When? January 13, 14 to April | Event? Outdoor market | Venue? Block 338, Adliya

Al Riwaq Art Space will host an outdoor arts and crafts market this month. Good food, great weather and creative art… now that’s what we call a perfect day out!

There will be much more than just good food and great times to be held at the fabled Block 338 in Adliya this month. Bahrain’s favourite restaurant district is going to take on an ‘arty’ atmosphere and transform itself into a hub of arts and crafts for four days this month.

Aptly named ‘Market 338’, it will promote upcoming artists and designers from Bahrain who can showcase and sell their works through it.

A market of this kind is being held for the first time in Bahrain; a lot of planning and thought has gone into it.

Say the organisers, “This project has been under development for the past year and will finally come to be realised this January. We believe in pushing boundaries with art, design and craft and that is what we encourage the participants to showcase.”

The venue chosen cannot get any better. A favourite for Bahrainis and expatriates alike, the famous restaurant district is populated with restaurants such as Zoe’s, Mirai, Cafe Lilou, Cafe La Ventana, Coco’s, Hash House and Thailand Restaurant among others.

Visitors will be able to browse through some highly creative art, craft, food, jewellery, accessories and photographs, and much more at 20 stalls put up in the area. Organisers will screen the participants closely to ensure that guests get to sample the best that Bahrain has to offer.

Market 338 will be located just outside Al Riwaq Art Space and will stretch all the way to Century Restaurant, allowing for those exhibiting to be a part of the very first young, trendy and creative outdoor market in Bahrain.

“Al Riwaq Art Space’s main target is to encourage and promote Bahraini designers and artists to exhibit and sell their works through the market. This will also enable Bahrainis to take their talents seriously and to pursue careers out of their creativity and skills. We are also allowing 15 per cent of the participants to be Bahrain-based or international designers, so everyone is welcome to apply.”

There are plans to run the market throughout the winter months — from January through to April, with the market will be held twice a month. It is planned to run alongside Valentine’s Day, Formula 1, The Spring of Culture, Mother’s Day and Easter. “The participants can match their items to go along with these festivities and events so that visitors to Bahrain get an idea about our culture and people can also do their shopping here.” Visit www.alriwaqartspace.com