Nisma Rafiq

Saudi Gazette

British artist David Hockney said: “If you can draw, even a little bit, you can express all kinds of ideas that might otherwise be lost - delights, frustrations, whatever torments you or pleases you.”



Experts also believe that art teaches children the skills necessary to succeed in life, including problem solving, decision making and self confidence. There is a strong correlation between involvement in arts and achievement in classroom.



Since art helps children express freely and creatively, Young Rembrandts, an international educator of arts, has recently opened its institute in Saudi Arabia.



Operation manager Abeer Julidan said: “Young Rembrandts brings out the power of drawing in kids. Every child is an artist but they must be given the opportunity to bring out their talent and that is why we have come here to Saudi Arabia after being successful in the United States, Canada and Jordan.”



Young Rembrandts offers a unique drawing program for children of two age groups: 3.5 to 5 and 6 to 12.



Art also enhances students’ thinking skills. Tala Kuzbai, 12, wants to be doctor when she grows up, but drawing is her hobby that is why she has joined Young Rembrandts.



Hanan Obedad, a teacher and a mother, recently asked Young Rembrandts to arrange classes in her residential compound. “I wanted the children to utilize their free time doing something creative and everyone loves art. So I asked Julidan to bring the Young Rembrandts camp to Sunset Compounds, Jeddah.”



“The CEO and founder of Young Rembrandts Bette Fetter began her career as a professional artist. Equipped with the principles of Montessori method, she served the need of young children around her kitchen table first and later as a class room instructor,” said Moona Gama, a trainee teacher at Young Rembrandts.



She added: “You don’t have to go to the program; the program comes to you. The curriculum is designed by artists, doctors, psychologist who have studied kids and their interests; it creates an understanding of visual art.”



Young Rembrandts’ instructors teach a proper curriculum at host sites. Noha Madani, an instructor, educates teachers according to the class they teach.



Classes at Young Rembrandts are held once a week for 45 to 60 minutes. They complete one new drawing each week and participate in an art history lesson every month.”We provide every medium from paper to colors,” Julidan.



Maryam, 12, a student of Al Yusr International School, wants to be a professional artist so she enrolled herself in Young Rembrandts.



Karim Dagaidi, 11, and Ismael Mohsin, 13, are still finding out what their future holds for them but for now they are in love with drawing.

Julidan has high hopes from Young Rembrandts in Saudi Arabia. She wants the program to be as successful as it was in the United States.



So far the feedback received from parents and their children is very encouraging. The drawing program is designed in such a way that it can be part of their curriculum in school or an activity after school hours.



“Participating in Young Rembrandts ensures that children will never grow up to say “I can’t draw,” said Julidan.



Young Rembrandts provides lots of opportunities to grow mentally and creatively. So if you want to be the future Van Gough or Da Vinci, or even if you have just opted drawing as a hobby, then hop over to Young Rembrandts. You can even call them to your school or area and bring out the artist in yourself.