Rosewood Corniche projects a worthy cause

Rosewood Corniche, in partnership with Jeddah Autism Center, one of Al-Faisaliah Women’s Welfare Association’s initiatives, hosted a children’s art show with the support of Princess Fahda bint Saud Al Saud, on June 2.
The invite-only event had exhibits contributed by children with autism.
Local artists, VIPS and representatives of the Gulf Ladies Union of Autism were present to raise awareness of autism.
The event followed an art competition, which was launched in Doha, Qatar in April as part of Autism Awareness Month and has been organized in recognition of the competition’s winner, a Saudi national child with autism who is cared for at the Jeddah Autism Center.
The exhibition at Rosewood Corniche’s Habsburg Restaurant, featured 22 paintings and drawings depicting typical life across the GCC.
The children were asked to create work that illustrated the relationship between the six GCC states. Patrons at the event had the opportunity to purchase a reprint as all the original works were returned to Jeddah Autism Center.
While research on the prevalence of autism in the Middle East region is still in relative infancy, studies conducted in Europe and the United States estimate that one in every 155 newborn children has some form of autism and that it is four times more likely to affect boys compared to girls.
The Jeddah Autism Center, a non-profit organization, is the first of its kind in the Kingdom and is considered to be one of the leading social institutions offering good quality educational programs and support for families affected by autism.
“This art exhibition is our first initiative with Jeddah Autism Center but we hope to develop a long term relationship with them in light of the incredible work they’re offering in the Kingdom for autistic children and their parents,” said Hans-Peter Leitzke, MD, Rosewood Corniche.