ALKHOBAR, 12 November 2004 — These days there is an increased focus on women in business in Saudi Arabia. In the Eastern Province, companies owned by women are not uncommon. What is unusual is to find a business in which the woman owning the company is playing key roles in both the planning and day-to-day running of the firm. Nabila Al-Bassam is one such woman. The opening last Saturday of the new addition to Arab Heritage, her fine arts and crafts gallery, proves that in over 25 years she has not only succeeded in business in Saudi Arabia but has plans for even bigger things to come.
“The total gallery space in the two buildings that now form Arab Heritage is nearly 500 sq. m. This is more than double the space we had before,” Al-Bassam said. “This will allow us to promote more Arab artists and offers more sales space for the work of Arab craftsmen.”
The expansion at Arab Heritage consists of an additional floor on the original building plus an entirely new structure. The expansion was planned and overseen by Al-Bassam with the entire three-year project costing several million riyals. The interior and exterior design of the buildings incorporates Al-Bassam’s own ideas. For example, the decorative touches on the outside of the buildings are based on motifs normally found in Bedouin carpets. Plus, sometimes, necessity was definitely the impetus for Al-Bassam’s personal intervention.
“I would have liked to be able to bring in professionals to handle certain aspects of the project but they were unavailable,” she said with a sigh. “For instance I had to create the design for the interior lighting myself. We could not find a local specialist to do the job. Since these buildings are art galleries, taking the natural light into consideration was very important when considering the plans for supplementary lighting. No one was available in Saudi Arabia who could physically come to see the buildings and then create the lighting plans, so I did it myself!”
Al-Bassam has many ideas to use the increased amount of space available at Arab Heritage. First and foremost the gallery is to be a vibrant, living gallery hosting regular shows, probably monthly, featuring Arab artists, singly or in groups. The gallery will also be able to take artwork on consignment. As for the handicrafts, Al-Bassam is already looking forward to increasing the number and type of products available. Her selection includes brass, silver, glass, textiles and tailored goods targeting the gift market.
“I love art and wanted to be able to promote Arab artists on a more commercially viable basis,” Al-Bassam remarked. “This required space to support income earning activities in addition to the exhibitions. We now have a good amount of space to offer professional framing services to the community. We also hope to become a venue for business events and social receptions. Plus, the second floor of the new building is to be used as office space for businesswomen. A location for the business is required for the issuance of a commercial license, but designers, architects, event planners and many other women hoping to own their own companies can’t find commercial space to lease. I have great hopes that the new offices at Arab Heritage will help meet that demand and earn income to support our cultural activities.”
In addition to planning innovative uses for Arab Heritage’s physical space, Al-Bassam is also investigating how Arab Heritage can increase female employment opportunities in the Eastern Province.
“Of course it is obvious that we will be able to feature and sell the output of more women artists. These include painters, potters, jewelry designers and many others,” Al-Bassam said. “We are currently in the process of hiring women to work in the day-to-day running of the gallery. We also need creative types who can help design catalogues and mount exhibits. Finding the needed talents is a challenge, although I am certain the right young Saudi women are out there and with perseverance we will recruit them.”
Her words and deeds fit the profile of a very modern, no nonsense woman, but deep inside Al-Bassam is a sensitive soul. Asked why she had chosen to have the official inauguration of the gallery expansion during Ramadan when many companies curtail their activities, Al-Bassam explained that this was the time when her mother was able to travel to Alkhobar to be present at the opening exhibition.
“My father inaugurated Arab Heritage and I wanted my mother to be there to celebrate the expansion with me,” Al-Bassam commented quietly. “My family and friends are very important to me. I take this opportunity to invite the entire community to come and join in our happiness and pride at opening the new building. Our inaugural show continues through November. It features a large number of famous and new talents from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Bahrain, Jordan, Palestine and Syria. The art on view is eclectic and I am certain there will be something to delight every eye and stir every heart.”
