Shahd Alhamdan
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — "Earth and Ever After" is the theme this year for the third edition of the 21,39 art event, a non-profit initiative focused on Jeddah’s art and gallery scene.
This year, the curators are Saudi Art Council members Mona Khazindar and Hamza Serafi.
The event features several curated cultural events that will take place throughout Jeddah at local galleries and fine art institutions.
Artists from the Kingdom and internationally are expected to participate in this year, and several exhibitions, events and workshops are scheduled as part of the program.
The workshops will be open to the public and provide a chance for people to learn more about fine arts and photography.
This year 21,39 will focus on pieces of art that speak about the earth.
The event hopes to change the way society thinks about art, and also aims to educate new generations about art.
According to Saudi Art Council member Sara Ali Reza, school trips are scheduled for the fair, with the public schools having priority.
Reza said 21,39 will provide buses to bring students from grade four through to high school to events and workshops.
Before starting the tour, students will hear an introduction to the history of art in the Kingdom, and free meals will be provided for them.
Reza said more than 5,000 students from 200 schools visited the event last year.
UBS is the strategic program partner of The Saudi Art Council for “21,39” Jeddah Arts is UBS.
Other sponsors include Van Cleef and Arpels, the Al Mansouria Foundation for Culture and Creativity, Design Magazine, Tamer Group, Quintessentially Group, and Silver Spoon.
The event runs from February until May and is organized by the Saudi Art Council (SAC).
