The night before the “Yes We Can” candidate was to be inaugurated as the US president, a group of students at the International Schools Group (ISG) Dhahran High School showed that a “can do” attitude is popular worldwide. At the Ninth Annual Art Show for Habitat for Humanity, the teenagers raised SR11,000. In the last eight years, the Dhahran High School (DHS) Habitat for Humanity club has donated about SR300,000 for building materials in countries such as Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Malawi. Monies raised from the art show will support this year’s efforts for Habitat for Humanity and also the Citizens Foundation, which builds schools for the needy in Pakistan.
Nudrat Mahmood was “Artist of the Show.” Other outstanding artists in the event included Danielle Peres, Best Expressionistic Paintings In Charcoal; Rachel Ternes, Mirror Etchings and Jewelry; Ayesha Khan, Portraits; Nada Raslan, Expressionistic Pencil Sketches; Camree Johnson, Creative Work; Brita Molster, Fariha Chowdhry and Natasha Woods, Turkish Mosaics; Hadiel Mohildean, Pencil Sketches; Melanie Chahine, Digital Art; Sarah Abaid, Oil Painting; Nada Ali, Still Life, Tanya Zaman, Mixed Media; Nada Raslan, Expressionist; Raza Baig, Wood Burning; and Sondos Irhouma, Palette Knife Landscapes.
“There was quite a variety of artwork on display and the quality of the work for the young age of the artists was impressive,” said Abeera Atique, DHS art teacher and show organizer. “I myself am an artist, and I know that it is not easy to let your paintings go — even if it is for a good cause.
Through the exhibition the students learn how it feels to give away something they care about and have worked hard to create. Initially, it is sometimes hard for me to persuade them to sell their works, but it’s the benefit for a good cause that encourages them to sell their art to provide homes for the homeless.”
The art show was opened by US Consul General Dhahran Joe Kenny. The evening included dinner for 400 guests served by The Grill, as well as entertainment and a raffle of prizes donated by local businesses and community groups. “It’s really satisfying to communicate through my art. It’s also interesting that by connecting art with charity work we can make an impact,” said Rachel Ternes, a tenth grade student who hails from Colorado, USA. Rachel attended the Denver School of the Arts for three years before transferring to DHS for the current academic year. She is interested in a career in which her artistic talent will play a role and is considering architecture or jewelry design. Rachel has recently started an art blog that shows some of her work at http://rachelternes.wordpress.com.
Another student who is hoping that her talent will help in future success is tenth grader Tanya Zaman. “I would like to work in the field of interior design or architecture. I always want my art to be inspirational to others. This show was a way for my work to be seen and enable me to understand how others react to what I’ve expressed in my paintings.”
A positive reaction is what eleventh grader, Ayesha Khan, is looking for when people view her pencil drawings of Pakistani women.
“My work focuses on Pakistani women and Pakistani culture. I want people to become aware of the beauty of our women and our society,” said Ayesha. “Right now they think we’re terrorists. I live outside Pakistan in an international community and I can see that the world’s view of Pakistan is distorted. It will take a long time and a lot of effort to change that.”
Artist of the Show, twelfth grader Nudrat Mahmood, plans to continue with her art as a hobby after graduation from DHS but her career will be in a different direction.
“I’ll be studying accounting in Canada next year,” said Nudrat. “Art is something I do to relax and I don’t want to ruin that.”
Nudrat is very involved with the DHS Habitat for Humanity Club. With the other club officers, Annas Bin Adil, Rameesha Kazi, Danielle Peres, Mashal Shah and Hagar Haggag, she has worked tirelessly throughout the year not only to raise funds for Habitat’s building projects, but also to inform the DHS students about the difficulties faced by impoverished families worldwide.
“Students at DHS are very privileged. Not one of us ever goes to bed hungry or without a roof over our heads. When you grow up with everything, it can make you forget about people who don’t have much. So for three years I have been working with the Habitat for Humanity Club to remind people about those in need,” remarked Nudrat. “Next week I will be going to Malawi to build houses for the poor. I’ve always wanted to go to Africa so I am looking forward to the experience but I understand very well that I’m not going to a beach resort. We’ll be working there and trying to improve the lives of others.”
On Jan. 28, two groups from DHS will be traveling to work on house building projects for Habitat for Humanity in Malawi and the Philippines. A total of 34 students and five chaperones will be involved in the effort. Each pays all their own costs for the experience.
“The trips are part of the annual DHS ‘Week Without Walls’ in which students go on trips in order to gain new experiences. There are seven trips planned and the students on the Habitat for Humanity trips are making the choice to work rather than having fun. They will be building homes for those in need,” explained Alicha Gerber. Alicha and Ratif Gerber with Abeera Atique are the DHS teacher sponsors of the Habitat for Humanity Club.
And what is the result of some bricklaying and carpentry? “It allows you to make a difference in people’s lives,” said twelfth grader Annas Bin Adil. “I went on the home building trip last year to the Philippines and it left a mark on me. Next week I’ll go to Malawi. I’m from Pakistan and I’ve seen poverty, but I could never make a big change in the life of someone in need. Building a home for a family helps give them a better future. Barack Obama inspires me a lot, especially his message about working together to make a positive impact. I’ll be watching his inauguration. I am sure it will be a momentous occasion.”
