The sixth edition of the Student Showcase, which this year is themed ‘Zayed and Tolerence’, has opened on Sunday, May 5, at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. The event, which is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), will run until May 22.
The ‘Zayed and Tolerance’ exhibition features hundreds of artworks from promising Abu Dhabi students. The showcase aims to inspire a younger generation of artists and students across the UAE.
The artwork displayed at the event, which coincides with the Year of Tolerance, mirrors the vision and values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who promoted tolerance and openness, and established these values across the UAE. The artworks also reflect the various school trips undertaken by Abu Dhabi students to different museums, historic sites and palaces across the emirate, including trips to Qasr Al Hosn and to Al Ain’s historic sites, such as Al Ain Palace Museum, Qasr Al Muwaiji and Al Jahili Fort.
The exhibition features the works of students enrolled in Mawhebaty, a talent development programme for visual and performing arts students organised by DCT Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with ADEK. The programme aims to discover talented students in the visual and performing arts disciplines.
A dedicated section of the exhibition highlights the work of visual arts students participating in the Rawa’e programme, a federal initiative focussed on gifted and talented youth, organised by the Ministry of Education.
“The return of this significant exhibition illustrates DCT Abu Dhabi’s continued commitment to promoting an understanding and appreciation of art, as well as our support for the creative arts in the community and especially in the younger generation,” said HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi. “This showcase of the best work from students shows the depth of talent we have in the emirate as well as the strong connection these young artists have with their heritage and culture. The theme of ‘Zayed and Tolerance’ has provided the perfect framework for the students to communicate their understanding of both their own heritage and also the potential for the future.”
The exhibition includes a participatory wall that engages students and the general public with the celebrated theme of tolerance.
HE Lubna Al Shamsi, Executive Director of School Operations Sector in Abu Dhabi, asserted the Ministry’s commitment to establishing an environment that nurtures students’ talents and skills in all fields, where they will be supported with the necessary resources to discover their talents, develop them with guidance, and the required knowledge and essential skills for personality building. She added the exhibition is an opportunity to highlight students’ artistic output and their ability to express themselves by presenting works that focus on the theme for this year.
HE Al Shamsi mentioned the Ministry of Education’s efforts to spread the values of tolerance and coexistence amongst students through the lessons they study in the curriculum. Discussing global figures who have had a clear impact on spreading tolerance globally, and its profound importance in advancing development in human societies, the Ministry also organises activities that emulate ideas related to tolerance, while engaging students in their formulation.
HE Dr. Yousef Al Sheryani, Undersecretary of ADEK, said: “Many of our students are talented and innovative and require our support in making people aware of their capabilities, while offering them opportunities that result in their growth and development. This is what we seek through platforms similar to this day, by which different talents, projects and models are presented, displayed and recognised by talented students, while offering various opportunities to showcase those different talents.
“Many of our students are gifted, however it is our duty to pinpoint and recognise that gift and refine, nurture, protect and strengthen it.”
HE Dr. Al Sheryani stressed that this constructive cooperation and its new initiatives correlate with the strategic plan for both DCT Abu Dhabi and ADEK regarding contributing to enhancing creativity and supporting talented students through protecting and further elevating their skills. He praised the pivotal role of DCT Abu Dhabi in supporting such creative and innovative activities and programmes.
Running from May 5- 22 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the exhibition will be open daily from 9am until 8pm.
