World Art Dubai will feature more than 3,000 artworks – paintings, sculptures and photographs – costing from $100 to $10,000 at its upcoming event in April in Dubai, UAE.

Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 6 to 9, the second edition of World Art Dubai will present artworks from more than 140 local, regional and international artists and galleries from 30 countries worldwide.

Feeding the Middle East’s growing appetite for art and underlining Dubai’s prominence in the international art scene, World Art Dubai is returning with a powerful message that global contemporary and accessible art is affordable and readily available for every wall.

The latest report by ArtTactic, an art market analysis firm, demonstrated how momentum is building in the Middle Eastern modern and contemporary art market, with sales rising to $14 million in the spring of 2015, an increase of more than 71.4 per cent year on year.

One of its key aims as the Middle East’s leading affordable art fair is to support artists in showcasing fresh and contemporary work to feed the rising demand for art in the UAE and across the region.

This year’s event sees an expanded programme of activities and features including a private preview programme for VIPs and collectors.

Among the players representing the UAE are Cross Borders Gallery, which works to erase geographical borders and social differences through the medium of art, and Andakulova Gallery, which aims to promote Central Asia’s contemporary visual arts. They will share the stage with international galleries from countries such as Singapore, Spain, France and Japan.

Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC, said: “Our aim with World Art Dubai is to support artists and educate the public that art can be affordable and not just open to a certain niche audience. This is a unique chance for visitors to be exposed to a diverse collection of local and international pieces and find and buy art for their own walls, regardless of what their budget might be.”

Activities and features will include a live painting area, where visitors will see art come to life right in front of them, and a variety of talks and workshops for participants to immerse themselves fully in the art-making process.

There will also be an art installation zone showcasing how art can transform the perception of a space. An array of art installations, a VIP Preview and an Affordable Art Wall will also be showcased in addition to an exciting entertainment line-up with food trucks and hip F&B options.

The event has partnered with the widely- acclaimed International Emerging Artist Award which becomes the official Award Partner. Now in its fourth edition, this award is dedicated to emerging artists in order to provide them with support and career opportunities and this year’s winners will be unveiled on the fair's opening day.

World Art Dubai has also entered into partnership with Repton School, one of the leading educational communities in the world. As the official school partner, Repton will assist in running an inter-school art competition for students, ‘Urban Dubai’, across the city’s range of junior and senior schools. – TradeArabia News Service