March 16- Maraya Art Centre was inaugurated yesterday by Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, at Al Qasba.

Spread over a space of 1,500 square metres and three storeys high, the art centre will play host to exhibitions, cultural events and educational activities. "This collaboration involved people from a number of different social and academic backgrounds, and the result is a project that all of us take immense pride in sharing with the UAE society," said Marwan Jasem Al Sarkal, Chief Executive of Al Qasba Development Authority, during a press conference. "The ultimate goal is to nourish young talent and sustain a local platform for established artists to flourish within the region," he said. The three levels are based around different themes that will be complemented by the pieces on exhibit.

The first level is known as ‘The Shelter', the space for all those wishing to exhibit their multimedia installations. The second floor has a permanent exhibition titled ‘The House of Arab Art" while the top floor is a contemporary art gallery.