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ALKHOBAR: If you find yourself a short distance from the Alkhobar Corniche and want to attend a National Day-themed art exhibition with air conditioning, look no further than the one hosted at the Somerset Downtown Alkhobar Hotel.<\/p>\n
Curated by Saudi-based entrepreneur and fierce advocate for women empowerment Nuslia Nushra Akhter, the indoor event is spread across the ground and first floors.<\/p>\n
Armed with a doctorate in business management, Akhter started her entrepreneurial journey in 2021 and has been running her own companies in Saudi Arabia and Oman since, helping over 200 women entrepreneurs with their strategic management.<\/p>\n
For the occasion of the 96th Saudi National Day, she opted to highlight artists.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been doing art exhibitions for the past three years \u2014 once in Jubail and once in Oman \u2014 so I have planned to do it in Alkhobar, where I was born and raised,\u201d she told Arab News.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time I\u2019m doing it here in Alkhobar and I\u2019m really honored to do it on the Saudi National Day because we are representing Saudi pride. I wanted the artists to showcase their love for Saudi Arabia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Artists were chosen via an online form that was sent out through her company two months ago.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cIn 15 days we got more than 45 artists and still I was receiving the calls yesterday \u2014 and we closed the registration, but they still wanted to join.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some 28 artists were chosen due to space constraints, but she is proud of the selection.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cMost of them have brought around five paintings and we have artists from places such as Romania, Saudi, the UK, Malaysia and Indonesia. So it\u2019s quite diverse. I have placed a special corner for special needs kids\u2019 art because they have a different type of talent within themselves which we usually can\u2019t see outside.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she confessed that she is \u201cnot good at art,\u201d she was called to join the creative expression movement as she actively enjoys uplifting others.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThis exhibition is not only about art. It is also an opportunity for business networking, where artists, entrepreneurs, professionals, families, and organizations can meet, connect, exchange ideas \u2026 and discover new opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Established Saudi visual artist Almas Al-Dossary, who goes by @Almas_Khobar on Instagram, wanted to highlight the occasion by trying something new.<\/p>\n
Al-Dossary placed four canvases on a table in which she drew an outline of various Saudi-centric drawings, and the intention was for curious, creative spectators to take a seat and use the paints and paintbrushes to fill in the blanks. They would then be able to take their collaborated, colored works home for a small fee.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, I am showcasing my paintings and also hosting \u2014 for my very first time \u2014 an interactive activity for visitors where they can color pre-outlined canvases, allowing them to take home their own artistic creations,\u201d she told Arab News.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I could have printed the outline or used an easier method, but I wanted to hand draw everything myself because human creativity and talent still matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also on display are Al-Dossary\u2019s finished paintings \u2014 one in oil and two in acrylic \u2014 all themed around National Day and the Saudi spirit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am from Riyadh originally, though I currently live in Alkhobar. I have been quite active in the local art scene for some time and usually participate at exhibitions here \u2014 especially those that introduce and promote our culture to the West,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I received an invitation to participate via WhatsApp, I accepted immediately. It was a wonderful opportunity to interact with the public and to do something a little different. As a Saudi, I am delighted to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The designated National Day art spaces at the hotel are free and open to the public daily until Sept. 25, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n