Abu Dhabi is home to several reputable galleries featuring interesting exhibitions of local art and traditional Arabian artefacts. The Folklore Gallery on Khalidiya Street (+971 2 666 0361) is a great place to browse displays of local pottery and art, and has an excellent framing service. Hemisphere Design Studio & Gallery (Khalifa Street, +971 2 676 8614) is an independent gallery showcasing works by local artists. Gallery One, inside Qaryat Al Beri, has a range of beautiful photographs and artwork that can be printed onto canvas and mounted, or rolled up into a suitcase friendly tube (+971 2 558 1822).
Barakat Gallery (+971 2 690 8950) specialises in ancient art with genuine antiquities from China, Egypt, the Near East, Africa, Greece and Rome. Based in Emirates Palace Hotel, items vary widely and include statues, jewellery, coins, necklaces and pottery.
The funky Ghaf Art Gallery (+971 2 665 5332) stages exhibitions showcasing local and also sometimes international artists, with new talent regularly exhibiting. The gallery is on Khaleej Al Arabi Street, near Khalidiyah Gardens in Abu Dhabi.
Salwa Zeidan Gallery (+971 2 666 9656) in Khalidiya (Khaleej Al Arabi Street) serves as a contemporary art space for international and Middle Eastern artists and emerging talents. The gallery is open Sunday through Thursday from 9am to 7pm.