KOTA KINABALU: Galleria Artisan here, owned by Yayasan Sabah Group and managed by Kristal Handal Sdn Bhd has been the platform for local handicraft entrepreneurs to promote their products and boost their income.
The gallery located at Block A, Sabah State Administrative Centre complex serves as a one-stop collection, retail and exhibition centre for high-quality handicraft products including batik and paintings by local artists throughout the state.
Kristal Handal manager, Nuratiqah Sabrin said every craft product found at the gallery has its own uniqueness and aesthetic value, that embodies the inspiration and artistic motives of the different ethnic craft heritage in Sabah.
She said the handicrafts marketed at the gallery are exclusive products and the quality would surely meet the satisfaction of both local and foreign visitors.
“Here we are able to appreciate the craft heritage of various ethnic groups in Sabah such as the Murut, Dusun and Rungus. Over 100 handicraft entrepreneurs are marketing their products at the gallery,” she told Bernama here.
A live demonstration section has also been provided to allow visitors take a closer look of the artists at work, she added.
Nuratiqah is confident that visitors will be captivated as soon as they see the beautiful interior design and wide selection of products sold at
affordable prices.
Meanwhile, Nurina Tawa, 37, a craftswoman from Matunggong, Kudat said Galleria Artisan has helped boost the sales of her handicraft products such as her innovative tops (gasing) made from woven ribu-ribu (a type of local fern) and vases.
“I am a housewife and producing handicrafts is the only way I could help to increase my family earnings as well as develop my potential,” she said.
The 704.2 square metre gallery has been renovated at a cost of RM2 million allocated by Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera unit (Teeraju) and three sections have been alloted for handicrafts, batik and paintings.
Galleria Artisan operates from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. –Bernama
