For those who have a penchant for unique craftwork, there are only two markets left before the QatArt Handmade Community takes its usual respite before the summer season kicks-in.
The group regularly holds the “Katara QatArt Handmade Market” at the Katara Art Studios Courtyard - Building 19, which has now become its home. The remaining markets for the first quarter of the year will be on March 25 and April 8 from 3pm to 8pm.
The market is the ideal venue to shop for special handcrafted products such as paintings, home decor, assorted jewellery and other trinkets, cushions, frames, quilts, soaps, dolls, baby clothes and greeting cards, among others.
The group, on the other hand, is composed mostly of stay-home mums, retired expatriates, creative couples, artists and hobbyists, who have banded together to form what they consider as a “handmade community.”
Currently, QatArt Handmade Community has 57 members from countries such as Qatar, Russia, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Spain, Pakistan, Thailand, China, Bahrain, and Egypt, among others.
QatArt external events co-ordinator Janiththri Perera told Gulf Times that the group receives applications from prospective members on a “daily” basis. However, applicants undergo a stringent selection and evaluation process to guarantee that the artist produces only handcrafted works.
This was reiterated by membership coordinator Leila Khaleeji, who stressed that the group’s board of officers “look for diversity and uniqueness” in the artist and from his or her craft.
“We do not resell existing or commercially-available products in the handmade market, which is why the designs of an applicant and our members must be genuine,” Khaleeji emphasised.
She noted that QatArt aims to introduce diversity and different cultures to the Qatari market, which is synonymous to the objectives of Katara.
“Since our objectives reflect those of Katara’s, they have offered us to hold regular markets and workshops in their premises, which we really appreciate because it provides our members an avenue to showcase skills and express their art,” she added.
QatArt board member, Swapna Namboodiri, said QatArt is not only a market but a community comprised of team-oriented artists, who are willing to share their skills and knowledge in art with others.
“Being an expatriate in Qatar, the work we produce carries with it our own identities and culture. When people patronise our products and take them back to their home countries, our culture also travels to another part of the world,” Namboodiri said.
She added: “Even if people don’t buy from us, a mere compliment motivates us to become more creative and passionate with our craft. This form of encouragement helps us elevate this platform to a different level.”