The Sharjah Children Biennial Develops Young Ones Interactive Artistic Skills

Two new workshops were added to the programme of the Sharjah Children's Biennial – organised by the Sharjah Children's Centers – to develop the interactive artistic skills of nearly 30 participating children from the Sajayah Young Ladies of Sharjah, the Sharjah Children's Centres, and the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation. The 3-day workshops titled ‘My questions’ were held from 20-22 October, and ‘Characters We Draw Together” were held at 23rd of October at the Mughayder Children's Centre in Sharjah, and were part of a series of workshops held in the month of October 2014.

Visitors entering the Mughayder Children’s Center were met by a big question mark upon entry, which is the logo of the theme of this year's Sharjah Children's Biennial : 'Questions'. This was followed by a large space that leads the children to the workshops. That space was also decorated by symbols and drawings that indicate the topics of the workshops that revolve around the children's questions. At the end of the workshops, works of the children as a result of these questions were selected. The workshops are part of fourth edition of the Sharjah Children's Biennial held by the department in collaboration with the Sharjah Museum's Department between December 9, 2014 and February 9, 2015.

The first workshop ‘My Question’ was held by event coordinator of the Biennial, Sumaya Al Zarouni and graphic designer, Hind Al Shamsy and was attended by children from the Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah center, children's centers in Riqqa and the children center in Helwan. Participating children were introduced to ways of expressing their feelings artistically through their environment. This was done through questions that the children asked and answered by etching and drawing on cardboard and using acrylic paints and pieces of cloth for printing. The used pieces of cloth were wrapped on a light box to reflect the child's imagination and answers to the workshop's topic.

In the second workshop, titled ‘Characters We Draw Together’, conducted by Emirati artist Nasser NasrAllah and attended by children from the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation, participating children worked on a visual design project on canvases split into 3 sections. During the workshop a child would draw one part, after which the drawing would be covered and another child would draw the second section, and then the third child would continues in the same manner. The final result develops the child's artistic imagination and encourages greater creativity.

Speaking on this occasion Reem bin Karam, Acting Director of Sharjah Children's Centres, and Chairperson of Sharjah children's biennial, said: “Over the past few months, we have collected a number of exceptional works from the children participating in the workshops. Their attendance and interactions with the artists and experts had a great effect in developing their talent and honing their skills. This is part of our strategy to enhance children's artistic and aesthetic taste and to prepare them to produce creative works that pave the way for a new artistic journey of the country. We expect more success as the unlimited support for children continues in Sharjah and the UAE.”

Emirati artist Nasser Nasrallah, General coordinator of the Sharjah Children's Biennial said: “The Biennial always aims to create a positive artistic environment for children and to offer training for the talented and to increase the participation in the workshops to include centres specialized for children in Sharjah and in the country. In the light of the unique energies uncovered during the workshops, we believe that children in the modern age are more connected with life and are more capable of expressing what's going on in their minds through art and on this, we will build their artistic inclinations and their ability to communicate and to create art pieces that can compete on an international level.”

The activities in the month of October included other workshops such as ‘Us’, conducted by artist Khaleel Abdulwahed at the Mughayder children's center, a doodling workshop conducted by four artists and specialists: Khaled Mahmoud, Nasser Nasrallah, Khadeejah Al Saeedi and Ali Aloosh. During this workshop, children sketched a scene that they were witnessing in the old Sharjah Market. Another scheduled workshop was ‘What is it?’ conducted by specialist Reem Al Mullah at the Mughayder children's Centre, which involved developing children's sculpting skills using clay.

Other workshops held during the month were: ‘Basics of Quilling’ conducted by Farah Al Fard in the Mughayder children's center, “The White Box”, and “One World” both held in the Sharjah city for Humanitarian Services. Both workshops developed the creation of an international language for the visually and audibly impaired and introduced society to the simple vocabulary of this language in addition to bringing out their ability to express themselves through artistic and creative channels.

The aim of the workshops held by the Sharjah's Children's Centres is to support children's skills to create artistic works that will hopefully be showcased during the fourth edition of the Sharjah Children's Biennial, which will be held between Dec 9, 2014 and Feb 9, 2015 in collaboration with the Sharjah Department of Museums. The Sharjah Children's Centres has made it possible for all children to take part for free in the workshops by contacting the department or by registering on www.scbiennial.ae

Emirate:  Sharjah

Date: Oct 27, 2014

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