Gallery Al-Baghdadi

Basra: Visual artist opens gallery to foster young talents

2024-07-24 | 12:43

BASRA — Visual artist Sumaya Al-Baghdadi has brought her vision to life with the opening of Gallery Al-Baghdadi, a new artistic haven near Basra’s renowned Al-Farahidi Street. This gallery is set to become a vibrant center for children and budding artists to explore various forms of art, including sculpture, ceramics, music, calligraphy, and handicrafts such as knitting, collage, and glass painting.

Staffed by seven trainers, all graduates of fine arts, Gallery Al-Baghdadi is poised to be a nurturing ground for talent. Al-Baghdadi, an art educational supervisor and accomplished visual artist specializing in ceramics, has been sharing her expertise for over a decade. Now, she has a dedicated space to gather eager learners under one roof.

“I’ve always dreamed of creating a space where young talents can flourish,” Al-Baghdadi told 964media. “The gallery will offer numerous training courses for children and youth of all genders. Fridays will be open for everyone to experience visual arts freely.”

The gallery features three specialized sections for painting, pottery, and a display area showcasing artworks from Basra’s diverse artistic community. The opening event drew a significant crowd of local artists, all eager to support and encourage this new initiative aimed at cultivating the next generation of creatives.

Hiba Allah Hashim, a local painter, expressed her excitement about the gallery’s potential. “This gallery is a fantastic opportunity to nurture children and engage them in creative activities,” she said. “It also provides us, as painters, a platform to hold exhibitions and develop our skills.”

Sumaya Al-Baghdadi, who has participated in six solo exhibitions and numerous local and international art events, emphasized the importance of community support. “We have worked hard to open this project, with invaluable help from my husband and children,” she shared. “Their support has been crucial in making this dream a reality.”

With Gallery Al-Baghdadi, Sumaya Al-Baghdadi hopes to inspire a love of the arts in Basra’s youth, offering them the tools and guidance to explore their creativity and potential.