Abu Dhabi Art Hub opens

The Abu Dhabi Art Hub, a first-of-its-kind live and work art community for local and international artists today officially opened its doors, unveiling a robust events calendar and unique programmes integrating art perspectives with the community.

Addressing a press conference before the grand opening of the unique artists’ community in the UAE and GCC, promoters of The Abu Dhabi Art Hub, said that the entity has kicked off its trail of activities with a street painting initiative – “Live Artscape,”  and a “Genuine Art Gallery” expo.

“Our aim is to create a thriving destination for local and international artists, integrate community perspectives into art-related activities and open up a platform for young and emerging talents from across the world,” said Ahmed Saleh Al Yafei, art aficionado and promoter of The Abu Dhabi Art Hub.

He positioned The Abu Dhabi Art Hub as a significant private sector initiative in the realm of art, culture and heritage which will complement the Government of Abu Dhabi’s keen interest in promoting art which has led to numerous investments in creating a rich and varied environment and infrastructure for art in the UAE to thrive.

Located in Musaffah, The Abu Dhabi Art Hub will offer a comprehensive platform for artists including young talents to hone their skills in their respective fine art discipline.  Artists could take up living space within the three-storied entity spanning 2,500 square metres and create their works of art as well as exhibit and promote the outcome of their talent.

The Abu Dhabi Art Hub  will offer complimentary space to host events, art activities and exhibitions, coffee shop, production and post-production facilities, 10 live and work units, apart from a large gallery, a media centre, workshop spaces, private art studios and offices for art related businesses. Some of the activities which The Abu Dhabi Art Hub is planning to roll out in participation with various community bodies include art exhibitions by country , street art, art-related charity events, open house tours  for school children to nurture creativity, art in the desert program, photography exhibitions, various types  workshops  etc…  It will also have interactive knowledge-centric events such as learning modules on history and evolution of art, live painting, film night, children’s art, school/university art etc…

According to Yafei, The Abu Dhabi Art Hub, while promoting art across disciplines is also a springboard for the UAE to reach out to the world to highlight its culture and heritage and evolution of the country into a modern and multicultural society. “Our international resident artists will be able to absorb the art and culture of the UAE and transport it to distant lands, unifying us with the world in a spirit of humanity and art,” Yafei said.

The art hub has already signed up six resident artists from across the world who has been involved in the opening activities of the entity.

In line with its mandate to integrate community into its tapestry of activities, The Abu Dhabi Art Hub has already concluded a successful street painting initiative – “Live Artscape” - with resident artists painting different perspectives of Abu Dhabi in the beginning of the month. The artists involved in the event included Ola Hejazi, Nouf Al Semari, Alim Adilov & Andras Manajlo.

A “Genuine Art Gallery expo is currently running at The Abu Dhabi Art Hub which will end on November 17, 2012. In the next two months, events which will be rolled out by The Abu Dhabi Art Hub includes an `Art by Country’ exhibition from November 21-December 5, a Japanese cultural introduction week from December 6 to 12, Japanese Samurai, a glimpse into their life accompanied by a dance performance from December 13 to 16, a Japanese visual arts week from December 20-25 and an event on Japanese music and its tradition from December 27-31.

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