MORE than 30,000 students are taking part in an art exhibition to raise money for orphans.
The Sovereign Art Foundation Schools Prize 2018, now in its fourth edition, is a competition organised by Sovereign Art Consultancy.
Fourteen schools and four universities are taking part in the competition, which will see the five winning entries auctioned off for the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO).
“Our main target was to expand the number of participating students,” Sovereign Art Foundation regional director Nabil Khoury told a Press conference at the Capital Club yesterday.
“Our community target is the most important one, as having 14 schools taking part instead of 10 this year and opening the gate for university students was our target.
“We have achieved that already.”
It means more than 34,000 students are set to take part in the competition this year, as opposed to 26,000 in 2016.
The event, which is expected to benefit more than 5,000 orphans, splits participants into five age categories.
RCO secretary general Dr Mustafa Al Sayed said he hoped such activities would instil the importance of charity work in the younger generation.
“Our target is not just the donations, the target we hope Allah helps us achieve is to instil the culture of charity work among children,” Dr Al Sayed told the GDN.
“Our target is also to strengthen the relationship between the private and public sectors and those in need.”
The last event raised around BD270,000 and the best 300 artworks submitted this year will be showcased in an exhibition at The Avenues Bahrain.
It will be opened by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) president Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa on April 24 at 6pm and will be open daily, from 10am to 10pm, until May 5.
The best five will be auctioned off in a gala dinner during the second week of May at Bahrain National Museum, while the winners will receive BD500 cash prizes.
Schools taking part are Ibn Khuldoon National School, Shaikha Hessa Girls School, Riffa Views International School, the British School of Bahrain, Al Raja School, St Christopher’s School, Al Noor International School, Al Hekma International School, the boys and girls sections of Al Iman School, International School of Choueifat, Naseem International School, Gifted Student Centre and Gifted Student Centre for Special Needs.
The four universities participating are Bahrain University, Royal University for Women, University College of Bahrain and Applied Science University.
Yesterday’s Press conference was also attended by Baca arts and culture director Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Education Ministry representatives, students and teachers.
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