Press Coverage & Testimonials

Testimonials

Craft markets are in my blood. My father started his career selling accessories that my mother made, at the Amsterdam Markets and his passion and drive have stayed with me.

Through founding ARTE, I want to be an example for others to find the courage to turn their lives around by focussing on their own art and craft skills and then present their work in a friendly group of artisans. So many people find themselves lost in the UAE so very far away from home, friends and family. ARTE serves to be inspiring for such creative people.

Personally, ARTE has strengthened my confidence and given me the focus to develop my felt product lines. It has also given me a huge network of like minded people, many of these have developed into special relationships. My two mottos in life: 'IF I can, so can YOU', and 'Just Do It' are my anchors to my artisan friends in the UAE and two of my personal rules that I try to live by.

~~~Miriam Walsh, First Lady of Felt, and Co-founder of ARTE

I started out at ARTE as a very shy artist, progressed into salt dough sculptures and then ultimately into jewellery making. This journey of six years with ARTE has been a journey of self-discovery. Not only has my jewellery line evolved into unique crochet jewellery for weddings, but I’ve had the pleasure of wielding the pen and paper to cover many artisans in the media.

ARTE gave me the confidence to take the next step up the career ladder. Last year, I left a high flying corporate job to open my own writing and communications business. I recently have been asked to become the co-writer and presenter at the Creative Arab podcast platform. Without ARTE in my life, I would surely have become a languishing artist, starved of a creative outlet and a fabulous community of like-minded artisans.
~~~ Jan D’Sa, Owner of Janys De Couture & Founder of Artfashionjewelry blog

I am lucky to be a part of ARTE. Everyone is so thoughtful! I have met fellow vendors who take genuine interest in fellow arte-sans and never hesitate to share some valuable advice.
Being regular and committed to every Friday at Dubai Festival City has really helped me make several contacts. There were also a few occasions when people had another person using our products and liked it enough to come to our stall to buy one for themselves.

All thanks to ARTE. I cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled my mother is to see how popular her patchwork bags and Afghan tribal jewellery has become.

~~~ Rohini Nagu, on behalf of her mum Minakshi Ragu, Founder of Ragmatazz

Thank you for including my painting on the ARTE brochure. Also, because of ARTE my paintings are now in two galleries - Art house Gallery and Art Attack gallery. I am so happy that ARTE is part of my life.

~~~ Aldrie Acosta, painter

I am ARTE and ARTE makes me.
~~~ Nayla of Nina Jewellery

This is my second time at ARTE DFC this month and I have had very good response with regards to my crystal trees. This makes me feel extremely positive and I am in quite high spirits! Although i do realise that a lot of people are going away for hols, i still would like to participate and look forward to participating anyway.

Till then, you are all doing a great job and by giving us artists such a platform, you have resurrected the true ARTE spirit within us!

~~~ Sahar A, crystal tree artist

I am grateful to ARTE. It is through ARTE that I was discovered and offered my dream job!
~~~ Alvin Apolonio, Mural painter

Through ARTE, my confidence that my products are a show stopper, has increase. Customers do buy products that trigger their emotion and sentiments and that is very evident with the clocks, buttons and stickers that they are buying from my collection. Through ARTE, I have received orders for some corporate promos and events and one for a community club. I am just so happy and would like to thank ARTE for this opportunity as it has given me the right perspective on how I will go ahead with my business concept.

~~~Rowena, clock and button lady

Press

- 2010

July 2010

Gulf Today ('Artisans crafting their way forward,' featuring Ragmatazz, Toffee Princess and Sahar Ahmed)

Friday magazine, Souq Scan featuring product by Treva Imes

Gulf News Unwind ('An exquisite cut of heritage,' featuring Colin Roberts)

June 2010

May 2010

Friday magazine, Souq Scan featuring item by Judy Roberts

Friday magazine, Souq Scan featuring item by Ylanda

April 2010