MORE THAN 35 PAINTINGS BY 25 ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES
Art for All Center (Falaj), of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) organized from 20 to 24 May 2022 the exhibition (Falaj Gallery). The Center organizes this gallery for the second year in a row. It took at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah (Al Rasheed Hall). More than 35 paintings by 25 artists with disabilities participated in the exhibition, which received visitors daily from ten in the morning until eight in the evening.
The opening witnessed a turnout of a number of visitors and interested people. Mr. Muhammad Bakr, General Supervisor of the Art for All Center (Falaj), confirmed that art plays a major role in integrating and empowering people with disabilities and supporting them to move from hidden shadow spaces to the light of community communication and artistic cultural influence.
He said, “The aim of the exhibition is to achieve equal opportunities for people with disabilities and their non-disabled peers in performing artistic and cultural activities. In addition to empowering and integrating creators with disabilities into the artistic and cultural movement of the United Arab Emirates”. He pointed out that the center is keen to discuss ways of cooperation with artistic and cultural institutions in the country and work to provide training programs and artistic projects for artists with disabilities.
Artist Maryam Gomaa was so happy to participate in the exhibition. She said, “Today's participation in the "Falaj Gallery" is my second. I started by the use of small paintings connected to each other and draw birds. I also participated in Cairo with paintings showing the beauty of the Emirati maritime heritage”.
Mr. Akram Al-Awadi, Arts Coordinator at the Art for All Center, stated that the exhibition includes paintings drawn in acrylic and oil. In it, artists presented their creativity and abilities. Visitors also praised the beauty of the paintings and the development of the artists' participation this year.
For her part, the plastic artist Fatima Obeid said, “I have completed a year since joining the Falaj Center. This is my first participation in the exhibition. My journey at Falaj Center began by learning the basics of drawing in terms of integrating colors and other techniques until I reached this advanced stage”.
It is worth noting that the Art for All Center (Falaj) is an extension of the Emirates Group for Private Art, which SCHS established in 1995. The center officially opened its doors on March 2, 2017, under the patronage and presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
In conclusion, Mr. Muhammad Bakr has affirmed the center's keenness to expand the integration opportunities to include the regional and international environment in the future, and to work to attract new elements of talented people with disabilities to join the center's training activities.