11.24 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Gifts and all things Xmas from Dubai's artisans

Sharjah-based Ozden Cicek at work on her decoupage. She retails with Arte (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Miranda Smith

There’s nothing like Christmas to bring out your inner magpie. And accordingly, the UAE’s talents are putting out their finest work in time for the festive season.

Arte, the Artisans of the Emirates, are holding a sale of hand-crafted ornaments, gifts and garments in keeping with the warmth of the season this weekend, from noon to 7pm on Friday and Saturday at Times Square Centre. A second market is being held next Friday at Dubai Festival City, running from 12pm to 9pm, followed by a third at Al Hamra Mall in Ras Al Khaimah on Saturday, December 18.

IN PICTURES: The UAE's artisans interpret Christmas

Over 120 exhibitors from across the UAE will bring their unique range of hand crafted products made with tender care and unsurpassed creativity and design, all of them local and many not selling their products elsewhere, say organisers.

And visitors can discover fine and casual jewellery, the best in visual arts from photography to watercolours to oils, clothing by local designers, gourmet foods, toys, sculpture, fine and functional pottery, a wide selection of woodworking, stained glass, fashion accessories and lots more.

Artisans of the Emirates was founded in 2005 by Miriam Walsh, a felt maker, and Paul Townsend, a silversmith; both experienced artisans regularly featuring at the fairs in Dubai and long-term residents of Dubai.

Many of the craft fairs in Dubai at that time included a high percentage of imported goods of varying quality and often produced in bulk. Mixed with a sense of dissatisfaction of how other events were run, Paul & Miriam decided to set up their own Artisan of the Emirates community to showcase the quality work produced by talented individuals living in the UAE.

Arte has seen a rapid increase in membership since 2005; it now boasts over 1800 members, from at least 30 different countries. The souks offer the ideal venue for gift buyers and souvenir hunters, or those just looking for locally made quality art and crafts as a lasting memory of the Arabian region.

IN PICTURES: The UAE's artisans interpret Christmas