Earth Day Bahrain

Artists aim to raise BD40,000 for charity

Organisers of a workshop, in which disabled artists were given a chance to discover their talent and actually sell their work, said yesterday they hoped to raise more than BD40,000 by the middle of this year.

One of the components of the programme, a charity painting competition, was held yesterday at the Marina Club and received the backing of the Rotary Club of Adliya.

Fourty-eight “special artists” were among the 230 artists who attended the event, said Rotarian Redha Faraj, who was co-ordinating it.

“We have raised BD27,000 already after the painting competition,” he said.

“We hope to raise at least BD13,000 more by June this year.”

The event is being held with the support of Ispektrum-Bahrain – a group of Filipino artists who work to develop artistic talents and skills.

The workshop is being overseen by the Social Development Ministry and aims to promote artists with special needs.

He said people with special needs were able to use the event to paint, create sculptures and other art items that will help them bring in an income.

“The money we have raised will support efforts to create a fine art workshop for those with special needs.

He said they are also trying to show the young people that charity is part of their daily lives.

The theme of the project, Arts for the Earth, Arts for a Cause, was held to coincide with Earth Day, which is celebrated on March 20 every year.

The environment-themed competition was open to four groups: primary and elementary school students; secondary school students; special needs artists; and professional artists.

The first three groups took part in an on-the-spot painting contest lasting a maximum of five hours, while walk-in artists submitted a painting they created at the event or prior to the competition.

The winners received cash prizes in addition to gifts donated by various sponsors, while all participants received certificates.
GDN – 22 March, ’07