An open invitation for UAE artists of all ages to design limited-edition bags that celebrate food, culture, and sustainability.
Dubai, UAE, June 2026: Waterfront Market, Dubai’s largest fresh food market, invites Dubai’s residents, schools, young creatives, and families to participate in ‘Carry What Matters,’ a community-driven challenge celebrating the power of food, culture, and sustainability aligned with the UAE’s wider ‘Proud of UAE’ spirit that honours local creativity, community, and shared identity. Participants are invited to design a limited-edition canvas bag that embodies the values of connection, sustainability, and creativity, while highlighting Waterfront Market’s role at the heart of Dubai’s food culture.
Residents are invited to explore the theme: Design a reusable bag that celebrates the UAE’s food culture, capturing the ingredients, traditions, and everyday moments that define how we shop, cook, and eat. Submissions are open from 21 May until 30 June, and the winning entry will take home a grand prize of AED 10,000. Participants can submit their design in A4 size via direct message on Instagram (@wfm.uae) or Facebook (@wfmuae), along with their name, age, and a short description of their inspiration.
A panel of judges will select the pieces that best capture UAE’s food culture, transforming them into premium, collectible canvas bags that people will want to keep and carry. To honour the creative voices of the city, each bag will include a permanent credit to the artist, making every piece a signature of the city.
The initiative will culminate in a reveal at Waterfront Market on 3rd July, to commemorate
‘International Plastic Bag Free Day’. Together, the collection stands as a tribute to the UAE’s rich food culture, creative spirit, and shared sense of community, carried forward through design reflecting the spirit of ‘Proud of UAE,’ expressed through design and carried forward by its people.
SUMMARY:
Waterfront Market Launches ‘Carry What Matters’ Community Design Campaign.
· How to enter: Submit your design on A4 size by sending it via direct message on Instagram (@wfm.uae) or Facebook (@wfmuae). Please include your name, age, and a short description of your inspiration.
· Community-driven design challenge: The Market invites residents, students, and artists to take part in designing limited-edition canvas bags centred on celebrating the power of food, culture, and sustainability aligned with the UAE’s wider ‘Proud of UAE’ spirit.
· Theme: Design a reusable bag that celebrates the UAE’s food culture, capturing the ingredients, traditions, and everyday moments that define how we shop, cook, and eat.
· Artist recognition: The selected design will win AED 10,000 and will be produced as high-quality canvas bags featuring a permanent credit line inside to honour the winning creators.
· Reveal in July: The curated collection will debut on 3 July at Waterfront Market in celebration of International Plastic Bag Free Day.
· Website: www.waterfrontmarket.ae
· Socials: Facebook @wfmuae | Instagram @wfm.uae