Connecting Arab artists to the international market
Ehab Shanti, the founder of Alhoush.com, has created the Middle East’s premier online marketplace for regional artists to display and sell their products. Alhoush empowers these Arab artists and designers around a common cultural and commercial space, connecting them to the global market and to each other while serving as a catalyst for the development of the Arab innovation economy. The website has already attracted over 320 artists from around region, with a focus on artists working in areas of particular conflict or economic distress, including Gaza, the West Bank, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria.
In addition to its online presence, Shanti has also organized a series of cultural events which seek to promote its artists, illustrated by the Alhoush expo planned for October 2013 in Marseilles, France. These expositions give Alhoush’s artists access to global markets and a unique level of exposure on the international stage. Alhoush also provides a portal for various community organizations and cooperative businesses, such as the Jordan River Foundation, to sell their artworks and handicrafts online.
Ehab stresses the impact Alhoush has had on the newest generation of female artists in the Middle East. The majority of the artists and designers featured on Alhoush are women, a testament to their increasing presence in the creative sector and Alhoush’s dedication to creating an inclusive space for all artists regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion.