At just 25 years old, Karen Beyrouthy is quickly becoming one of the most inspiring figures in the Middle East’s creative scene. A Lebanese-Armenian entrepreneur based in Dubai, Karen Beyrouthy is a visual artist and creative director whose work sits at the vibrant crossroads of art, design, and technology. Her story is not just about talent and creativity, but about bold choices, community-building, and using art to foster real human connection.
A Courageous Leap: From Medicine to Art
Karen Beyrouthy’s path to becoming a creative force was not straightforward. Originally from Lebanon, she began her academic journey studying medicine, a very different world from the one she would eventually shape. But her true passion was always creativity. With a love for piano, drawing, and painting since childhood, Karen Beyrouthy realized that art was her natural way of expressing and understanding the world around her.
Deciding to leave behind the security of a medical career, Karen Beyrouthy moved to Italy to pursue studies in communication design and strategy. This shift was more than a change of career; it was a redefinition of how she wanted to shape her life. Her education expanded her perspective on what art and design could be, pushing her to explore new formats and ideas.
Blending Art, Technology, and Emotion
Today, Karen Beyrouthy’s work is best described as immersive and multidisciplinary. She specializes in projection mapping, live visuals, audiovisual installations, and spatial storytelling. These are not just art projects; they are experiences designed to transform physical spaces and evoke emotional responses from their audiences.
Karen Beyrouthy’s projects have taken her across the Middle East and Europe, collaborating with festivals, brands, and creative teams. She is often involved from the earliest stages of concept development all the way to technical execution, ensuring that every detail aligns with her vision. This blend of creative direction and hands-on technical work is a rare and powerful combination.
For Karen Beyrouthy, visuals are not just decorations; they are tools to create shared experiences. Her work invites people to engage, reflect, and connect, transforming ordinary spaces into places of wonder and interaction.
Building Communities: Club After Six
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Karen Beyrouthy is deeply passionate about community building. In Dubai, she founded Club After Six, a social movement that started with simple after-work group walks. The idea was to create a space for people to slow down, connect, and share meaningful conversations in a city known for its fast pace and busy lifestyles.
The concept quickly resonated with many. Club After Six has organically expanded to cities like Beirut, Paris, and Doha, growing its WhatsApp community to over 900 members in less than a year. What began as a casual way to meet new people and enjoy movement turned into a platform promoting wellness, friendship, and human connection.
Club After Six is often described by its community as more than just a walk club — it’s a space that turns strangers into friends. Participants share that it feels safe to put themselves out there, rebuild routine, and find a genuine sense of belonging, especially within unfamiliar or overwhelming urban environments.
Supporting Creatives with Fann Collective
Karen Beyrouthy’s commitment to connection extends into the creative industry itself. Noticing a lack of accessible platforms for emerging talent, she founded Fann Collective, a creative hub aimed at supporting and connecting artists across the MENA region.
Fann Collective hosts community-driven events, collaborations, and educational initiatives to create opportunities and visibility for creatives across disciplines from music, visual arts, design, and new media to chefs, performers, technologists, and entrepreneurs. It is a platform born out of Karen Beyrouthy’s belief that creativity grows stronger when it is nurtured together.
Through Fann Collective, Karen Beyrouthy is helping to build a vibrant creative ecosystem, fostering collaboration and growth among artists who might otherwise struggle to find their place.
Innovating with Holoverse: The Future of Immersive Art
One of Karen Beyrouthy’s most impressive projects is Holoverse, an immersive audiovisual installation featured at a major music conference in Riyadh. Unlike typical installations that rely on preset audiovisual responses, Holoverse allows visitors to actively shape the experience through their choices and collaboration, making each session unique.
The project was developed as a collaborative work, with contributions from another artist as a co creator. This approach reflects Karen Beyrouthy’s belief in using technology to enhance human connection rather than replace it. Through play, technology, and storytelling, Holoverse encourages visitors to become creators themselves and take part in a shared, memorable experience.
Lessons from a Young Visionary
Karen Beyrouthy credits much of her success to learning to trust herself. She says that the most valuable lesson she has learned is to trust and believe in herself. For her, self-trust is the foundation of creativity and resilience. It is what allows her to take risks, make bold decisions, and remain confident in the face of uncertainty.
She views her work as more than just creating art; it is about building spaces where people feel present, seen, and connected. Through immersive experiences and community-led projects, Karen Beyrouthy hopes to leave a lasting impact by fostering genuine human connection.
Advice for the Next Generation
Reflecting on her journey, Karen Beyrouthy offers powerful advice for young creatives and entrepreneurs. She says to keep throwing yourself at life with no fear, stay curious, take risks, and trust that even the uncertain moments are shaping something meaningful.
This fearless approach to life and work is evident in everything she does. From leaving a secure academic path to creating groundbreaking art and building communities, Karen Beyrouthy embodies the spirit of courage and innovation.
A Growing Presence in the Creative World
Based in Dubai, Karen Beyrouthy continues to push the boundaries of what art and technology can do. Her work spans continents and cultures, blending technical skill with emotional storytelling. As the Middle East’s creative landscape grows, Karen Beyrouthy stands out as a leader and visionary helping to shape its future.
Her blend of immersive art, community focus, and technology-driven projects sets a new standard for creativity in the region. For Karen Beyrouthy, the goal is clear: to use creativity as a bridge that brings people together and enriches lives.
Karen Beyrouthy’s story is a testament to the power of following your passion, embracing change, and building community through creativity. Her work reminds us all that art is not just something to look at; it is something to experience, share, and live.
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