Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding Announces the completion of its 2nd annual ‘Treasures of the UAE' Art Competition

[Dubai, UAE] –27, November 2013 – In the celebration of this year's UAE 42nd National Day, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) are pleased to announce the successful completion of their 2013 “Treasures of the UAE “ Art Competition.

In total, 283 pieces of artwork were submitted by students from 61 schools across the UAE capturing the essence of the UAE's famous historical sites and landmarks.

24 winners have been selected by prominent regional artists Nasir Nasrallah, Khalil Abdul Wahid and Basem Al Sayer in collaboration with the Emirates Fine Arts Society. An invitation only Award Ceremony will be held on Monday 2nd December including a private Cultural Lunch followed by a Heritage Tour of the Al Fahidi Historic District. The winning artists will receive their prize and have their work printed in an exclusive Treasures of the UAE 2013 Calendar sponsored by Nestle, Wild Wadi, Pepsi, and Jones Lang LaSalle.

All winning artwork will be displayed in a bespoke Exhibition at the SMCCU Heritage House in the Al Fahidi Historic District of Dubai open to members of the public from Tuesday 3rd December 2013 to Sunday 5th January 2014.

All submitted artwork may be viewed in an exclusive online gallery published on the SMCCU website; http://www.cultures.ae/index.php/art-competition

Nasif Kayed Managing Director of the SMCCU commented: “UAE's historic monuments and landscapes stand here to remind us of our roots, traditions and the UAE's great history. This initiative strives to uncover a new interpretation of these historical landmarks from the next generation residing in the UAE, encouraging creativity combined with historic knowledge.”

About Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding: The SMCCU is a non-profit organisation located in the Al Fahidi Historic District established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Centre operates under the philosophy “Open Doors. Open Minds.” striving to remove barriers between people of different nationalities and raise awareness of the local culture, customs and religion of the UAE.