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ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP):The Little Art successfully concluded the 18th ArtBeat National Child Art Exhibition and Prize Distribution Ceremony at the Islamabad Art Gallery on Saturday, marking another milestone for ArtBeat, Pakistan’s largest and longest-running visual arts initiative dedicated to children and young people.
ArtBeat 18 invited children from across the country to creatively respond to three themes: Images of Nature, Spring in Pakistan, and Beyond the Stars.
This year’s edition received thousands of artworks from more than 500 schools across over 100 cities, including submissions from public sector institutions and children with special needs, reflecting the programme’s strong commitment to inclusivity and equal access to arts education.
After a rigorous evaluation process by a distinguished jury of artists and educators, 85 exceptional artworks from the northern region, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Abbottabad, were selected for display in the Islamabad exhibition.
The jury panel comprised Irfan Gul Dahri, Shireen Bano Rizvi, Ali Azmat, Waqas Khan, Kiran Saleem, and Najia Azmat, who assessed the entries with a focus on originality, creativity, and the unique visual language of each child.
Speaking at the ceremony, Awais Shafiq, Project Manager at The Little Art, said, “The jury approached every artwork with deep respect and sensitivity. ArtBeat continues to be a platform where children’s voices are not only seen but truly valued.”
The opening ceremony was attended by a distinguished gathering from the fields of visual arts, education, diplomacy, science, and music.
The guests of honour included Azam Jamal, visual artist and sculptor associated with fine arts departments of various universities; Zareen Gull, visual artist and art educationist; Aqeel Ahmed Solangi, Associate Professor and Head of Painting and Sculpture at NCA Rawalpindi and recipient of the Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust Fellowship; Nadia Batool Hussain, visual artist and Assistant Professor at NCA Rawalpindi; Ms. Lovisa Hofmann, First Secretary at the Swedish Embassy in Pakistan and human rights advocate; Yumna Majeed, space educator and founder of “Exploration,” a STEAM initiative promoting space science among youth; and Natasha Humera Ejaz, singer-songwriter, producer, and voice actor known for her work in Pakistan’s indie pop and folk jazz scene.
Initiated in 2012 by The Little Art, ArtBeat aims to nurture visual culture, encourage critical and creative thinking, and provide a meaningful platform for children’s voices across Pakistan. Over the past eighteen editions, the initiative has engaged tens of thousands of young artists nationwide.
The Little Art reaffirmed its commitment to empowering children and youth, particularly from under-represented communities, through sustained access to arts education, creative expression, and cultural engagement.