Exhibit highlights Hazara's artistic talent

Features paintings, calligraphy and works of emerging, established artists

ABBOTTABAD:

A vibrant art exhibition organised by the Abbottabad Academy of Performing Arts (AAPA) renewed optimism among artists, students, and art enthusiasts across Hazara Division, underscoring the region's rich creative talent and the growing need for dedicated cultural platforms.

Held at Jalal Baba Auditorium in collaboration with the Hazara Abaseen Arts Council, the event combined the Art Line Academy certificate distribution ceremony with a large-scale exhibition featuring paintings, calligraphy, and creative works by both established and emerging artists from across Hazara.

Visitors described the exhibition as a refreshing and long-awaited cultural initiative, noting that it was the first time in several years that artists from different districts of Hazara had been able to showcase their work collectively under one roof in Abbottabad.

Calligrapher Imama Rizwan highlighted the importance of such a platform within the region, saying artists previously had to travel to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other major cities to exhibit their work. She said the exhibition reflected the immense creative potential of young artists and demonstrated their ability to express contemporary ideas through art.

Chief guest and renowned artist Nasir Shahzad praised the initiative, stating that it showcased the abundance of artistic talent in Hazara. He said artists require guidance, mentorship, and opportunities rather than motivation alone, describing AAPA as a meaningful step towards building a sustainable artistic ecosystem.

Senior artist and Vice President of the Hazara Abaseen Arts Council, Qazi Zubair, commended the organisers for bringing established and emerging artists together on a single platform. He said such initiatives help project a positive image of Abbottabad and strengthen the cultural identity of the region.

Veteran artist Parvez Khan expressed delight at exhibiting his work among local audiences after nearly five decades of showcasing art across Pakistan. He described the experience as fulfilling a long-held aspiration and encouraged young people to pursue visual arts for creativity, personal development, and emotional expression.

AAPA Executive Director Safdar Hussain said the academy was established to create a shared platform for artists, students, and cultural practitioners to collaborate and grow. He noted that more than a dozen artists participated in the inaugural exhibition, while public response indicated strong demand for cultural activities in the region.

He further announced plans to launch a series of performing and creative arts programmes aimed at providing training, mentorship, and opportunities for young artists at regional and national levels.