RIYADH, 18 May 2005 — Riyadh Governor Prince Salman will today inaugurate the first week-long artists exhibition (Atyaf Alweed) to raise funds for an estimated 12,300 orphans in the Riyadh region.
This was disclosed at a press conference by Saleh Al-Yousef, director of Charity Committee for Orphans Care, who said it will be the first art show featuring the works of well-known Saudi artists (both male and female), besides those of gifted orphans.
It was also announced that the committee would soon begin the construction of a nine-story building on a 2,255 sq. m. plot on King Fahd Road donated by well-known businessman Hamad Ibrahim Al-Saedan. The plot is estimated at SR10 million, while the building alone would cost SR32 million. The committee has so far collected SR23 million.
The event is being sponsored by the Saudi British Bank, Fawaz Al-Hokair Co., Maqamat Est., Deerat Al-Oudh and Alwan for Creative Arts.
Referring to the exhibition, the director said the venue of the exhibition is the national museum at King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Al-Murabba district. Wednesday and Thursday have been allocated for men, while Saturday has been reserved for women.
Princess Nouf bint Abdul Aziz will inaugurate the women’s day. Saudi female artists Sharifa Al-Sudairy and Asma Al-Dukhail will supervise the female section. Families can visit the exhibition during the remaining three days.
A novel aspect of the exhibition is the public auction of paintings by renowned Saudi artists and also of some gifted orphans. Al-Yousef expressed his gratitude to the artists, some of whom donated all their works for the cause of orphans, while others donated part of their repertoire. He said the auction will be flagged off with the opening bid of SR1 per piece.
