JEDDAH, 6 July 2007 — Summer is never an unproductive time for the Jeddah House of Artists, which each year it organizes various workshops for people of different age groups and backgrounds in spite of an absence of financial governmental support.
The new manager of the Jeddah House of Artists, Mohammad Haidar, said the group has asked the Ministry of Culture for help, as there is a chance for the workshops to nurture up and coming young talent.
Workshops are being held by famous artists such as Jeddah’s well-known Syrian sculpture Rabeaa Al-Akhras.
“I talked to the Deputy Minister of Culture Abdul Al-Aziz Al-Sebail recently to check on our earlier request for support. He said that paperwork is in the process,” said Haidar, adding that the summer vacation cannot wait and so the group decided to charge participants fees.
The workshops are open to both men and women and include workshops on sculpturing, Arabic calligraphy and photography. Workshops on pottery and drawing cartoons are also to be held and will cater exclusively to women.
The photography workshop is scheduled to begin tomorrow and will be delivered by Sultan Mandili, a professional Jeddah photographer and member of the Jeddah Photographers Group. This workshop will last for a month.
“The prices differ from SR300 to SR1,500,” said Haidar, adding that prices are being charged to meet instructors’ fees. “Children are not left out, they are to have an art course named the Art Club,” he added.
All participants will receive accredited certificates on finishing the course and the chance to present their work at the closing summer exhibition, said Haidar.
For inquiries on registration telephone the Jeddah House of Artists on 05691 40003. The group is located on the second floor of the Jamjoum Center.
