RAWALPINDI: A painting exhibition to showcase the work of budding artists was held at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) in collaboration with VSCOPK, an organisation to promote art and culture, on Thursday.

PAC Director General Syed Bilal Haider was the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the exhibit, in which more than 70 artworks by the new artists from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were on display.

The artists presented works of different genres, including landscape, cityscape, portrait, and imagery, while most of the artists captured nature and the beauty of human modes on their canvas.

Mr Haider distributed certificates of appreciation to all the artists who took part in the exhibition and stated that the display was simple but captivating, as the PAC always encouraged new talent.

RAC Director Waqar Ahmed noted that PAC had always provided a platform for young talent to showcase their work.

He appreciated the selection of colours with which the artists presented the landscape of the country and said there was a need to explore the beauty of the country to present a soft image to the world.

After the exhibition, a meeting of the Board of Management was held, chaired by the PAC director general.

Mr Haider informed board members about the aims and objectives and that PAC was organising a national-level drama festival in which teams from all four provinces of Pakistan will participate.

“Provincial-level singing and painting competitions will be held in February and March,” Mr Haider added.

He further said that an artist entrepreneur fund of Rs 1 billion is being established for the welfare of artists, out of which interest-free loans of up to Rs 2.5 million will be given to artists, artisans, and fine arts graduates.

“New arts councils will be established in all 36 districts of Punjab. Arts classes have been launched across the province to promote the arts,” he added.

Asma Butt, Babar Niazi, Aslam Mughal, Mohammad Azim Iqbal, Director Waqar Ahmed, Deputy Director Mohammad Shakur, Assistant Director Mohammad Suleman, Internal Auditor Saqlain Mehmood, and Waqar Ali participated in the board members meeting.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2024