Case Study: Bab Iddeir x Olives & Heather
Reviving Palestinian Art Through Strategy, Storytelling, and Creative Partnership
By: Anwar Abdou
Published on: 10-12-2025
In the heart of Bethlehem’s Old Town, where stones carry centuries of stories, Bab Iddeir was founded in 2017 as an independent gallery dedicated to safeguarding Palestinian art, memory, and identity. Founded from a passion for visual storytelling and a desire to give artists a home, Bab Iddeir has since become one of the West Bank’s most respected cultural spaces.
The Beginning: A Space Born From Love for Palestinian Art
Bab Iddeir was created at a time when the visual arts scene in Bethlehem lacked the platforms it deserved. Despite a wealth of talent, very few spaces welcomed artists, exhibited their work, or connected them with the community.
“I was always fascinated by Palestinian art,” the founder explains. “By 2017, it became clear that our artists needed a home, somewhere that celebrates talent and preserves our collective memory.”
From day one, the gallery’s purpose was rooted in community, belonging, and cultural resilience.
Tags: brand strategy, cultural communications, identity development, digital presence, art sector marketing.
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A Beginning Rooted in Heritage
A Vision to Strengthen the Local and Regional Art Scene
The vision behind Bab Iddeir has always been expansive: to celebrate Palestinian artists, foster collaboration, and open doors to international exposure. Over eight years, the gallery has partnered with more than 40 artists, hosted exhibitions across the Arab region, and grown into a leading art space in the West Bank.
“We see the gallery as a bridge,” Rula shares. “A bridge between artists, community, and the world.”
Challenges in a Shifting Reality
Like many cultural institutions in Palestine, the gallery has felt the weight of political and economic instability. With most collectors coming from the international community, COVID-19 and the ongoing war on Gaza deeply affected attendance, programming, and sales. Exhibitions became rare. Visitors vanished. Yet the gallery’s credibility only grew.
“The trust from artists and collectors kept rising,” they say. “More artists wanted to join us, even in difficult times.”
Partnering With Olives & Heather: Rethinking Identity
To sustain its mission and reach wider audiences, Bab Iddeir turned to Olives & Heather for strategic marketing and CMO consulting. Together, we reexamined the gallery’s vision, refined its identity, and rebuilt its digital presence from the ground up.
“Katherine walked with us step by step,” the founder recalls. “The process was organized, thoughtful, and supported by tools that helped us see our brand clearly.”
We worked on making Bab Iddeir stand out more clearly everywhere. That meant making their look and branding show what they're about, creating a social media plan just for their fans, and using Mailchimp to keep in touch with people regularly. We also figured out who they were talking to and how to best reach them. Plus, we planned out how they could share their story over time to really show what they're about, promote their artists, and get their message across clearly.
Basically, we wanted to create a voice that sounded like the real gallery.
A New Chapter: Growing Into Ramallah
With renewed clarity and a strengthened brand, Bab Iddeir expanded into a new space in Ramallah designed to nurture young artists, host community events, and deepen its role in shaping Palestine’s cultural future.
“Our advice?” “Be patient. Trust the process. And trust the partners who walk beside you.”
Work With Us
Great stories deserve to be seen!
At Olives & Heather, we help organisations with heart and purpose amplify their impact. If you’re ready to share your story and shape perceptions, we’d love to help.
Reach out and let’s build something meaningful together.