Unique initiative launched as a platform for display of artworks by people with special needs

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) yesterday (Wednesday) hosted the launch of a unique initiative to encourage and support the artistic talent of people with special needs.

“Beautiful People”, a social and sustainable coffee concept that encourages people with special needs to develop their artistic talent by supporting sustainable art studios, announced the launch of a dedicated website, www.beautifulpeople.ae today at the DIFC. Endorsed by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and supported by the DIFC, the website will feature 40 works of art themed “H2O” that have been designed by people with special needs from The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and the UAE. People are encouraged to visit the website and vote for their favorite work of art. The 12 works of art with the most votes will be used for the new coffee crockery collection, “H2O”, from “Beautiful People.”

Abdulla Al Awar, Chief Executive Officer of the DIFC Authority, welcomed the initiative: “We are proud to partner with ‘Beautiful People’ for the launch of the website and competition. At the DIFC, we believe that art inspires the business community to look at things in a different way, stimulating fresh ideas and approaches and ‘Beautiful People’ is an organisation that inspires others through their work.

“By allowing people with special needs to explore and develop their artistic talent, ‘Beautiful People’ integrates art within social and economic life. This directly aligns with DIFC’s vision of strengthening the integration of art and society within Dubai,” he added.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Projects Officer at the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), was equally supportive. “This is a unique concept that celebrates the skills of people with special needs and engages them in the mainstream society. It allows them the freedom to be creative and be recognized and rewarded for their talent.

“This is exactly what the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority has been striving to achieve – to involve all, without exception, to participate in the renaissance of the cultural scene in the region and to build a centre for cultural and artistic excellence in Dubai,” Al Nabouda added.

Visitors to the website that vote stand to win exciting prizes such as two KLM airline tickets to Brussels, Amsterdam or Zurich with accommodation at the Movenpick Hotel; five beauty salon vouchers; art boxes from the “H2O” coffee crockery collection and artworks from the “H2O” collection.

The aim of “Beautiful People” is to establish a sustainable art studio in Dubai, which will act as a platform for people with special needs to develop their artistic talents.

“Having worked for many years with people with special needs, I would like to contribute to the UAE community by establishing an art studio dedicated especially to these unique people,” said Wemmy de Maaker, Director, “Beautiful People” - UAE. “The studio will assist people with special needs to integrate into society whilst developing their artistic talents. We invite people from the private and business communities to acquire products designed by those with a special need to help us raise much needed revenue for this wonderful initiative.”

 “Beautiful People” is a social and sustainable coffee concept that offers the business community and private individuals a unique coffee experience. The organisation sells coffee machines and art boxes for coffee crockery that feature artwork designed by people with special needs as well as fair trade coffee originating from the Costa Rica rainforest.

Through revenue generated from the sale of these items, “Beautiful People” supports art studios where people with special needs can develop their artistic talent whilst receiving professional guidance. The idea is to encourage consumers to buy in to a unique concept with original products where they have the opportunity to differentiate themselves by supporting an important contribution to society within the scope of social returns. “Beautiful People” organisation was established in Holland in 2007.