Meet Dina Haddad of Doghouse in The Bay Area

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dina Haddad.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a Jordanian American visual artist currently located in the Bay Area.

My relationship with art began in high school when I took a photography class and fell in love with analog film. Which motivated me to go to art school and begin investing in a career in the field of arts and crafts. During my time at California College of the Arts, I was able to hone my technical and conceptual photography skills, as well as developing new interests in different mediums. I really began to appreciate fine-art after a summer abroad in Iceland. A two-week artist retreat on a horse farm where the sun did not set. In that space, I was having conscious conversations with myself about my personal life, my life as an artist, and how they are connected. After my time in Iceland, I went back home with a new mindset towards my art practice and myself.

Since that trip, I have been growing as a conceptual visual artist specifying in letterpress, bookmaking, and photography. While taking some advanced bookmaking classes a couple of friends and I began the idea to start an artist collective/publishing press, Doghouse.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Growing up, I moved many different times to many different cities and countries. I lived in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, New York, Jordan again, and then back to New York. Having to relocate so many times, I attached the word “home” to memories rather than physical space. It became regular to just up and leave people, traditions, and routines. When I moved to the States, one of the biggest cultural shocks was to go from a predominately Muslim Arabic speaking country to the United States. As an Arab American, you’re hidden. Not being American enough and not being Arab enough. Going back to Jordan, I stood out and in the States, I stood out. Through my art, I am able to express myself and look to share my work with people that may have a similar experience. To create community and make the space for people to not feel alone. To understand and to be understood.

Please tell us about Doghouse.
One of the bigger projects I am working on is Doghouse, an artist collective and publishing press. We’re beginning with publishing multiple books and zines with the intention of moving towards creating physical spaces to showcase and sell the books including pop-up exhibitions with live music. Our intention is to make more affordable books so the artist can share their work and introduce people into the world of book arts with a more affordable and inclusive aspect in regards to pricing.

A specific project I am publishing through Doghouse is a series called “The Space for Us.” An open-call group exhibition for emerging local artists in book form. The intention of this series is to make the space for emerging artists to showcase their work and for people to view the work being made in the art world simultaneously.

I also feature my work in exhibitions and galleries to continue my personal art practice. I have recently had (pre-covid) just showcased in two gallery exhibitions in the bay area. After having a few experiences and viewing the exclusivity of the art world, my plan for the future is to open my own gallery and workshop space that any artist of any experience and background can have access to.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
While there were many obstacles on the way and there will always be obstacles, as a human and artist you have to go through it to get past it. Everything is a learning experience. I am very thankful and blessed to have met and shared my life with some truly inspiring people and I can’t wait to meet some more.

Contact Info:

• Website: haddaddina.com
• Email: haddaddinak@gmail.com
• Instagram: haddadkdina and doghouse.pdf

Image Credit:
©doghouse ©johannesvalvur ©tylerpoolos ©josephblake ©samanthaallard

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