JEDDAH, 31 July — Budding talents are exhibiting keen interest in learning the art of sketching and painting at a summer workshop that is in session at the Jeddah House of Artists at the Jamjoom Center here.
The six-week course is part of the Jeddah summer festival, according to Awad Saleh Abdul-Sayed, an accomplished artist and secretary of the house, who is conducting the workshop.
The summer course for learners is one of the season’s programs organized at the house, which is part of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare. Saleh A. Bogary, chairman of the House of Artists said the house would host its third summer exhibition of members’ artworks from Aug. 7. The first exhibition that opened last month-end coincided with the inauguration of the summer festival and the one that followed in the middle of this month had the participation of more than 50 members of the house. Each exhibition lasted 10 days. Six young learners who were attending the course last night said they joined the summer session because of their tremendous interest in art and becoming an artist of substance.
Muhammad Abdullah, a 10-year-old fifth grader, said: “I personally feel that I’ve an inborn artistic talent, and my purpose in taking lessons at the workshop is to know all the basics of art so that it will help me in sharpening the skills as an artist. I’m currently learning the art of sketching and will soon start lessons in the use of colors.”
Yousuf Masood, a Palestinian working as a web page designer in an IT company, said: “It has been my cherished desire to become an artist. I’ve been sketching and splashing water colors and oils on the canvas, but I thought I could never perfect the art unless I took proper lessons from artists and instructors. I first went through all the basics and am now learning how to draw, shade and shadow.”
Ahmad Abid, a 22-year-old Saudi student of computer engineering at King Fahd University Petroleum & Minerals, said: “I personally believe there is an artist in me. So when I heard of the summer course here I enrolled to learn the art of painting. I like landscapes and love to produce them in acrylic.” Similar sentiments were expressed by another Saudi youth, Yousuf Al-Ghamdi of King Abdul Aziz University. “Drawing and coloring have interested me all through,” he said.
Awad, an award-winning painter, said each course consists of three sessions, each lasting six weeks. “Successful participants will receive certificates from the General Presidency of Youth Welfare,” said Awad who has held solo exhibitions in Khartoum and Jeddah, and also taken part in several group shows here and abroad.
