The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s Community Engagement team has organised a special workshop for 10 students from the Al Noor Institute for the Visually Impaired.
Conducted in partnership with Al Noor Institute and visually impaired British visual and performance artist Rachel Gadsden, the workshop focused on drawing and painting.
The workshop used the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar as an inspiration for students to create works of art, allowing them to express their pride that their country is hosting the most important football event in the world.
Gadsden expressed her enthusiasm about working with the Al Noor Institute students and helping them develop their talents.
The artist recalled that her father, a professional footballer, was careful to bring her up to be enthusiastic, and to love competition and a challenge.
“He was a real inspiration to me, especially in his passion for the game he loved. I owe him a lot because he motivated me to believe in my capabilities and my creativity.”
Gadsden had this message for the Al Noor Institute for the Visually Impaired students: “Even though as visually impaired people we cannot fully see our drawings and paintings, art resides in the imagination. I always make sure to teach students that imagination is the basis of art. Above all, art is an expression of thoughts and feelings - and not of what the eye sees.”
The SC’s community engagement manager, Khalid al-Jumaily, said: “We are keen to include all sectors of society in our programmes and plans relating to the first-ever World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East.
“We are delighted to organise these programmes in partnership with other institutions in Qatar. Our goal in organising this workshop is to present a successful example to students, motivating them to achieve their life goals and letting them know that they shouldn’t surrender to their circumstances.
“We believe that Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup should inspire creativity and human development in all sectors of the Qatari society.”
Ayman Hattab, co-ordinator of the workshop at the Al Noor Institute, stated that a highlight of the exercise was to present Gadsden’s successful example to the students, giving them inspiration.
“Rachel knows the circumstances the students face so she can engage with them and help uncover the artistic talents that they can use to express themselves. The skills and talents students display in this workshop will help us manage and develop our art programmes accordingly.”