DUBAI.-The first-ever DIFC Gulf Art Fair has been deemed an outright success by the organizers as well as participating galleries and artists. More than 9,000 visitors from a range of nationalities toured the DIFC Gulf Art Fair during private patrons’ previews and two public viewing days. Forty new galleries have already applied for next year’s event, effectively doubling the size of the DIFC Gulf Art Fair for 2008.

His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai recently reveled his vision and strategy focusing on his vision for the people of the nation and the environment around them. His Highness also indicated that education and art is the main focus. Sheikh Mohammed’s drive to enrich the art and culture scene and activities that add to the human life will start to pay off already.”

“The initial DIFC Gulf Art Fair has exceeded our expectations on every front - in terms of the international interest, attendance, and overwhelmingly positive response from the regional and global arts communities. We have achieved our stated objective to create an event that enables a meaningful dialogue and arts exchange between East and West,” said His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor, DIFC.

Proceeds from the DIFC Gulf Art Fair’s ticket sales plus a charity auction raised approximately $500,000 on behalf of the Prince’s Drawing School and Al Madad Foundation for START, a project to fund children’s art workshops in deprived communities.

The inaugural DIFC Gulf Art Fair has also had a galvanizing effect on the UAE’s burgeoning community of galleries. The B21 gallery in Dubai reported that it sold all 18 of the Jeffar Khaldi works on display at an exhibition held concurrently with the DIFC Gulf Art Fair.

“The DIFC Gulf Art Fair has generated an extraordinary response - one that appropriately mirrors the growth and potential of the Middle East’s arts landscape. We will build on the success of this year’s event to present a broader range of public arts projects, galleries and artworks, and educational programmes for the DIFC Gulf Art Fair 2008,” said Mr. John Martin, Director of DIFC Gulf Art Fair.