KSA and Stuff is a startup in Jeddah that aims to draw the attention of locals and tourists towards the beautiful landmarks of the city, and introduce its rich culture and heritage in a new light through their contemporary souvenirs.
The startup was founded by Reema Salama and Ayah Samir, and in addition to their products, they are also aiming to spread knowledge about the art and architecture of Saudi Arabia.
“It was a childhood dream, walking along the streets of all cities we have been to and seeing all those souvenir shops, which proudly celebrated all landmarks and culture even if they were simple,” Samir told Arab News.
She added: “Ever since, I was imagining our valuable Saudi landmarks and rich culture spreading and being shared with the world.”
With the beginning of the Kingdom’s move to promote more tourism, the two started to work to turn their dream into a business.
The pair are also architects who believe in the beauty and value of the art and architecture of the Kingdom. The vibrance and high quality of their products have been the selling points of the business, according to their costumers. “People thought that the colors were unique, which attracted them to our products but in reality, each color is inspired by the landmarks and nature.”
Salama took Arab News through the process of making each product, starting with the research and analysis and the story behind each item.
Like every other startup, KSA and Stuff has also faced many challenges, Samir said, adding that it was a relatively new concept, so there were not many examples that they could learn from.
Coming from an architecture background without much knowledge in the business world, she said it was not easy to engage the market. “Another thing that made our job difficult is the lack of documented information about our art and architecture history, so it was a challenge to study the landmarks and characteristics,” Samir explained.
They said that this was just the beginning, however, and that they were aiming to create a full experience for people visiting Saudi Arabia “to spread small, memorable sparkles of each city in Saudi Arabia around the world.”
Startup of the Week: KSA and Stuff
https://arab.news/6dcrd
Startup of the Week: KSA and Stuff
Riyadh to install 25 new public artworks after conclusion of Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium
- Move will extend the impact of the annual art event beyond its conclusion, bringing large-scale contemporary artworks into the city’s streets and parks
- Artworks produced during the symposium will now become part of Riyadh Art’s permanent collection
RIYADH: Some 25 sculptures created during the seventh edition of the Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium and exhibition will soon be installed across public spaces in Riyadh.
The move will extend the impact of the annual art event beyond its conclusion, organizers said, bringing large-scale contemporary artworks into the city’s streets and parks.
Organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City through the Riyadh Art Program, the 2026 edition has ended after nearly two months of live sculpting, exhibitions and public programming.
The artworks produced during the symposium will now become part of Riyadh Art’s permanent collection and will appear across the capital as part of a broader effort to integrate art into everyday urban life.
This year’s symposium began in January and took place along Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Road, widely known as Tahlia Street.
The site was transformed into an open-air studio in which visitors could observe artists carving, welding and assembling sculptures.
The live sculpting phase, which was held between Jan. 10 and Feb. 5, brought together leading Saudi and international artists to produce 25 large-scale works.
The sculptures were created using locally sourced granite and reclaimed metal, highlighting both the region’s natural materials and the creative reuse of industrial elements.
Visitors were able to follow the process of each artwork’s development, from raw materials to finished sculptures, while also interacting with the artists and learning about their techniques and concepts.
The event also featured a wide-ranging community engagement program designed to deepen public understanding of contemporary art.
The program included 10 panel discussions, 105 training workshops and 15 masterclasses exploring sculptural techniques, materials and the role of public art in cities.
Educational outreach formed another key component of the symposium. Organizers hosted 25 educational visits for more than 600 students, while daily guided tours enabled visitors to explore the artworks and gain insight into the creative processes behind them.
After the live sculpting phase, the completed sculptures remained on-site until March 8, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the works in their original setting before their distribution across Riyadh.
The symposium was curated by Lulwah Al-Homoud, Sarah Staton, and Rut Blees Luxemburg, who guided the artistic direction around the theme “Traces of What Will Be,” exploring how sculpture can reflect future possibilities while responding to the city’s evolving identity.
