April Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dubai, 4 April, 2011
Artisans of the Emirates (ARTE) adopt green practises for Arts & Craft Market on Friday, 8th April, 2011

Market attractions to include Pets Plus drawing competition for kids plus Emirates Arthritis Foundation to host fund raiser exhibition

This Friday, 8th April, 2011 at Times Square Center, ARTE, Artisans of the Emirates – will host its second Green Market, a unique shopping experience where the urban consumer can discover unconventional, hard-to-find arts and crafts, as well as supporting the environment by purchasing
one-of-a-kind, sustainable products from local artisans. The markets will feature locally handmade products including food, art, fashion and craft. Eating and buying local is an integral part in preserving our earth and world.

Moreover, many artisans are also using Earth Day to draw attention to their implementation of
year-round greener practices such as forgoing the use of plastic bags for alternatives such as fabric or paper bags.

Among others, Van Kleuren, a locally based GREEN home business, will introduce a fresh collection of eco-conscious products made from only biodegradable materials such as cotton fabric scraps and barley to create microwavable hot/cold compresses. Their collection also includes note books made from old cardboard boxes and used paper bags. The eco vendors go the extra mile with their stall display which is made entirely of driftwood and stones from the beach and old wooden fruit and vegetable carts.

Also present this Friday, will be Pets Plus, who are conducting a drawing contest, in conjunction with Times Square Center. Visitors are encouraged to bring their children, who will be able to participate in a drawing competition for a chance for their artworks to displayed in Times Square Center for public viewing. Children may choose from a variety of themes such as colouring a sea water scenery or drawing their favourite pets. The aim is to raise more awareness about animal welfare in the community from a grass root level.


Emirates Arthritis Foundation will be attending by hosting a special fund raising sale for a special selection of handmade items donated by volunteers and supporters of the organisation.

Emirates Arthritis Foundation Mission, works across the seven Emirates and many cultures with one objective which is to educate the growing population of the UAE about the realities of Arthritis. Please check out their website www.arthritis.ae



Moreover, Feline Friends a permanent fixture now at Times Square Center will continue with their fundraising secondhand book sale. They offer an environmentally friendly (and budget friendly) option to stocking your library with wonderful books. All books at the sale are donations from the community, and are in fair or good condition. Both fiction of all genres and nonfiction will be available.



About ARTE

ARTE, 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 nearly 2000 members, from at least 30 different countries, with items as diverse as contemporary silver jewellery, haute couture clothing, artistically designed cakes for special occasions, Waldorf dolls, pottery, crochet items, silk & wool felted scarves, hats & bags, photography and digital art plus painting styles ranging from oils, watercolours and acrylics to pencil drawings and 3D mixed media pieces. 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.

The ARTE markets are now the regular haunt for around 100 different vendors and continues to offer a relaxed family atmosphere with plenty of hands on mini workshops for the visitors to try out. For more information about ARTE, please contact us.

For media enquiries, interviews and high resolution images please contact:

Miriam Walsh or Paul Townsend
Co-Founders of Artisans of the Emirates
Tel: +971 50 4567481
E info@arte.ae
W www.arte.ae
FB www.facebook.com/UAE.ARTE
T www.twitter.com/UAEArte