Darat Safeya Binzagr Gallery with the support of Suntop organized their annual cultural art contest at the premises of the gallery recently.

The jury selected 60 children, aged between 10 and 16, from across different schools in Jeddah to participate in the contest according to a set criteria. 

“This contest for children is both artistic and educational, which explains why it is so popular among students and school principals alike,” said Safeya Binzagr, owner and founder of the Darat Safeya Binzagr gallery, adding, “We distributed almost 4000 flyers across international and national schools in Jeddah and received 300 candidates, which were then shortlisted to 60 male and female students by the jury.”

She further explained that each year one cultural or traditional theme is chosen for the contest, while this year they chose the decoration of the traditional water jar, known locally as “Al-Shurba.”

“We choose a traditional subject annually for the contestants, to involve them in a research process that keeps them in touch with their national heritage. The candidates then apply their vision of the theme on a three dimension al sculpture of the traditional water jar,” she said. 

The students apply the design they sketched in front of the jury, without receiving any assistance. 

“We allow them to bring their own colors and painting material, however they are asked to use environmentally friendly material and are encouraged to depend solely on themselves to finish their art work.

We provide them with the sculpture and they are requested to design and execute their vision at the gallery premises,” she clarified.

The jury committee consists of five Saudi artists including Safeya Binzagr, who will provide the final verdict on the participants’ artwork.

In addition, the students’ final sculptures will be put on display in an exhibition at Roshana Mall.