Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM) has announced an art exhibition, to be held as part of the upcoming Maldives Marine Expo 2017.
Submissions for the first Maldives Marine Expo Art Gallery, organised in association with the National Centre for the Arts (NCA), are open until September 7. Entries are accepted in three categories: 12-16 years, 16 years and above, and professional.
Event organiser Blak Pvt Ltd said photography, digital art, illustrations, paintings, collages and drawings are eligible for the exhibition, if they fall under three set themes: future of energy in the Maldives, cleaner and bluer, and ocean life.
According to Blak, artworks would be judged by the NCA and displayed at the Maldives Marine Expo, scheduled to take place from September 9-11 at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in capital Male. Visitors and interested parties would be able to purchase the artworks on display, with all proceeds raised from the purchases to be donated to a local NGO working for the sustainability of the Maldivian environment, it added.
“Maldives Marine Expo Art Gallery was created to give artists a platform to display their skills, as well as to increase awareness of the potential methods of recycling and help develop a consciousness to move towards environment sustainability,” an announcement by Blak read.
Meanwhile, cash prizes will be awarded to the winner in each of the three categories.
Held annually since 2013, Maldives Marine Expo is the official exhibition of LAM, and serves as a platform for local boating industry professionals to meet and connect with their peers from around the world. It provides boat owners as well as suppliers to explore new business opportunities and partnerships, and collaborate with organisations that represent the boating industries of other countries.
Exhibitors include a wide range of businesses, including trade representatives, marine equipment suppliers and service providers. It also extends to resort developers and real estate agents as well as companies that provide telecommunication services, technology solutions, banking, financing and insurance services.
Over 32 exhibitors, including suppliers from China, Egypt, India, Russia, Sri Lanka, UAE and the US attended last year’s expo, which was held in the satellite town of Hulhumale.
Founded in 2007, LAM represents liveaboards operating in the Maldives and helps them expand their businesses through lobbying and promotional efforts.