Call to Action for Dubai Based Artists

Call to action: calling local artists and art enthusiasts to submit their concepts for permanent, site-specific pieces of art and sculpture.

·         Supported by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the Al Ghurair Centre’s initiative is a call to regional artists and those residents in the UAE who have a creative flare and passion for art.

·         Concepts for public, site-specific sculptures and installations in the urban hub of the city.

·         Acting as a platform for emerging talent in the region

·         The judges will shortlist entries in October 2014 according to their interpretation of the “some things change, some things stay the same” theme, creative nature and innovative design.

·         Finalists will be announced in November and their installations will be publically unveiled in March 2015.

·         Industry experts involved in the project include;

o   Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum (Emirait) – Artist, photographer and progressive business woman. She is determined to promote artistic development in the UAE

o   Patricia Millns (British) –Her work can be seen in prestigious public and private collections worldwide, including The British Museum, the Royal Commonwealth Society, Sharjah National Museum, the Kuwait National Collection, the Royal Collection of Jordan and the Cultural Foundation of Abu Dhabi and UNIFEM New York.



o   Ebtisam Abdul-Aziz (Emirati) – She has exhibited widely both across the UAE and internationally. A member of the Emirates Fine Art Society she lives and works in Sharjah.

o   Colin Reaney (Kiwi) – Associate Professor in Sculpture at AUD, Colin is involved in many collaborative art projects internationally.

·         Submission are being taken until 10th October 2014

·         To submit a concept visit - http://alghuraircentre.com/publicartinitiative/

Where can I sell my paintings in Dubai?

This is a question that I get asked quite a lot from people already living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi or those wishing or planning to come and live over in the United Arab Emirates. There are a lot of artists in Dubai and the surrounding areas both professional and amateur who are looking to make some money from selling their paintings.

If you are a professional artist with a good reputation then you may be able to sell your paintings in one of the many galleries in Dubai but for most people this is unlikely to be an option.

The first place I would suggest you go if you want to sell your paintings in Dubai is to one of the Arte (Artisans of the Emirates) markets. They hold markets in various locations a few times a month and many amateur and professional artists try and sell their work here. You can find more info on their website here.

My advice would be to go to one of the markets first as a visitor and speak to one of the people who runs it (Miriam or Paul) and also some of the artists who are already selling there. Then you will get a good idea of what kind of art is sold and how to display it. Making contacts with other artists means that you might also find out about other markets and fairs.

Abu Dhabi Art 2013 Wings Project

I have received details of a project being run by Abu Dhabi Art for artists to showcase their work to an international audience so I thought that I would share this in case anyone is interested in taking part. The deadline for entries is Saturday 6th July so there is still time to get together an entry.
Here are the details below from the flyer:

Dubai International Jazz Festival

For the last 6 or 7 years (I have lost count!) I have taken part in the Arts and Crafts Village at the Dubai International Jazz Festival. An area is set aside for around 10 tents selling handmade arts and crafts for the duration of the festival. For a few years this was just 3 days but in the last few years this has been extended to around 10 nights and has moved to a great new venue at Dubai Festival City.

Although it is not that cheap to exhibit (it costs around 5,000 dirhams for a tent although I always share to halve the cost) every year I have covered my costs by sales and usually made a bit of profit. Last year I had the best year in terms of sales and covered the costs of coming over from the UK to participate.

The festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors with great music (not just jazz!). This year (2013) the headline acts are Deep Purple, One Republic and The Script :-) and it runs from 14th to 22nd February.

If you participate in the arts and crafts village then you need to be present every night of the festival to open your tent and sell your wares. However, it is a great atmosphere and you get to hear all the bands and the great music.

If you are interested in taking part in the Jazz Festival (if you are an artist or selling handmade crafts) then contact Carrie Wareham for more info. You can find her facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/CarrieWarehamArt

Where to Buy Custom Canvases?

Ok so I normally get my canvases made by Jam Jar when I am in Dubai but they have changed their price structure recently and they now seem to be way too expensive (I was quoted 432 dirhams for a 120x120cm gallery wrapped canvas). So I need to find somewhere else to get custom canvases made. Either that or I will have to stick to standard sizes.

A few years ago there were quite a few carpenters around who were making custom canvases for reasonable prices but they seem to have gone by the wayside. I know that Emirates Trading sometimes have custom ordered sizes in their shops so I will try them but otherwise if anyone knows someone who makes them then can you please let me know?

DXB Store at Art Dubai

All UAE based artists and designers are invited to submit their ideas for proposals and products for the 3rd installment of the not for profit initiative which takes place during Art Dubai.

More info can be found on the Art Dubai website but applications must be in by 4th January.

http://artdubai.ae/dxbstore

Festiva Bazaar by Anahata

Below are details of another Bazaar that is taking place in Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Again this is a new one that I have not tried before but if you need more info then contact Info@anahataspa.ae

We are pleased to invite you to join us for  A.N.A.H.A.T.A.’s  upcoming bazaar ;

Event Name:     FESTIVA Bazaar
 The 1st Annual Bazaar of Arts, Fashion & Wellness by A.N.A.H.A.T.A. Wellness Spa

Event Date:  23rd November 2012,  Friday

Event Time: 11:00am to 9:00pm

Event Type: Outdoor Event ( Anahata Garden)

Event Details:

A.N.A.H.A.T.A. Wellness Spa is having its 1st Annual Bazaar for Arts,
Fashion and Wellness for the benefit of Labour of Love UAE which a
charity group that works to improve quality of life for labourers in
Abu Dhabi, focusing on education, social activities and provision of
basic goods.

FESTIVA Bazaar is a whole day event which will be joined by vendors of
all types promoting their own fashion, clothing, jewellery and craft
lines. There will be variety of stalls showcasing different products
that guest can choose from. A  perfect holiday shopping for
A.N.A.H.A.T.A  patrons and potential clients.

Discount Vouchers will be given during the event for all participating guest.

Tables are available for 200AED. Vendors may leave early as they wish.  Payment can be done personally or thru our bank account.