19 artists with 55 paintings back Sharjah charity

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

A group of 19 artists from different backgrounds have showcased their artworks as part of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) exhibition held at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah.

The exhibition was organised by The Art for All Centre (Falaj) of SCHS with the participation of 19 artists of people with disabilities and non-disabled people. They showcased 55 paintings that represent a bridge of communication and integration, which represents one of the most important goals that the city is working to achieve in cooperation with partners in accordance with international best practices.

Muhammad Bakr, the Centre’s Supervisor, has emphasised the importance of the exhibition, artistically and socially, through the informative message the gallery wants to convey. In addition, it aims to strengthen and consolidate the self-confidence of persons with disabilities through a sense of equality and fair competition between them and their non-disabled peers, based on quality and mastery of work without any other considerations.

He explained that the Art for All Centre, under the directives of Sheikha Jamila Bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Director General of the city, began a year ago to provide its services in various fields of arts for non-disabled people as well. This provided more opportunities to integrate its members with disabilities with their colleagues and share experiences.

He added, “The centre, which the city established in March 2017, currently provides its services to nearly 100 artists of different nationalities from people with and without disabilities in the fields of plastic arts, performing arts and music.”

Since its establishment to this day, more than 830 people have benefited from the services of the centre such as lectures and art workshops. The centre has also participated in many competitions and art exhibitions inside and outside the country.

Bakr praised the fruitful cooperation between Falaj and all parties keen to educate the community and support persons with disabilities in all fields.

He also indicated the centre’s readiness for a huge theatrical show next July starring people with disabilities. The city will film the show using cinematic technology so that the public can watch it.

Artists with and without disabilities participating in the exhibition were so happy going through this experience and with the public turnout of the exhibition. They stressed their readiness to participate in future exhibitions.