DUBAI / 'Conversations' at Alserkal Avenue, on the night of the 28 of May, at Salsali Private Museum raised 225 000 AED for Manzil School of Special Needs by silently auctioning the artworks by the children. An exhibition was fully sold out, which refelects the interest and support from the public.

This very unique art exhibition in support of children with special needs held at Salsali Private Museum until June 5, 2012 for the first time shows the artworks of Manzil children in a professional context. This initiative has led to a dialogue between the society and the children with special needs through their art. The night was full of performances by the children, an emotional video about the school; it was a night where everyone from the partners to the guests could be a part of this project. Everyone was able to contribute by recording a voice message to the children about their work or writing a message on one of the cards, also through buying raffle tickets of 250 Dhs each, bidding on the artworks (starting bid 5000 Dhs) or by purchasing jewelry pieces made by the children. This initiative was supported by the top talent and organizations in the UAE and due to its success will be held on annual basis.

Photo from the art exhibition / Image Courtesy of Alserkal Avenue

Manzil School of Special Needs is located in Sharjah since 2006, which currently has 40 students of 9 nationalities. A school that teaches its students independence, and incorporates art activity as means of self-expression for the individuals between 5 and 30 years of age. Interviewed artsists about their work for the catalogue, seemed to all dwell on the theme of ‘happiness’, as Dr. Ayesha Saeed Husaini, the Director of Manzil school further describes ‘There is so much to learn from these young artists, unconditional love and acceptance of self is something many of us would spend endless hours and resources to gain. And yet these little artists who the world might see as children ‘with special needs’ are happy and content, seeing themselves as sources of joy…’

It is vital to support such initiatives, as the founder of Alserkal Avenue and the Patron of the Arts, Mr. Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal puts it ‘Conversations at Alserkal Avenue is dedicated to build a platform for undescovered talent to exhibit their works in a professional context by inviting the community to be a part of this dialogue.’

Photo from the art exhibition / Image Courtesy of Alserkal Avenue

Photo from the art exhibition / Image Courtesy of Alserkal Avenue


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