More than 80 entries have been shortlisted and we have the names
Over 80 exceptional entries have been shortlisted and will soon take pride of place in the main atrium of Abu Dhabi Mall, where the judging panel will return to make their final decision.
The buzz is officially real, and the excitement is palpable; the shortlisted entries for The Art of Recycling competition have been announced, and they are nothing short of extraordinary.
A collaboration between Yalla and Abu Dhabi Mall, the third edition of the competition invites Abu Dhabi’s most creative minds to transform everyday waste into imaginative, show-stopping works of art.
Now, with the final selection revealed, the mall is set to become a showcase for sustainability and art as you’ve never seen it before. These inspired pieces under the theme ‘I love Abu Dhabi, because….’ range from intricate sculptures to avant-garde wearable art.
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The 86 shortlisted entries will be on public display in the main atrium of Abu Dhabi Mall for three weeks, turning one of the city’s premier shopping destinations into a gallery of eco-conscious brilliance.
Whether you’re a casual visitor or an art enthusiast, the exhibition offers a striking reminder that beauty can come from the most unexpected places.
The judging panel, which included renowned Fine Artist Mark Dickens, art educator and curator James Matthews, and Design and Dine owner Gemma Gallagher, was blown away by the quality and originality of the submissions.
All three judges praised the ingenuity and emotional depth behind the artworks, noting how each piece brought its own narrative of transformation, environmental awareness, and cultural relevance.
With a total prize pool of AED 70,000 in Abu Dhabi Mall vouchers on the line, anticipation is growing ahead of the big reveal.
The winners will be announced in late May at a special awards ceremony, following a final round of judging that will determine which entries are victorious.
But this competition isn’t just about the prize; it’s about inspiring a community-wide conversation.
The campaign continues to make a bold statement that creativity and sustainability can (and should) coexist, even in the most luxurious of settings.
By bringing this message to the heart of the city, the event invites everyone to pause, reflect, and perhaps even rethink their own approach to waste.
So next time you’re shopping for the latest trends or meeting friends for a bite, take a detour through the atrium at Abu Dhabi Mall where you’ll find ideas that could reshape the way we view our world.
THE ART OF RECYCLING SHORTLIST
NURSERY
Blue Falcon Class – Falcon British Nursery
Coral Falcon Class – Falcon British Nursery
Cranleigh Pre-prep – Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
Hidayah Fatima Khan – Islamiya English School
KG Students – Mayoor Private School
Lou Fuentes – Diyafah International School
M. Maaz Mahmoud – Islamiya English School
Purple Falcon Class – Falcon British Nursery
Ruby Falcon Class – Falcon British Nursery
Tashvik Nattyals – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Teal Falcon Class – Falcon British Nursery
PRIMARY
Adeena Hassan & Farida Elafif – Raha International School Khalifa City Campus
Aden Malik – Islamiya English School
Afra & Saeed Alzarooni – ADNOC School
Aheri Muazumdar – Brighton College Abu Dhabi
Aizah Khan – GEMS Winchester School
Alyazia AlShamsi – ADNOC School
Angelica Ferriols – Summit International School
Bella Corlin – Brighton College Abu Dhabi
Dhananjayan Vigneshwaran – GEMS Cambridge International School
Fatima Almheiri – ADNOC School
Hannah CahilL – The British International School Abu Dhabi
Hidayah Mohammad – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Israa Isam – Islamiya English School
Jaiden Ajaimon – GEMS Cambridge International School
Kallen Wu, Tiiso Diale, Caroline Justin – Raha International School Khalifa City Campus
Lottie Cinnamond – Amity International School Abu Dhabi
Nylah Jahan Jasir – Sunrise International School
Pixie Cinnamond – Amity International School Abu Dhabi
Reem Rubaiy – Brighton College Abu Dhabi
Rudaina Turas – Islamiya English School
Ruth Mariam Thomas – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Sai Aarav – Al Yasat Private School
Saif Al Mesabi – Al Yasat Private School
Salama Almazrouei – ADNOC School
Sarah Zeidan – The British School Al Khubairat
Nilay & Lora – Raha International School Khalifa City Campus
Sujaya Vigneshwaran – Merryland International School
Taran Satish – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Theertha Reju – Sunrise English Private School
Vera Antsimonava – The British International School Abu Dhabi
Warda Waqas – Abu Dhabi Grammar School
SECONDARY
Aljalilah, Alia and Sheikha – Summit International School
Avantika Balram – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Ayman Rubaiy – Brighton College Abu Dhabi
Esennia Kolomentseva – Repton School Abu Dhabi
Esteban Demeter – German International School Abu Dhabi
Francis D’Costa – Amity International School Abu Dhabi
Gagana Prakash Devanga – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Ijo Siby Kadavil – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Juliana Homsi – Abu Dhabi International Private School
Kira Danilina – Canadian International School Abu Dhabi
Mahdiya Nisaa – Mayoor Private School
Majd Mahmoud – Abu Dhabi International Private School
Mariam Elkhitab – Yas American Academy
Milin Khaothiemsang – Canadian International School Abu Dhabi
Nabil Ahmajany – Abu Dhabi International Private School
Nadia Abo Lael – Canadian International School Abu Dhabi
Nihal Pakash Devanga – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Nurzoda Solijonova – Summit International School
Oneth Sathsilu – GEMS Winchester School
Rafaela Marsillac – Amity International School Abu Dhabi
Sachit Bhagat – GEMS Cambridge International School – Abu Dhabi
Samantha, Fatima & Mehak – Summit International School
Shantanu Sandeep Bhow – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Sharvesh Kandappan – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Shiza Fatima Siddiqui – Abu Dhabi Indian School
Teighan McCutchon – Canadian International School Abu Dhabi
Vishnu Subbiah – Merryland International School
Wania Waqas – Abu Dhabi Grammar School
INDIVIDUAL
Camille Andree Lamelliere
Harmony Ritchie
Jenifer Tabaday
Maria Banez & James Macaraeg
Martin Holtz Javier
Nithin Mathews Tom
Paul Banatin
Priya Sakthivel
Sakthivel Perumal
Sushant Bhagat
Zinea Fullonton
UNDER 12 – PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION
Marcus Danaf & Zayn Vicky – Aspen Heights British School Abu Dhabi
Meera Alremeithi, Theodore Hanson & Youssef Shamseldin – Aspen Heights British School Abu Dhabi
Niya Elsa Nithin – Sunrise International School
Salama Shurafa & Zayed Alhammadi – Aspen Heights British School Abu Dhabi
Theo Hassan – American Community School
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