— Photos by Tanveer Shahzad
— Photos by Tanveer Shahzad

ISLAMABAD: A show titled Art for Change – International Child Art Challenge and Exhibition by Discovering New Artists opened at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Saturday.

More than 300 art enthusiasts, including students, parents and school administrators, visited the exhibition on the first day.

The exhibition featured over 150 plus breathtaking artworks under the theme of Colours of Nature, Girls Education and Innovate the Future by schoolchildren aged between four and 15 years from over 15 countries.

Prizes, certificates and medals were handed out to the winners and participants in a jam-packed inauguration ceremony by chief guest Jamal Shah, who is a respected artist, actor and director.

Speaking on the occasion, Discovering New Artists (DNA) founder and director Mujtaba Zaidi said the DNA, through its flagship project Art for Change and The Art for Change Atelier, provided equal access to arts education for all.

These projects not only bridged the gap between the marginalised children and those that had greater access to education and resources but also enabled these young learners of 4-18 years of age from all economic backgrounds to develop creativity, open-mindedness and confidence to present solutions to SDGs and global issues through their arts.

Talking to media, Jamal Shah appreciated and encouraged the efforts of Discovering New Artists team and the artwork by all participants.

“Artwork is wonderful and the originality is seen throughout the displayed art pieces. These initiatives put emphasis on highlighting the importance of art education among the public and children in particular,” Mr Shah said.

The DNA was a youth-led social enterprise that provided an innovative space for children to utilise their strengths, discover their identities, find meaning in the community and explore the world connections through the process of art and design.

The organisers said it promoted creative learning opportunities integrated into arts and design for students from both private and low-income sectors through its one for one model.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Property valuation
Updated 31 Oct, 2024

Property valuation

Market valuation rates will not help boost tax revenues without plugging such loopholes in the system.
Hitting a wall
31 Oct, 2024

Hitting a wall

PAKISTAN still has a long way to go in defeating polio. Despite our decades-long fight against the debilitating...
Kurram violence
31 Oct, 2024

Kurram violence

DESPITE years of intermittent and bloody conflict in Kurram, the state has been unable to bring lasting peace to ...
Court business
Updated 30 Oct, 2024

Court business

The unity and commonality of purpose on display in the full court meeting are what will help the SC endure.
UNRWA ban
30 Oct, 2024

UNRWA ban

NOT content with the war of extermination it is executing against the Palestinian people, Israel now wants to ensure...
Cricket changes
30 Oct, 2024

Cricket changes

WIN or lose, Pakistan cricket seems to be embroiled in a constant state of flux. Just when things seemed to be...