Children engage in some of the art workshops such as clay sculpture. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar
By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
Souq Waqif marked the second day of Eid al-Fitr with art activities, fun-filled games, and musical concerts for families and children yesterday.
Dubbed as “Paint the Eid,” the festival offered free art workshops to visitors at the Souq Waqif Art Centre. Some of the activities have engaged children in drawing, clay sculpture, and grains (sand) art, among others.
The centre hosts basalt mural arts, airbrush workshop, cartoons (caricature) drawing, Eid dishes art, and grains art workshop which attracted many
visitors and tourists yesterday.
Masoud Rashid al-Bulushi, festival supervisor at Souq Waqif Art Centre, said that a number of Arab artists have come to showcase their masterpieces and conduct live art demonstrations at the centre.
“We want children to participate in our activities here for them to appreciate the beauty of art. They are free to draw and paint, and they can bring home their art works,” he said.
Art workshops will run until July 23 from 4.30pm to 9.30pm.
Artists hold free caricature and painting demonstrations, giving visitors a chance to have their own portraits for free.
The grains art workshop has attracted many children because of the joy and uniqueness it
offers.
Supervised by the artists, visitors fill small clear bottles with coloured grains and try to make a design of their choice. The bottles can be used as home decors and collections at home or in the office.
The centre also invited a lady artist who designs small drums made of sheep skin (leather) by using colours which she created out of unique materials.
“When I see something interesting and attractive from my environment, I put that in mind and create unique Arab designs and then I apply it on my masterpieces,” she said.
Al-Bulushi noted that they organised the art activities to feature something different, out-of-the-box and for children to become active in the arts this Eid al-Fitr.
As part of the Eid celebration, Souq Waqif also built a ventilated monopoly tent at Al Ahmed Square (beside the Gold Souq) which is along the Grand Hamad Street to house all the children’s games and activities. These include Angry Bird life-size game, air hockey, Batak speed reflex, simulator game, boxer bag, mini bowling, basketball shootout, human size pool, train ride and a lot more.
Stilt walkers who roam around the huge tent welcomed and entertained a large number of visitors yesterday. The tent opens at 4pm and closes at 10pm.
Souq Waqif also hosts daily music concerts in collaboration with Sout Al Rayyan Radio
Station.
Family entertainment shows in malls and a number of venues such as Katara – the Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar continued to attract many visitors.
Children participated in various activities at 18 La Croisette, Porto Arabia such as face painting, decorating cupcakes art workshops, bending balloons and playing with some of the uniquely costumed mascots.
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and its public and private partners have organised the shows, activities and events in this year’s Eid celebration.
Sesame Street Elmo Makes Music also kicked off yesterday at the Qatar National Convention Centre and will run until July 22. Tickets cost QR110, QR170, QR230, and QR350.