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Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) hosted the launch of the book ‘Contemporary Art from Qatar: The Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani Collection.'This publication celebrates three decades of dedicated art collection by His Excellency Dr Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, a visionary patron and champion of Qatar’s creative ambitions and vibrant cultural landscape.**media[411911]**The launch ceremony was attended by a large number of people, including His Excellency Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari, State Minister and President of Qatar National Library; several dignitaries; faculty, staff and students from VCUarts Qatar and a large number of guests.The book traces the remarkable evolution of Qatari art – from heritage-based traditions and traditional motifs to innovative, globally engaged contemporary practices – offering an insightful narrative on the development of the nation’s artistic identity and rapid transformation.Engaging in a lively conversation with the dean of VCUarts Qatar, Amir Berbic, Sheikh Abdulla said he enjoyed looking at art and visiting museums and galleries for a long time during his studies, which made him collect artworks.“That is when it all started. And mainly it is driven by what I like. It is the first attraction that takes me to a painting or a work that I want to have in my collection. So it is mainly driven by my personal interest,” he noted.Sheikh Abdulla explained: “I cannot hide that some of the work that I enjoyed and collected, are a collection of historical rooms, which I think is important for us here in Qatar. So in a way, that goes with the responsibility of creating a comprehensive collection that reflects on what I am preserving. Some people call me a collector. I look at myself as a protector for this collection, as a custodian for this collection that will move to another generation that they can enjoy in the future.”Sheikh Abdulla said that he will go for the collection of any art piece on different attractions such as the colour of an art work. “Sometimes it's like a memory in your mind that makes you like that work. And, sometimes it is just because it is a historical item and has a historical moment that is important for the country. So I would love to have that as part of my collection,” he added.The book launch is held in conjunction with the official opening of the exhibition 'Pulse of Place': Selected Works from the Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani Collection' at the Gallery at VCUarts Qatar running from January 25 to March 7. This exhibition features works by 11 talented Qatari artists and designers—alumni of VCUarts Qatar—who are also represented in the book, highlighting the enduring impact of local talent nurtured through education and patronage.“With Pulse of Place, we are offering a physical manifestation of the narratives captured in Dr Abdulla’s new publication,” said Chase Westfall, head of gallery at VCUarts Qatar. “This exhibition does more than display the work of 11 extraordinary alumni, it illuminates the tangible role that VCUarts Qatar has played in forging Qatar’s visual culture.” 

The Gallery at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) is to present “YA 3ASAL”, a new solo exhibition by British-Sudanese artist and designer Sarah Elawad, on view from August 28 to October 9.In YA 3ASAL, Elawad draws on personal memories and shared cultural practices to explore the deep emotional and symbolic meanings of sweets in Arab and Sudanese traditions of hospitality.The title itself – YA 3ASAL, a common Arabic term of endearment meaning “Hey, honey!” – captures the exhibition’s warm, affectionate tone and its celebration of connection through sensory experience.The inspiration for the exhibition began with a small but powerful moment.As Elawad recounts: “A few months ago, I was at Eid prayer in Washington Square Park in New York when a little girl tapped me on the shoulder and offered me a caramel.“As I bit into it, I was immediately taken back to my childhood – to our family living room full of guests, the smell of bakhoor in the air.”This encounter sparked a deeper reflection on the way food, particularly sweets, can act as vessels of memory and emotion.At the heart of the exhibition is a recognition of how sweetness operates as a cultural language of love, celebration, and care.Elawad notes that in many Arab households, “it’s almost disrespectful to not have something sweet to offer your guests”.“Whether it’s a sugary drink, a baked good, or a piece of chocolate from a box, sweets are a way of showing hospitality, of spreading joy,” she said.For Chase Westfall, the director of Exhibitions and Programmes at VCUarts Qatar and co-curator of the show, Elawad’s work resonates on multiple levels.“Sarah Elawad’s work is visually lush and emotionally resonant,” he said. “She has a remarkable ability to translate personal memory into collective meaning, inviting us to feel, remember, and reflect through the universal language of sweets and care.”In this spirit, YA 3ASAL transforms the gallery into a space of shared memory.Shimmering textiles, brightly coloured walls, glowing television screens, and playful graphic forms nod to the living rooms and parlours where rituals of hospitality unfold.Curated by Dina Alkhateeb, the head of Gallery Chase Westfall and The Gallery’s Associate Curator of Campus Projects, the exhibition is part of The Gallery at VCUarts Qatar’s ongoing mission to present innovative, cross-cultural work that speaks to identity, place, and personal experience.

As we begin the 2025-2026 academic year, I am delighted to welcome all of our students, both returning and new, to Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar. Your presence here marks the start of a new chapter filled with creativity, ambition, and discovery, within one of the most dynamic and diverse educational communities in the region. This past week, we celebrated Convocation, welcoming the incoming class into our community through the Rams Spirit Walk and the presentation of the New Student Stole. These symbols represent our traditions, pride, and sense of belonging. These moments go beyond mere ceremony; they mark the beginning of a journey shaped by inspiration, collaboration, and creativity. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue building on our tradition of academic excellence while further expanding opportunities for leadership, extracurricular engagement, and cross-disciplinary exploration. At VCUarts Qatar, we believe that a student’s journey extends beyond the classroom. It includes engaging in cultural dialogue, participating in community initiatives, and exploring creative practices that transcend boundaries. With more than six academic programmes, including graphic design, interior design, kinetic imaging, painting and printmaking, art history, and our MFA in design, our students have access to a breadth of opportunities to grow as artists, designers, and thinkers. To our new students: my message to you is simple; embrace this chapter of your life with courage and openness. Say “yes” to new experiences, and don’t shy away from challenges. These are the moments that will shape your growth and define your success. I wish each of you a year filled with accomplishments, creativity, and meaningful connections that will enrich your lives and leave a lasting impact on your communities and beyond.