BD20,000 support for special art workshop
by mahmood on 01/06/08 at 3:44 pm · email · print
AN art workshop for people with special needs can now go ahead, thanks to the support of donors.
The Rotary Club of Adliya has donated BD20,000 to the Social Development Ministry which will establish the specialised art workshop. It is one of four planned for across the country.
The aim of the initiative is to give disabled artists the opportunity to experiment with their talent and sell their art.
“We thought it was a good thing to develop their artistic skills and maybe they will be able to take it up as a profession later and earn a living,” said club president Talal Al Mannai.
“This is really a genuine cause. Rotary’s goal is to serve the community and people with special needs are at the top of our priorities.
“In the past we have focused on other needs in the community such as cochlear implants for the hearing impaired and maintenance on houses for the needy.”
Mr Al Mannai presented the BD20,000 donation to Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi at her office in Isa Town.
The club raised the money by holding an Earth Day Art Competition at the Marina Club in March.
More than 230 children and adults participated in the event, which was held in collaboration with Ispektrum-Bahrain.
The theme of the project, Arts for the Earth, Arts for a Cause, was held to coincide with Earth Day on March 20.
The club raised a total of BD26,750 at the event. It donated BD2,000 to Ispektrum-Bahrain to help destitute Filipino workers and BD4,750 is to be given to other charities.
The environment-themed competition was open to four groups: primary and elementary school students; secondary school students; special needs artists; and professional artists.
The winners received cash prizes and sponsors received the winning painting of the prize category they supported.
More than 200 paintings are still available for purchase and the money generated will be used for charitable causes.
The paintings and a short film from the day can be purchased via http://earthdaybahrain.org
Source: GDN - Rebecca Torr · 1 June, '08
