Bahrain’s much-awaited annual student art carnival is set to be staged in November, the Indian Community Welfare Association (ICWA) announced yesterday, with registration open in the first week of next month.
The 18th edition of Faber-Castell Spectra is expected to attract more than 3,500 students from around 40 schools in the kingdom. As in previous years, participants will be divided into four age groups between five to 18 years. Additionally, adults will be able to participate through online registration.
A new website is underway, organisers revealed, ensuring a seamless registration process.
A Press conference held at InterContinental Bahrain in Manama was preceded by a meeting with school co-ordinators, which was attended by around 50 teachers representing various educational institutions.
Over the years, Spectra has developed into one of Bahrain’s most-prominent student art competitions, providing children and young individuals the opportunity to express their creativity and showcase their artistic abilities.
The upcoming edition, set to be staged at the Indian School Bahrain campus in Isa Town, on November 13, will coincide with ICWA’s 27th year of operations. Preparations are already underway, steered by convenor Nitin Jacob.
Registered with the Social Development Ministry, ICWA is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation committed to provide welfare services, from medical aid to labour outreach programmes and more, all for the benefit of the economically weaker section of the community, with special focus on the Indian diaspora.
Over the last 26 years, the group has supported more than 100,000 individuals with the support of Bahrain’s government and other related institutions in the kingdom. Around 4,500 workers benefited from their summer campaign Thirst Quenchers, for example, which ended last month.
“In a show of true team spirit, schools, organisations and the Indian community has come together to make this event (Spectra) a success despite the difficult times we witnessed earlier this year,” ICWA adviser Dr Babu Ramachandran highlighted.
Spectra 2026 will announce top five winners in each category, who will receive trophies and certificates. The top 50 participants in each age group will be awarded medals and all will receive a certificate.
Participants will receive free drawing materials by title sponsor Faber-Castell, which has been associated with the event since its inception in 2009. Malabar Gold is returning as presenter of this year’s programme.
The winning artworks will be documented alongside some of the outstanding creations in the 2027 IWCA wall and desk calendars, which will be launched in December this year. The calendars will be distributed to corporates, banks, clubs and other businesses across the kingdom.
Also this year, ICWA will honour school co-ordinators, who have been working closely with the expatriate group to ensure the smooth running of the competition for over more than a decade.
“As a mark of appreciation for their continued support, we will felicitate teachers who have been associated with the event for more than 10 years during the Spectra Award Ceremony,” IWCA chairman VK Thomas said during the Press conference.
“We will also honour media organisations that have supported and promoted the event and our other initiatives. This recognition will be presented during the annual calendar release function later this year,” he added.
On the sidelines of the art event announcement, ICWA executive committee revealed that the group has been registered on BenefitPay with the permission of the Social Development Ministry, making the process of donations easier for patrons.
“You can find us under the ‘charity’ section in the application,” association secretary-general Aneesh Sreedharan said, adding that the setup is ideal for those who wish to donate anonymously.
Other upcoming events were also announced, including the October Summer Fest, Workers Day and Breast Cancer Awareness initiative, which will bring low-income female workers together under one roof for free-of-cost health checks.
For more information about Spectra 2026, contact convenor Mr Jacob on 39612819 or email icrfbahrain @gmail.com.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))