Take to the Streets

Created by Dominican-born figurative painter and street artist, Elio Mercado, the series of paintings was completed together with his team across five weeks during which they battled soaring temperatures, high humidity and sand storms. Each painting depicts an iconic cultural scene or pastime, such as Emirati women weaving palm fronds, the serving of Arabic coffee and a young boy walking a camel. AL RAHA BEACH This impressive 600-metre mural runs parallel to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street in the UAE capital. Part of an intriguing collection of street paintings by a team of international artists, it pays homage to the UAE's heritage and unique Bedouin traditions.

CITY WALK Aiming to draw both residents and visitors into the conversation around art, Dubai Walls – an initiative created to promote street art in the region – invited 16 renowned street artists to work their magic on the walls of City Walk, a trendy retail and leisure space.

Representing five different continents, artists from various backgrounds brought this urban destination to life with a host of compelling artworks. Look out for designs by Eelus, a British artist who temporarily overtook Banksy to grab the top spot for the fastest-selling art print. Works by the controversial fine art and street artist, Ron English, who coined the term POPaganda, are also on display. Don't miss the popular Dubai-themed pieces created by Nick Walker, one of the world's foremost street artists.

KARAMA A well-known stretch of old Dubai, the bustling streets of Karama received a vibrant facelift when eight street artists were invited to perk up some of its previously plain buildings. Now featuring a total of 24 brightly coloured murals across 12 apartment buildings, the spot offers everything from three-dimensional artworks to abstract animals.

DUBAI STREET MUSEUM Part of the city's efforts to transform some of its streets into an open-air gallery, the first phase of the Dubai Street Museum saw 2nd December Street transformed by a collection of 16 paintings highlighting local arts and culture.

Spearheaded by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, Dubai Street Museum will aim to implement several phases over the space of five years. This first initiative features an eclectic variety of playful images, including Emirati children in traditional outfits.

JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE Part of the #WOWJBR campaign to enhance Dubai’s most popular beachfront promenade, Jumeirah Beach Residence was completely transformed by a variety of imaginative graffiti art and street installations.

Designed to engage the community, the project added a dash of colour to the already lively, family-friendly vibe that the area is known for. Some whimsical creations almost seem to pop out from the walls, including sea monsters and exotic wildlife painted along the bustling streets. It's a colourful reminder of the UAE's thriving cultural scene.