RIYADH, 20 May 2005 — On behalf of Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, Chairman of Saudi Research & Marketing Group Prince Faisal Bin Salman inaugurated a weeklong art exhibition at the National Museum here on Wednesday.
The exhibition aims at raising funds for an estimated 12,300 Saudi orphans in the Riyadh region.
It is the first art show to feature the works of well-known Saudi artists besides those of gifted orphans. A total of 200 pieces of landscape, seascape and abstract art as well as some pieces of sculpture are on display at the exhibition. They are in addition to the reproductions of some exquisite works of art on mugs, plates, T-shirts and some carvings.
Speaking on the occasion, Prince Faisal paid tributes to the organizers for their initiative to raise funds for a noble cause. As a token of support to the Charity Committee for Orphans Care, he bought three paintings of a well-known Saudi artist.
Prince Faisal went round the exhibition where works of 73 artists including that of noted artist Sharifa Al-Sudairy were on display. Forty Saudi women artists are taking part in the exhibition.
Works of renowned Saudi artist late Muhammed Al-Saleem were also on display. His paintings were bought earlier for SR420,000 by the Saudi British Bank, which donated them to the committee. The organizers said the auction would be held tomorrow in the presence of Princess Nouf bint Abdul Aziz. The exhibition was open to men yesterday and they can visit today after Isha prayers while Saturday (tomorrow) has been reserved for women. Speaking to Arab News, Dr. Muhammed A. Fadl, professor of arts at King Saud University, said some artists had donated their pieces for free, while others charged a token amount of SR1 per piece of art. “Most of these artists were my students,” said Professor Fadl, who has been teaching arts at KSU for the past 25 years.
Princess Nouf will inaugurate the exhibition tomorrow for women’s day. Artists Sharifa Al-Sudairy and Asma Al-Dukheil will supervise the female section. Families can visit the exhibition during the remaining three days. There will be a workshop on arts on Sunday and Monday.
According to Saleh Al-Yousef, director of Charity Committee for Orphans Care, one of their future plans is to build special dormitories for orphans.
The orphans fall in two categories — those who have lost their fathers and were brought up by their own families, and abandoned children. For the time being, the committee is looking after orphans in the first category.
The objectives of the plan for orphans are twofold — to provide financial support and rehabilitation. The financial support scheme involves various components: Regular payments of SR100 per month into the orphan’s account with Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation, giving SR50 to them by cash, and SR200 every four months.
The plan also involves emergency assistance, such as payment of house rent, health care and education. Under the financial assistance program, additional assistance is also provided to those who need them.
Al-Yousef explained how the committee gave funds to an orphan girl for facial surgery when she sustained severe burns on her face during an accident.
