Artful way to draw in shoppers

THE island's artists are attracting thousands of shoppers to Adliya's popular dining district by showcasing their talents in a unique market-place atmosphere.

The next outdoor art and cultural Market 338, named after the area where it is staged, opens again tomorrow and Friday after its successful launch earlier this month.

The fortnightly event is being organised by the Al Riwaq Art space and more than 20 stalls feature a variety of paintings, photographs, glass and ceramic work, dolls, jewellery, handicrafts, traditional delicacies, cakes, books, clothes and graffiti art.

Market 338, sponsored by the Economic Development Board, is aimed at attracting local talent and providing a space to showcase and sell their work until April.

Hobbyist Rita Bassil displayed her mosaic and ceramic art alongside friend Loraine Todd who showcased glass art at the inaugural session.

Rita, 40, a housewife from Saar, said: 'I have been living in Bahrain for 10 years and for the past seven months I have been taking ceramic art classes. This was my first exhibition.'

Loraine, 51, an employee at the Amiri court from Awali, is no stranger to the kingdom's art scene. She said: 'As friends we both influence each other through different media and this is a good way to expose our work.'

Young graffiti artists Mahmood Al Shargam and Mohammed Al Aabar welcomed visitors to their stall 'Mythicolo G' with T-shirts portraying some of their intricate work.

Mahmood, 22, from Manama, said: 'We scaled down our work to make it available to enthusiasts to wear and the T-shirts have proved popular.'

Visitors have also been impressed with the market. James and Renee Wyatt stumbled across it on their way to dinner. Mr Wyatt, 50, who works with the US Navy, said: 'We have been here a year and a half and this is the first time we are seeing something like this. This is a great attraction.'

Art enthusiast Janet Williams, a tutor at Bahrain Polytechnic, said: 'I think it's a wonderful idea. The local crafts people have added to the ambience of the area.'

Well-known Bahrain-based artist and art teacher Manuella Mavromichalis visited the market with her husband Mark Makhlouf and friend Tessa O'Neil. She said: 'This is an amazing step forward, the presentation is great. Some of the work is fabulous - it is a great showcase.'

Mrs O'Neil, 45, a housewife from Adliya, suggested the inclusion of traditional music might add to the ambiance and organisers have taken note.

In a bid to attract even more visitors a traditional Arabic band, also known as 'Laiwa', will be providing entertainment alongside pottery makers, basket weavers and henna painters. These special additions are being organised in co-ordination with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Yasser Al Hawaj, project manager said: 'We saw a high turnout on the first day with nearly 2,000 people passing by. We have even got a guest book where people have given us a lot of positive feedback.'

Director and owner of the Al Riwaq Art Space, Bayan Kanoo, said she was also pleased with the response, adding: 'We have received excellent feedback. People really enjoyed themselves and were able to discover something different.'

Good causes have also benefitted from its success. The Omnia Group, a charitable organisation held a thrift stall run by Rasha Khunji and Layla Janahi which attracted hundreds of bargain-hunters. Rasha, owner of the Dazzled Cup Cakes from Riffa, said: 'We gathered good quality items and sold them to collect money to help orphans.'

Following this coming weekend the market will also be staged on February 10, 11, 24 and 25, March, 10, 11, 24 and 25 and April 14, 15, 28 and 29. Timings are 5pm to 10pm on the first day and from 10am to 10pm the next day.