Ten art galleries from across the Kingdom united on the common platform of the “United Saudi Galleries” under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and Information and in coordination with Arabian Wings, Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts and Saudi Art Society.

The move aims at enhancing Saudi art and artists.

Owners of the art galleries met to sign an agreement this week.

Ahsan Burhan from the Ministry of Culture and Information in Jeddah said the meeting of the gallery owners was essential for the development of Saudi galleries. He said while only ten galleries from around the Kingdom have come together now, he is hopeful that many more will join hands to work for the country.

“In Saudi Arabia, our art work is on par with international standards. This union is important and will benefit artists, art and galleries and put them on an international platform,” Burhan said.

“Our dream is to organize programs like the Art Dubai and Art France and that is not possible until we unite to promote Saudi art and artists,” he added.

Nahar Marzok, branch manager of the Saudi Art Association (SAA), said the union, which happened at the Saudi Art Association premises, will bring a great change in the position of Saudi galleries.

Mohammed Bahrawi, owner and founder of Arabian Wings, said this was the first step toward the unification of the Saudi art galleries, “for which Arabian Wings took the initiative.” “We are happy for the formation of the ‘United Saudi Galleries.’ This is for our betterment and progress. Unity will bring strength, and this union will bring many excellent changes in the art world as well as in the life of the artists of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

“Our first project will be to organize the ‘Jeddah Art Week,’ where work of different artists will be on display for a whole month,” he added. ’Jeddah Art Week’ is a national project, belonging to Saudi Arabia, and it is not an individual entity, he said.

Abdul Aziz, artist and manager of Saudi Art Center, said: “This is the first step toward a bright future of Saudi artists and art.”

The ten galleries are: Naila Gallery, Lam Art Gallery and Mishkat Art Gallery from Riyadh, and The Gallery, Saudi Art Center, Dama Art Gallery, Saudi Art Society, Saudi Art and Cultural Association, Jeddah Atelier gallery, House of Artists and Al-Alimya Gallery from Jeddah.