Art show in Dhahran uses brushstrokes for charity

Dhahran High School, an American international school, held its 14th annual art show recently. Funds raised from selling the art pieces were donated to Habitat for Humanity, a worldwide organization dedicated to building homes for the homeless. Commenting on the event, Abeera Atique, department head of art and Habitat for Humanity sponsor said, “My students and I work the entire year to create different types of masterpieces for this art show. We believe we have a moral obligation to help less fortunate people in the world.” Alichia Gerber and Retief Gerber, two other sponsors from Habitat for Humanity, undertook four trips to different parts of the world to help build homes. Superintendent Norma Hudson, the guest of honor, inaugurated the event. Hudson, who has dedicated 33 years of his work to the International Schools Group (ISG) network thanked the young artists and Atique for their creative work and humanitarian contribution. Meanwhile, Mary Stephanie Carranza, president of the Habitat for Humanity club said, “It was a great honor to have Dr. Hudson as our guest of honor. We’re also very lucky to have a superintendent who has a passion for art.” Over 375 people attended the event and 500 pieces of art were displayed, seven of which were auctioned off including a quilt made by teachers Barbara Dunlevy and Janet Chambers. A raffle draw was also held. Norhan Elsaadawy, Besiana Sinanaj, Mariati Messinger and Nicola Bangsil, were among the art students who received recognition. A wide range of art mediums were used, including sculptures, woodwork, acrylic and oil paintings, charcoal and masks. Besiana Sinanaj focused on nature and the simplistic view of certain objects, while Nicola Bangsil expressed personal ideals that she found significant. A face of a woman made of thin wires or a plastic-bottle man lit up with lights were among the unique pieces displayed at the art exhibition. The money collected from the art show will be channeled toward supporting the students’ efforts to build houses around the world through the Habitat program. The goal this year is to raise SR 150,000 and senior Habitat executives and sponsors are hoping that the art show will contribute toward reaching that objective. “It’s not all about money. As important as it is to raise funds to build the houses; what we’re aiming for is to change the hearts of the students. To make them realize that making a difference in the world can start right here on campus,” said Carranza. Money generated from last year’s art show helped fund trips to the Philippines, Nepal, Ghana, and Thailand in which students actively participated in a humanitarian mission. Source: Arab News