Guided by Heritage, Illuminated by Place: Nujuma and Art of Heritage Celebrate Saudi Craft on the Red Sea

Ain Alalam – Rashad Iskandrni

The richness of Saudi culture is held in the details: the embroidery of a garment, the shape of a clay vessel, the patterns that speak of a particular region and the hands that know them by heart. Passed between generations, these traditions carry the character of the places they come from. That bond between culture and place is at the heart of what it means to be a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, deeply embedded in its surroundings and shaped by their identity. It is also the foundation on which Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, was built on the Red Sea.

For Art of Heritage, the Kingdom’s culture has always been something to carry forward through the act of creating. Born from a devotion to preserving the treasures of Saudi culture, its work gives inherited craftsmanship room to evolve, supporting artisans as they bring traditional knowledge into modern life while keeping each creation tied to its origins.

That evolution finds a fitting home on the Red Sea, where light has long revealed the landscape and carried stories from one shore to the next. At Nujuma, that same light now takes on a new form through Art of Heritage, carried through the artisans who keep it alive, drawing guests further into the Kingdom’s cultural richness and into traditions carried forward by the hands, knowledge and imagination of those who practise them.

“Heritage lives on through the people who practice it, and through the new connections their work makes possible. Art of Heritage was born from a desire to preserve Saudi Arabia’s traditions while giving artisans the freedom and support to reinterpret them for the present and future. Through this partnership, our work finds a setting where it can be valued and shared with people from around the world,” said HRH Princess Nourah Al Faisal Al Saud, CEO, Art of Heritage.

“We hope that a stay at Nujuma leaves guests with a deeper understanding of the place they are visiting. Art of Heritage makes that possible in the truest sense. Its work is not a reflection of Saudi culture; it is the culture itself, carried in the hands of the artisans who keep it alive. Having it within the Reserve means guests meet the Kingdom as it truly is,” said Dennis Sorensen, General Manager, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

The partnership launches amid the celebrations of Saudi National Day, a moment that brings the Kingdom’s heritage, identity and future into particular focus.

“Nujuma is deeply rooted in the place it calls home. From the landscape and marine environment of the Red Sea to the rich culture, traditions and heritage of the Kingdom, every element of the resort is an opportunity to create a meaningful connection between our guests and Saudi Arabia. The Art of Heritage brings this philosophy to life through a new expression of the stories, craftsmanship and cultural identity that have shaped this extraordinary part of the world.

Having been part of Nujuma’s journey from the very beginning, it is particularly meaningful to see this next chapter take shape. What makes Nujuma so special is not simply its natural beauty, but the opportunity it gives our guests to discover, experience and connect with the heritage of the Kingdom in a way that feels authentic, personal and enduring.”, said Tony Coveney, Area General Manager, Marriott International, The Red Sea region.

For Art of Heritage and Nujuma, this is a relationship designed to grow, creating new ways for Saudi culture and craftsmanship to become part of life on The Red Sea.

About Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Set within the luminous waters of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is a secluded island sanctuary where extraordinary natural beauty, celestial wayfinding and deeply personalised Ritz-Carlton care come together. As the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in EMEA, Nujuma invites guests to Follow the Light, venturing outward into Eternal Wonder and returning inward to their True North.

Across 65 spacious beach and overwater villas, shell-inspired architecture by Foster + Partners unfolds in harmony with the island’s natural landscape, opening onto panoramic views of the Red Sea, private pools and an exceptional sense of seclusion. Rooted in the character of the destination, every detail draws inspiration from the rhythms of the sea, the natural beauty of the archipelago and the rich cultural heritage of the Kingdom.

At Nujuma, discovery is deeply connected to place. From exploring the vibrant marine life beneath the Red Sea and witnessing the night sky in one of the world’s most remarkable stargazing environments, to nature-led wellbeing and evocative culinary journeys, each experience offers a different way to connect with the destination. Together, they invite guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and discover the stories, traditions and extraordinary landscapes of Saudi Arabia, creating moments of reflection, renewal and lasting connection.

Nujuma is more than a destination. It is a rare journey into one of the world’s most spectacular marine landscapes, where sunlit discovery gives way to starlit stillness and every experience brings guests closer to the place, to one another and to themselves.

About Art of Heritage

Art of Heritage is a Saudi non-profit dedicated to the preservation, practice and evolution of Saudi craft. Established in 1990 under the AlNahda Association and independent since 2009,  Art of Heritage holds an extensive archive of more than 57,000 rare artefacts from across the Kingdom and the world.

Working across heritage, design and contemporary creativity, Art of Heritage  translates traditional knowledge and techniques into annual collections of fashion and crafted objects, alongside exhibitions, collaborations, workshops and cultural experiences. Its creative practice explores new ways of encountering craft, bringing together the integrity of traditional making with contemporary forms, materials and ideas.

Beyond its own collections and programmes, AOH serves as a key advisor and creative partner on nationwide initiatives centred around craft and cultural heritage, contributing its knowledge, archive and expertise to projects that support the development and continued appreciation of Saudi craft.

At the heart of its work is a commitment to keeping craft alive through people. AOH provides training and employment opportunities in traditional crafts, supporting women, youth and people of determination, while reinvesting proceeds into education, skills development and the continued practice of craft.

Rooted in heritage, Art of Heritage creates new expressions, objects and experiences that carry Saudi craftsmanship forward.