Budding artists showcase painting skills

Competition aims to foster creativity among youth

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Arts Council hosted divisional-level competitions for the inaugural Punjab Painting Competition 2024 on Thursday, where emerging artists showcased their talents. Winners from district-level contests in Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree, and Rawalpindi participated in the event.

Rawalpindi Assistant Commissioner Coordination Shabana Nazir presided over the prize distribution ceremony as the chief guest.

In her address to the participants, Nazir emphasised the significance of writers and painters as unique expressions of nature.

“Writers convey their thoughts through words, expressing with blood and emotions, while painters use colours to reflect nature, emotions, and societal realities.” Nazir congratulated the successful children and highlighted the role of painters in bringing people closer to nature.

Deputy Director Muhammad Shakoor underscored the innate human passion for creation, leading to various artistic expressions. He praised Pakistani painters for their confidence, conviction, and awareness in their work, noting how young artists transfer the themes of their surroundings onto canvases.

The painting competition aimed to cultivate a climate of creative growth among the youth, providing a platform for artists to showcase their talents.

Judges Ahmed Habib, Saima Amir, and Zarar Haider Babri evaluated the participants. Sara Hafeez, Abdul Hadi, and Aymen Azmat Butt secured the first, second, and third positions, respectively, in the Rawalpindi division competitions. The chief guest distributed cheques and appreciation certificates to the winners. The provincial-level competition is scheduled to take place at the Open Air Theater in Lahore on March 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2024.