Artisans of the Emirates – was founded in 2005 by Miriam Walsh a feltmaker, and Paul Townsend a silversmith, both experienced artisans regularly featuring at the fayres 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.

In September 2005 (supported by the Crowne Plaza - Holiday Centre), 30 artisans held their first ARTE soukh. ARTE has seen a rapid increase in membership since then, it now boasts over 1000 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 3-d mixed media pieces. The soukhs offer the ideal venue for gift buyers, or those just looking for locally made quality art and crafts as a lasting memory of the Arabian region.

In 2006 Soukh venues were increased and ARTE then showcased also at various other locations in Dubai, for instance The Green Community, Sezzam in the Mall of the Emirates and the Art House Gallery.

 In 2007 ARTE moved to Al Ghazal Mall, and celebrated the beginning of its third season with a brand new logo, to help underline the modern, vibrant, multi-national character of the group.

In 2008 ARTE moved again and settled in the Times Square Center mall on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The partnership proved to be very beneficial to all parties with an excellent space for the vendor stalls and great underground free parking. ARTE also receives support from amazing artisans: Jan D’Sa ARTEs freelance writer and consequently ARTE is regularly featured in the local press as well as Tamer & Feroz, ARTEs freelance photographers who help the artisans with images of their work for the ARTE on-line store http://www.artedubai.etsy.com. ARTEs PAPER@ARTE corner is supported by Creative Hands, the scrapbook making store in Dubai as well as Mr Ben’s Fancy Dress closet shop.

 ARTE supports many charities such as Feline Friends who have a huge secondhand book stall, Al Ishan Ajman charity, various charities in Kenia, Turkey and Nepal, as well as the Dhakar Project.

The ARTE Art & Craft soukh is now the regular haunt for around 100 different vendors each month, drawing 1000s of visitors to each event, but remains the family atmosphere for a fun afternoon out with plenty of hands on arts for the visitors to try out themselves.

 To find out when the next soukhs is please check out our calendar here www.arte.ae/calendar.html, we would love to see you there.