ART workshops for children are back after 15 years as part of a popular society’s activities during Ashoora.
Eighty children, aged between six and nine, will be provided with training and guidance by professional artists over four consecutive days, starting on Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm.
Produced artworks will be saved for around 10 years before being exhibited to the public in a retro exhibition for the children.
Bahrain’s Al Hussaini Society for Islamic Arts, which promotes religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among the country’s different faiths, is spearheading the initiative as part of its annual activities.
The society, formed in 2001, was forced over the years to drastically scale down its activities due to budget constraints.
“When we first introduced the concept of showcasing retro artworks in 2020 done by children that entered our maiden workshop in 2007, we were surprised that most of those who have showed up at the gallery are all now top young artists in the country,” said society information and public relations committee chairman Hussain Nusaif.
“This year we have decided to reintroduce those workshops again for children after a 15-year hiatus due to budget constraints that have limited our spending and planned activities,” he added.
“The workshops are for free thanks to top art instructors who have volunteered their services to help us get this activity back on track ensuring that young talents are scouted and mentored.
“The theme focuses on religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.”
The society will take a BD5 refundable deposit to ensure that registered children show up for the workshops, which will be held at the society’s headquarters in Manama.
“We will have 20 children on each day over four days and if we exceed the 80, then we could have shorter night-time workshops to accommodate the rest,” said Mr Nusaif.
“There is no intention to turn anyone back and we are negotiating with a top female artist to instruct children aged between four and six should there be registrations,” he added.
“The issue is that there are some artists who are handling activities on our behalf across the country taking into account that parking spaces are an issue in Manama.”
The society’s activities hit include candle-lit vigils and art exhibitions, with only 200 artists from Bahrain taking part in the society’s annual art festival this year and the other 200 being distributed among other art galleries marking the occasion.
Ashoora marks the death anniversary of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammed.
In 2017, the society set a new world record for the most candles burning in one place with 20,000 candles.
The society has also broken several world records over the past decade through its Ashoora activities, including the world’s biggest wax pyramid, measuring five metres tall and three metres wide, a 300kg steel globe that had the most peace ribbons tied to it and the longest candle.
Mr Nusaif said the society has trimmed its activities to ensure regular public commitments are not disrupted.
“When we had to leave things out due to financial constraints, we chose those with the least effect, and unfortunately it is our ambitions for record-breaking achievements,” he said.
“Hopefully, we could set a new record for the most candles in one place again this year, but it would be left to authorisations from those concerned like Civil Defence and public rush to donate candles alongside other arrangements.
“However, the focus continues on paintings that we sell for between BD40 and BD300 to help with expenses.
“Most of the artwork is bought by expatriates who visit our processions.”
For more information about the society or to donate, contact Mr Nusaif on 34155942 or visit @alhussainiart on Instagram.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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