A number of exhibitions and workshops at Katara – the Cultural Village continuously attract visitors and participants who spend their free time on artistic endeavours in Qatar.
Qatari artist Hassan Boujassoum’s ‘Good Old Days exhibition’ portrays the life of Qataris in the past, with 26 paintings displayed at Building No 22.
Each of the paintings tell stories of patience, determination and creativity, some of the known Qatari and Arab values.
The masterpieces paint a bigger picture of Qataris’ rich culture and heritage.  
Boujassoum’s depiction of Qatari life also gives visitors a glimpse of how their grandfathers struggled for the country’s achievements today. The exhibition, which opened on December 24 will conclude on January 4.
Like Boujassoum, another Qatari artist, Dana al-Safar also shared her own portrayal of people’s struggles, passion and lifestyle.
Al-Safar’s ‘Pink Shadows exhibition,’ which concluded yesterday, focused on the daily routine of women from different countries.
“Through a small brush and palette, I painted the features of women on the podium,” she said. “They did not have big muscles but rosy fingers.”
The female artist also described her subjects as those who “walked on stable steps but struggle sometimes.” Her paintings are a collection of different faces of women who do not belong to one race but face the same obstacles as others.
A graduate from Qatar University, al-Safar had participated in many art workshops, exhibitions, contests for a cause and activities, among others in the country. These include Qatar Environment Fine Art, charity auction for the benefit of blind children and live drawing for the Qatar National Day.
An upcoming workshop dubbed as ‘Seeing through my paint brush’ will take place from January 7 to 9 (10am to 10pm) at Katara Art Studios Building 19.
The activity will showcase the artistic talents of students from Al Noor Institute For The Blind.
The winter season also brings again QatART’s ‘Art and Craft Workshop and Pop-Up Shop’ starting on January 15 from 3pm to 8pm, also at Building 19.
QatART, a community of Qatar-based makers of art, craft and design, also held a series of art workshops and trainings during summer.
The group has attracted many followers since it started in September 2013.