Crafts Ripe for the picking in Contemporary Design and Craft Market add extra dimension to World Art Dubai

• Thousands flock to fair to buy art
• Ripe Market, thejamjar, Canon, Microsoft, musicians create one-of-a-kind atmosphere at Dubai World Trade Centre
• Last chance for UAE residents to soak up the al fresco festival vibe and creative atmosphere at the affordable art fair

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 9 April 2016: The burgeoning creativity of people living and working in the UAE has been given a new space in which to flourish, as the Ripe Contemporary Design and Craft Market offers an innovative twist to the traditional art fair model of World Art Dubai.

Adding an al fresco festival vibe to the four-day affordable art fair, the market has gathered hundreds of small, local businesses who are selling quirky lifestyle gifts, innovative concepts and authentic crafts – an ideal add on purchase for those buying unique pieces of art from around the world.

Open until 9pm on Saturday 9 April, this is the last chance for Dubai residents to soak up the creative atmosphere at the Dubai World Trade Centre and visit both the fair and market in one buzzing, creative venue.

In keeping with the aim of World Art Dubai to banish the stigma of elitism from art and to introduce art as an affordable luxury to a wider audience rather than to limit it to a certain niche, the team from Ripe has created an area which is brimming full of cool lifestyle concepts and handmade products, helping to support local businesses.

Becky Balderstone, Founder of Ripe, said: “There are so many individual and creative minds in the UAE that World Art Dubai and Ripe Organics have partnered up to create this unique, one of a kind market.  By stopping by, you will get the chance to see, taste, smell and feel the Ripe revolution first hand and find out what our Ripe Markets are all about.  Our Ripe Organic stand will also be there, packed with fresh organic veggies for you to stock up on.”

The Ripe team is among a number of recognised local and international companies that have partnered with World Art Dubai to create a one of a kind atmosphere at the Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Microsoft, the Digital Art Partner, is presenting a programme offering collaborative workshops and talks built around the theme ‘Breaking Cultural Boundaries through Art,’ available to both children and adults.

thejamjar, the Dubai-based art studio has created a series of workshops to offer a unique opportunity for visitors to unleash their creativity through the use of mixed media in age-specific groups led by artists. Each ‘hands on’ experience is preceded by a presentation of well-known art works, explained in their historical and cultural context.

The Interactive Graffiti Art & Canon Activity Wall is another new feature at the show, hosted by Canon - World Art Dubai’s Official Imaging Partner. The interactive wall will provide the audience with the opportunity for a creation of virtual graffiti using a specially designed spray to make their own vibrant and colourful work of art. 

The second edition World Art Dubai opened on Wednesday, 6 April, featuring an affordable collection of contemporary artworks comprising paintings, prints, photography, sculptures, mixed media and installations, as well as music performances, prominent talks and interactive workshops delivered by international speakers, all created to make the art world more accessible to everyone.

The event has brought exclusive, extraordinary, and affordable contemporary art to the UAE and is reducing the pricing gap in the contemporary art sphere between the UAE and other countries.

More than 140 prominent local, regional and international galleries and artists have been featured at the show including Stephen Megson, former Head of Art at Rashid School for Boys in Dubai, who is showcasing decorative oil paintings which depict interpretations of myths and cultural Balinese imagery, goddesses, skyscapes, Chinese landscape and his new impressions of Dubai.

Located alongside the Ripe Contemporary Design and Craft Market is another outdoor area, Art For All @ The Yard, featuring food trucks, the Canon Activity Wall and Repton School’s Urban Dubai competition as well as an area for visitors to express themselves with paint on canvas.

An Activity Wall set up by Canon, the Official Imaging Partner, gives visitors the opportunity to be part of ‘the bigger picture’ by uploading their pictures on Instagram using the hashtag #mygraffitiart. The wall then uses these pictures to make up the pixels of a larger image, allowing visitors to literally become part of a work of art.

Busker style musicians are also onsite every day from 5:00pm to 9:00pm to create a lively atmosphere both indoors and outdoors using various musical instruments.

Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC, said: “World Art Dubai is an art fair with a difference.  It’s open to every facet of our community, those who are only starting to learn about art and appreciate it, to those who have extensive art collections at home.  Features such as the Ripe Market and The Yard make this a much more accessible, family-friendly event and the popularity of these areas of the show tell us that we were right to add these flavours to the fair.”

World Art Dubai 2016 is supported by Dubai Culture and is part of the Dubai Art Season.  Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, entry to the fair is AED15 for a daily pass and tickets can be purchased onsite during the fair at the welcome desks.  Children of 16 years and under are admitted free of charge, upon showing a student ID.