LAHORE: An exhibition of the 17th edition of ArtBeat was held at Zahoorul Akhlaq Gallery of the National College of Arts (NCA), featuring over 210 artworks from young artists across the country.

Organised by The Little Art, the exhibition explored themes such as Colours of the World, Life Under Rivers and Water and Summers in Pakistan, reflecting children’s perspectives on cultural diversity, environmental issues and personal experiences.

The exhibition was inaugurated by NCA Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Murtaza Jafri alongside notable figures from the art community, including Prof Sarwat Ali, Irfan Gul Dahri, Ali Azmat and other esteemed artists.

An awards ceremony honoured 51 winners across five age groups, along with special prizes for children with special needs. The Creative School Award and Teacher’s Award of Excellence were also presented to schools and educators for their dedication to nurturing young talent. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to highlight outstanding artistic expression.

This year’s ArtBeat saw participation from 280 schools and 55 community organisations nationwide. Since its launch in 2012, the initiative has provided a platform for over 145,000 young artists to express their creativity and raise awareness on important social issues.

The exhibition will move to Islamabad for another show and award ceremony on Feb 28.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025