Arts Fair presents handcrafted local products

A creative products fair was held at Hong Kung Temple Square at 5 de Outubro Street over the weekend, which saw a number of Macau and Hong Kong artists gather to present their handcrafted designs and products to interested shoppers.
The event, entitled “Art Fair @5 Outubro Street”, was supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC). According to the government organizer, there were 36 booths selling handicrafts, food and beverages, textiles, and eco-friendly utensils.
One of the booths, run by local resident Helen Leung from the “Living Green Project”, sold tie-dyed products using all natural ingredients. She also sold ‘green’ cleaning items and other handmade beauty products.
Leung told the Times that one of her favorite colors used for the tie-dying originates from the bark of the lychee tree. She favors it because it produces a deep, rich red, which is then used to create colorful patterns on the scarves and bags she sells.
Another booth offered handmade soaps by an artisan company from Hong Kong, while a third showcased calligraphy done at the stall on red paper – typically bought in anticipation of the Chinese New Year.
At the next booth sat a young man who drew caricatures of well-known celebrities and personalities in Hong Kong and Macau. Among them was a framed picture of Chief Executive Chui Sai On surrounded by green paper bills in a scene reminiscent of former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who was showered with fake currency at a press conference last year.
A woman, who identified herself only as Elizabeth, showcased hand-painted glass bottles; many of them adorned with colorful flowers.
“While the others are selling their products as a business, I am giving the proceeds [from my booth] to the Macau Autism Association,” she told the Times.
Elizabeth added that she had invited autistic children to participate in the glass painting and other artistic creations, which she said they generally enjoyed.
The IC declared that the event was envisioned to help develop creative and cultural industries in Macau. They hope to inspire local residents to take up arts and crafts as a part of the effort to diversify the economy of the MSAR.
The fair will be returning to Hong Kung Temple Square four times over the next six months: February 13 – 14; March 12 – 13; April 9 -10; and June 11 – 12. Staff reporter