they grew up with.”

She thinks the exhibition is one of a kind. “Honestly, I haven’t seen anything like it. The effort behind it is enormous. You can see how much the team behind it worked, even just by watching their Instagram updates. I was genuinely so happy when Gardenia opened… maybe even happier than they were,” she said. “It’s really something beautiful that I wish could last all year long.”

This year, Gardenia is giving more space for artists and small businesses to flourish. Syrian entrepreneur Shahira is participating for the second time, representing her family’s handmade accessories business. She explained the shared passion among all participants: “Everyone here gives from their heart. “Each person is showing something they truly love.” She also highlighted the exhibition’s support for creators. “Gardenia gives us the chance to show people what handmade art really is. People here don’t focus on the price, they care about the item itself, the craftsmanship, the material. They appreciate our work more,” she said.

But the experience goes beyond sales. “The vibe, the atmosphere, the people – everyone is so relaxed. There’s greenery and plants everywhere. And everything feels connected: the restaurants, the garden areas, the accessories shops, even the skincare booths. It all works together. It’s very nice.”

With so many businesses under one roof, the exhibition fosters a supportive, community-driven environment rather than competition. Sulaiman, another exhibitor, emphasized this. “Everyone helps each other, and the variety is amazing. You don’t just find furniture or food, you find incense burners, clothes, plants… everything.’”

For artists like Mohammad Al-Duwaisan, founder of a glass art studio, Gardenia offers a platform to showcase both craft and culture. “Our goal, especially with the support of the organizers, is to show Kuwait in the best way possible. We want to highlight that Kuwait is diverse, artistic and culturally rich,” he said.

Al-Duwaisan is introducing GCC’s first mobile glass furnace, giving visitors a chance to see the full process of glassmaking from start to finish. “I want them to see the process, not just the final product. I’m also including young assistants, aged 14 to 17, so I can train them during the event.”

He credits the exhibition’s management for making participation easy and enjoyable. “The organizers are amazing. They facilitate everything and make everyone feel comfortable unlike some events’ organizers that make exhibitors feel pressured,” he said. “The management is excellent, the participants are well-selected and the place itself has beautiful energy.” For the first time, Gardenia is also offering a dedicated area for children, featuring fun and safe activities such as trampolines, games and other attractions.