Many years ago, when seen from the Creek, the Bastakia's numerous windtowers were like a host of upraised hands welcoming visitors to port or bidding them safe passage as they sailed out to sea.
In the same way, The Majlis Gallery is seen as a haven for artists and art lovers, a place where they can rest in the tranquility of a bougainvilla-filled courtyard and enjoy a respite from the hurly-burly of modern-day living.
Alison Collins came to Dubai in 1976 to work as an interior designer, and fell in love with the country and especially with the architecture and ambiance of the old windtower houses in the Bastakia.
The story of The Majlis Gallery contains all the ingredients of a really good fairy tale.
In 1978, with the help of two Iranian tea importers and an Egyptian curtain maker, Alison and her husband secured the lease on villa number 19, Bastakia, Bur Dubai.
Here, over the next ten years, they raised their three young children and played host to many informal soirees in their 'majlis', hence the name, introducing artists both professional and amateur to a somewhat culturally bereft community.
1988 could have been a disaster for the Bastakia, but instead of the planned demolition of the area, a reprieve was granted and on 2 November 1989, The Majlis Gallery reopened its doors - the rest is history.
Since that day, its aim has been to promote the work of artists of an international standing and to become a meeting place for creative minds - a more satisfactory 'happy ever after' ending could not have been penned!
Today's Bastakia is steeped in history and offers a tantalising glimpse into a time when Dubai consisted of nothing more than a haphazard arrangement of courtyard houses, built to accomodate its burgeoning merchant community.
Now, of course, with the opening of the newly renovated properties, it presents the Emirate with a vibrant artistic and cultural centre.
Over the years, The Majlis Gallery has developed friendships with artists from all over the world, and is proud to have been given an opportunity to showcase their incredible talents.
EXTRAS
FURNITURE: The French Collection consists of sofas, armchairs, divans and footstools made in France using the finest fabrics.
Using traditional country cottage designs, craftsmen in India have produced chests of drawers, bedside tables, coffee and dining room tables, sideboards, and armoires out of limed mango wood.
FUNCTIONS: The Majlis Gallery is a fascinating venue for private parties, corporate entertaining, business meetings, fashion shows, tea parties or general get-togethers.
CORPORATE COMMISSIONS: We offer a superior art consultancy service for designers, hotels, restaurants and offices, as well as individual clients.
WORKSHOPS: Many of our visiting artists are also talented tutors who run specialized workshops in a wide variety of mediums.
FRAMING: We have a wide selection of quality frames and mounts, and specialize in working with our clients to achieve unique answers to the presentation of art.
ARTEFACTS: Crockery, cutlery, fossils, ammonites, antique carpets and tribal kilims, kaleidoscopes, traditional Omani baskets and weavings, cushions and all manner of beautiful and decorative objects.
MAPS: According to Fay Huidekoper-Cope, an experienced collector of maps of Arabia for over 20 years, "maps represent so much more than the mere reproduction of geographical landscaping. They tell of the exciting story of how the modern world developed."
Fay works with The Majlis Gallery on an ongoing basis to obtain maps and charts of the Arabian Gulf.
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