Open arts market launched in Hayya Jeddah fest

An open arts market has been organized as part of the ongoing Hayya Jeddah festival activities and is expected to attract more than half a million visitors, an official of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) said recently.
“The arts market at the beach in the outer square of the Red Sea Mall is expected to attract more than 35,000 visitors daily,” acting Secretary-General of JCCI Hassan Dahlan said in a statement.
More than 100 Saudi artists will participate in the two-week event.
The stalls in the market will cover various art genres including painting, photography, accessory designs, calligraphy and handicrafts, said Dahlan.
The market aims to encourage and support Saudi artists besides giving them an opportunity to exhibit and sell their work in a festive atmosphere, emulating the practice in many Western cities, he said, adding that he expected the souk would be one of the most popular events in the festival.
The market will allocate space for artists to display and familiarize their work to the visitors, as well as encouraging the young artists.
A number of expensive prize draws will also be organized along the sidelines of the art market. The prizes include six cars, cash prizes and thousands of other items at a total cost of SR 2 million, he said.
The Hayya Jeddah festival has already attracted a huge number of visitors and local tourists, who have almost occupied all the hotel rooms and rented apartments in the city and flocked to amusement centers, said Muhammad bin Mansour Al-Saed, director of the Jeddah Marketing Center.
Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras formally inaugurated the festival on behalf of Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed on Jan.14.
The prize draws will take place at prominent malls such as Mall of Arabia, Haifa Mall, Tahliya Mall, Serafi Mega Mall and Jeddah Exhibition Center on different days, a local newspaper reported yesterday.
The festival, which will last until Feb.7, seeks to promote Jeddah as a premier tourism destination for Saudis and Arabs alike.