Mussarat Yasmin Abid (right) guides a student.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

In a display of inclusivity, empowerment, equality and creativity, Funun Arts Group, in collaboration with Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre, organised (May 25) the initiative Joining Hands. The live painting event brought together artists and students with diverse abilities from the Manzil Center in Sharjah, to create a series of shared masterpieces, reinforcing the theme Only One Earth.

Funun Arts Group is known for its commitment to community service and has been harnessing the power of art for the past nine years to address pressing social and environmental issues. The Group is in partnership with Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre for the past three years, with both organisations sharing a commitment to promote sustainability. Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre is a recipient of the prestigious Green Key award.

Joining Hands commenced with a welcome extended to ten talented students from Manzil Center. The students, each blessed with unique abilities, joined forces with ten distinguished and established artists to create ten extraordinary masterpieces of art.

Participating students included Asma Shemaz, Dhiren Bhatia, Keerthana Vikas, Khairya Sajid, Kodeeshwaran, M. Chandra, Mohammed Salem, Shanzay Sohail, Tahsin Nashra, and Waleed Sader Khail. They were guided by the artistic expertise of Alina Babenko, Anjini Prakash Laitu, Dr. Poonam Chauhan, Jyoti Devdhar, Monia Sahraoui, Mussarat Yasmin Abid, Rabab Zaidi, Saida Banu, Shiba Khan, and Walaa Mohamed.

Robin Solomon, General Manager of Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre, expressed satisfaction about the event this way: “We are thrilled to partner with people who share our vision.

 Anjini Prakash Laitu (left) with a student.

Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre and Funun Arts Group have a common mission and sense of responsibility towards giving back to the community. This event is special as it embodies togetherness. The name ‘Joining Hands’ itself tells a powerful story of love and unity. Art is a beautiful medium to express these values.”

Shiba Khan, Founder and Director of Funun Arts Group, highlighted the pivotal role art plays in conveying significant messages. She said: “As the founder of Funun Arts Group and as an artist, I feel it is our common responsibility to use our talents for greater good.

Art is a powerful medium to communicate messages, and today, we witness how students focus and engage deeply in the creative process to show their love for the earth. This fusion of talent results in masterpieces that affirm the critical message that we have only one earth; so save it, protect it, and love it.”

Farah Khan, Creative Designer and Co-founder of Funun Arts Group, announced that the artworks created during the event would be showcased in their upcoming exhibition at Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre, starting June 6. She added that the forthcoming exhibition will be in celebration of World Environment Day and World Ocean Day. Joseph Hajj, Food and Beverage Manager of Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre, spoke about the joy in hosting the event.

He said: “It is a pleasure for us to host both the students and the artists. The process of curating the menu, designing the layout and finalising the creative presentation, was incredibly fulfilling. The happiness we see on the faces of these talented students is beyond any expression in words. Both food and painting are beautiful forms of art; this event is a delightful experience.”

Mohamad Saif, Talent and Culture Manager of the hotel, said that “today, I enjoyed painting with my creative student partner. It brought back my own memories of playing with colours on canvas and the joy of uninhibited expression!” Chandra, one of the students from Manzil Center, noted that “today, I created artwork based on the theme ‘Only One Earth’, and it made me realise the importance of this message. I thoroughly enjoyed painting and loved the entire event.”

Representatives from Manzil Center emphasised the positive impact of such initiatives on their students. They noted: “Initiatives like these are crucial for our students as they boost their confidence, creativity and skills. Most importantly, they bring immense happiness. The students were very engaged in painting. They focused on what they did, and enjoyed every stroke of colour they made on the canvas. It was like painting their own lives, freely.”

Dr. Poonam Chauhan, one of the participating artists, described the event as a profoundly moving experience. She said: “The morning was filled with colours, surrounded by talent, and the opportunity to collaborate with students of diverse abilities was truly beautiful. Today, I learned how to shape the thoughts of others through art. Until now, I painted what I thought or felt; but today I painted the thoughts of my student partner. It was an unforgettable experience.”

Artist Walaa Mohamed said: “For me, art is the best way to express and connect with others. Today what we learnt and what we are taking back with us, is a very important lesson of love, bonding and togetherness. I felt the power of art, how it rouses unconditional love and happiness in everyone who engages with it.”

The initiative exemplifies the transformative power of art in fostering inclusivity, creativity and environmental awareness. Besides emphasising the importance of unity and respect, it was also a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect and cherish our planet.

Events such as this help break the ice; establish rapport; train supervising staff and student volunteers; raise funds; assist partnerships with organisations or community groups to host art exhibitions; partner with artists and writers to print and distribute educational publications; and develop research with vulnerable populations.