The eighth edition of World Art Dubai returns this March

World Art Dubai (WAD), the region’s largest accessible and contemporary retail art fair, will return this March. Held over a sprawling 9,000 sq m space at the Dubai World Trade Centre, it will be conducted from March 16-19, 2022.

The eighth edition of the art fair, now a permanent fixture on Dubai’s thriving art calendar, will be its biggest event to date. World Art Dubai 2022 will host more than 4,000 artworks from over 300 renowned galleries and solo artists.

Around 60 per cent of the galleries present this year are participating for the first time. In 2021, there were 45 galleries. This year that number has increased to 120 from over 50 countries. These include around 120 local exhibitors and more than 180 international exhibitors.

The participating artists come from more than 40 countries including Canada, Slovenia, Belgium, Sweden, Singapore, Croatia, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, among others, each bringing their own cultural sensibilities to the fair and giving it a true global outlook.

One of the key aims of the art fair is to make art accessible across price points. To that end, the art on sale – which includes paintings, prints, sculptures, street and digital art too – starts at $100, though the pricier works will retail for as much as $20,000. WAD offers a range of art for private collectors, connoisseurs, corporates and first-time buyers.

If previous editions are anything to go by, WAD will feature renowned artists, galleries, alongside emerging artists and galleries too – giving the latter a level playing field that they would otherwise struggle to find at other global art fairs.

This year, WAD is being held under the theme of Unplug Yourself. To that end, it aims to offer visitors a space of inspiration and a marketplace which engages art collectors, art critics, investors, corporate art buyers, schools, universities, government cultural departments, hospitality brands and art lovers.

Among the many activations planned at WAD this year, it includes live talks, awards, art performances and workshops. Show experiences will range from NFT to art consultancy, and a dedicated programme for future artists will be held too. The WAD talks will feature several sessions specifically on NFTs and the metaverse – and its implications as well as opportunities to leverage the technology for both art buyers and the artists themselves. Corporate buyers take the spotlight at World Art Dubai too with WAD Talks, which include sessions on  hospitality , interior design. Importantly, the show has introduced a new VIP Tour as well.

There are live painting sessions on the floor of the exhibition too, which will give viewers an insight into the creative process followed by artists as they create their work. The performances at this year’s edition also include music and dance performances, but also interestingly a Japan Kimono Fashion Show and a Live VR Painting Performance. There will also be an artwear collection, with artist Samar Rafaat merging high-fashion with art. For tech enthusiasts, they can witness AI and machine learning come to the fore as robots create art on the premises of the fair too.

Positioned as an accessible event for all ages, children will be able to enjoy live pottery classes. Urban Art DXB meanwhile will remain one of the most popular features of the show with street artists turning walls into mesmerising works of art.

World Art Dubai will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Halls 1-3 from March 16-19, 2022 between 1-9pm each day, except Saturday, which runs until 8pm. Tickets cost Dhs20 for adults, Dhs10 for children, with family packages also available. Buy online to avail a 20 per cent discount on ticket cost.