THE ART CIRCLE
دائرة الفن
Meet the Team
Board Members
BARBARA FARAHNICK-MATHONET Founder & President
Barbara Farahnick-Mathonet is the Founder and President of The Art Circle, a platform she created to foster artistic dialogue and support artists across the MENASA region and beyond.
In recognition of her professional accomplishments and community engagement, Barbara was awarded Knight in the Order of Leopold, bestowed by King Philippe of Belgium.
Art has been an integral part of Barbara’s life from an early age. Her father and grandmother were both gallerists, her brother continues this legacy, and her sister is an artist.
HODA FOUAD CHAHINE
Treasurer & Founding Member
Hoda Fouad Chahine, Lebanese, a. graduate from the American University of Beirut with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Public Health.
She lives in Abu Dhabi for more than forty years.
Her career life was very far from art. She joined the Ministry of Health and worked as a public Health Consultant for more than three decades. She witnessed throughout her career major changes in the development of the health care delivery system.
.jpg)
SYLVIE HULOT-MAKKAR
Exhibition Coordinator
Art is quite literally in Sylvie's roots. Being raised in Vincent Van Gogh's last town of residence (Auvers-sur-Oise, France) sparked a passion for art in her that has blossomed into a lifelong commitment.
Though she is an art enthusiast and a modest collector, she comes to the Art Circle with two Masters and 30 years of experience in the education sector - a career that took her to several countries in the region and gave her the opportunity to explore art in different contexts.
Having lived in the UAE on and off since 1993, Sylvie is particularly fascinated by the recent and rapid growth of the Emirati art scene and what the future of art in the region could hold.
NOOR AL SUWAIDI
Artistic Adviser
Noor Al Suwaidi is an Artist, Curator and Cultural Producer with over 15 years experience in the arts and creative industries. Al Suwaidi graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from American University in Washington, D.C. In 2009 she obtained a master’s degree in Curating Contemporary Design from Kingston University, London. Noor’s artwork has been exhibited in gallery shows in London, Kuwait, Berlin, Washington, D.C., Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, and Abu Dhabi. As a curator, Noor specializes in curating exhibitions of Emirati artists both locally and internationally.
NADA AKKARI
Editor & Founding Member
After graduating with a Licence in Business Management (Université de Geneve), Nada followed her real passion. She enrolled in a year course of modern art history at Christies London and interior design studies at Chelsea College of Art before co-founding her interior design company, DN Designs Ltd. in 1992, and later DN Designs Collection Ltd for a range of home accessories.
Her love and passion for art and design led her to join the Art Circle as a member and later as a Board member in Abu Dhabi.
Contributors
GIDA EL KHEYAMI
Head of Communication
Graphic designer, visual artist a filmmaker with a passion for art in all its forms.
With a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and a masters degree in Filmmaking, Gida has trained as a creative in the fields of advertising, film and TV. She has studies and worked in Syria, Lebanon, Paris and London. Being interested in the fields of Art & Culture, her projects always held a social responsibility towards the community.
Later on, once based in the UAE, she founded an event planning boutique, building a brand up from scratch, managing social media accounts, and creating content.
With The Art Circle, Gida runs communication on social media as well as all visual material and establishes points of contact with Art institutions and stakeholders in the region.
FLORE BACHELLERIE
Office Manager
Flore has been living in Abu Dhabi since 2021 and brings with her a rich, international background shaped by a lifetime spent as an expatriate for the past 25years. Her diverse professional experience spans multiple countries and sectors, giving her a strong foundation in cross-cultural communication and event coordination.
Currently serving as an Office and Events Manager for a business council, Flore combines her organizational skills with her passion for community engagement. She is delighted to support The Art Circle team with the same dedication, contributing her expertise while embracing the vibrant local cultural scene.