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