Young artists shine on global stage

Exhibit showcases talents of students from over eight countries

ISLAMABAD:

Over 350 art enthusiasts, including students, parents, and school administrators, attended the inauguration of the 10th Art for Change – International Child Art Exhibition – at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), Islamabad.

Curated by Sidra Ali, art educationist and co-founder of Discovering New Artists (DNA), the event showcased the talents of schoolchildren aged 4-15 from over eight countries under the theme of ‘biodiversity’.

In collaboration with HBL, the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT), Bluebird Arts, and the PNCA, DNA launched this exhibition at Gallery 5 of PNCA, Islamabad on Friday.

The inauguration ceremony, attended by families, participants, and art enthusiasts, featured the distribution of prizes, certificates, and medals to the talented young artists. Guest of Honours, Zaira Zaka (senior artist and art educationist) and Irfan Qureshi (Head of Transaction & Employee Banking at HBL) graced the ceremony.

Speaking at the occasion, Mujtaba Zaidi, Founder and Director of DNA, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to providing equal access to arts education for all through projects like Art for Change and The Art for Change Atelier.

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These initiatives empower young learners aged 4-18 from diverse economic backgrounds to develop creativity, open-mindedness, and confidence in addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global issues through their art.

The exhibition, which opened in Lahore on January 26, 2024, will continue its journey with the next show scheduled to open in Karachi on February 16, 2024. DNA operates as a youth-led social enterprise, fostering creative learning opportunities for children from both private and low-income sectors through its innovative one-for-one model.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2024.