This is the very first workshop conducted by the best-selling, award-winning author, open to members of the public. The workshop will be held in an open platform format over four session (each two hours long) – more details on the workshop will be send to potential participants.

FEES: BD40

Send your contact details and a little bit about yourself (and your writing) to elhambahrain@yahoo.com or ali.alsaeed@yahoo.com

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION MARCH 15
SEATS ARE LIMITED – reserve your place today!

Egyptian Bahrain-based artist Jehan Saleh, who has been working with Albareh Art Gallery for the past five years, held her first solo exhibition at the Bahrain Contemporary Art Society last year. Jehan has been a student and observer of the many great artists who have passed through Albareh throughout the years. Her work embodies both sensitivity and transparency that reflect her own personality.

Joining Jehan is a young, bright Bahraini talent. Masooma Al-Noaimi is a 16-year-old student, whose paintbrush knows no limits. Her abstract paintings, filled with vibrant colors, usually speak of her past experiences. Her work will always hold strong and inspiring messages. She has participated in many art fairs and competitions, seeking new experiences to enrich her skills. “After all,” she says. “To me, art is the easiest language and paints are my survival tools”.

Poetry is the other field in which Masooma has ventured into from an early age since the age. She enjoys writing both, English and Arabic Poems. Masooma has also recently started to get behind her camera’s lens more often. Her photography captures the beauty of those unseen moments of everyday life.

Born in New Jersey, Mohammed Elmeshad, was exposed to American culture and literature from an early age. He had his first writing book at the age of five. After spending six years in Egypt during which he began to pen his stories, fiction, prose and doodles, as a teenager. After a short stint in Bahrain, Mohammed returned to the US to persue his higher studies in Washington DC and then spent two years with the Peace Corps in Benin and West Africa. Mohammed is currently “working on a desk in a cubicle in Bahrain”. Mohammed will read some of his fiction at the event.

“We’re always on the lookout for new talent and hope that people make the most of it. We want people who are serious about their art and who are committed, always open to bring in new, fresh ideas and challenge the perception of art and creativity,” Elham founder and organizer Ali Al Saeed said.

Those interested are encouraged to get in touch via email at elhambahrain@yahoo.com. The evening will commence at 7.30pm. All are welcome and entrance is free.

The event will bring together a host of talents, both recognized artists and new promising talents, led by Bahraini artist, sculptor and architect Moosa Silwadi, who had recently held his latest solo exhibition at Bin Matter House. Silwadi will be talking about his work, which is inspired by his unique architectural designs, while playing some live music.

Through the course of his career, Silwadi worked as an interior, exhibition designer and architect all of which enriched his artistic and practical perception and experience. The mystery of deconstruction, the rhythm of flamenco music and the coffee shop aroma of espresso influenced and strengthened the fluidity of his work and expression.

Accompanying him on the night will be newcomer Dinara Kadirova, the 24-year-old University of Westminster graduate who had only picked up the brush a few months ago and started producing some startlingly strong, abstract and figure-based paintings. Another debutant making an appearance is David Hollywood, who will recite some of his poetry.

The evening will conclude with a photography presentation featuring some of the finest images taken by the participants of the group’s third Photographers’ Day Out, which was held in December and led by Lebanese artist/photographer Camille Zakharia and Bahraini photographer Ahmed Al Zayer.

Al Riwaq Art Space, which officially reopened to the public last month (December), was the first venue to host Elham’s events when the group was first established in late 2006. “We’re excited about going back to Alriwaq, especially with their new wonderful space. We’ve always been proud of the great support we’ve been getting since we started from everyone but specifically Al Riwaq Art Space and Albareh Art Gallery, who also played a great part in promoting us in the last couple of years,” explained Elham founder Ali Al Saeed.

ELHAM22 will start at 7pm and everybody is welcome. Entrance is free.

It all began during the Elham Arts Festival last May, in which FACT Bahrain magazine introduced the Wall of Secerts wherein members of the public were invited to submit their confessions secretly, and they were then written on a white wall for all to see. The wall will once again be up at this event.

Now, some of these confessions will be turned into pieces of art: artists, photographers and writers are invited to partake in this experiment by selecting one of these confessions and creating a painting, drawing, photograph, poem or story based on it.

The event will also feature the works of young Bahraini fashion stylist Noor Al Shaikh, the creator of the “I Heart Vintage” store.  Noor collects vintage pieces of fashion from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s and creates unique outfits from them. She will showcase some of these and tell the stories of these vintage pieces, how she came to find them and what their origins are. Another participant will be 22-year-old Bahraini guitarist Ali Malik, who is a member of the heavy metal bank Re-alive, who will perform a selection of acoustic songs and musical compositions.

Those who wish to participate in transforming one of these confessions into a piece of art can contact the organizer. A selection of the produced artwork will then be considered for publication in FACT magazine.

ELHAM21 will be held on November 24^th at Qal’at Al-Bahrain Site Museum, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Entrance is free and all are welcome.

ELHAM19 will feature a “photo shoot” conducted by Ahmed Zayer that will involve the artists and the audience. Born in 1980, the Bahraini photographer developed his interest in imagery art at late 2006. Soon he established a career as one of the most remarkable and excitingly expressive forces in fashion and commercial photography. Working with local and regional celebrities, his artwork usually explores an amusing blend of focus, color, and environment; revealing the unique qualities of a star.

Self-taught vocalist, guitarist and composer of mostly rock and blues music, Faisal Sheikh will be performing some of his songs from his upcoming solo debut record, in the café terrace, in which he’ll invite the crowd to join in making music. He has a number of local gigs to his credit, mostly with his friends and his band called ‘The Tryout’. His songwriting usually revolves around the idea of people trying to get out of a rut, to find themselves and to progress in life. A couple of his home recordings can be heard on Elham’s compilation ‘Museland’.

Ahmed Zayer

While 23-year-old artist Yasmine Rasool will present some of her recent artworks and talk about her experience in making experimental and abstract art. Yasmine, a graduate of the Concordia College, Canada, with a studio arts and psychology degree, has recently participated in the experimental workshop and art exhibit ‘A Beautiful Mess’ at Alriwaq Art Gallery.

The evening will also introduce an international artist to Elham. American abstract artist Laurie Goddard, holder of BFA in printmaking from the Moore College of Art, will share her experience and present some of her artwork for the first time in Bahrain. The award-winning artist was involved in numerous art exhibitions across the United States since 2002.

With the slogan of “Art to the People”, the group aims to provide a creative and artistic environment that will showcase local talent and expose Bahrain based art to the public. From poetry, to music and from film to art, the festival will promote cultural dialogue and artistic expression.

The festival, to be held between May 13 and 16, is organized in collaboration with the Qal’at Al-Bahrain Museum, which was officially opened last year and coincides with the International Museums Day on May 18, a day celebrated every year by the International Council of Museums.

Qal’at Al-Bahrain Museum will be transformed into an art hub for the four days, hosting a variety of events such as workshops, performances and screenings, and will be open to the general public.

“We are excited about this event which we believe is the perfect way to conclude our third season. It embodies the spirit of Elham and celebrates the creative diversity that we in Bahrain are privileged to enjoy,” said Elham founder and co- organiser of the festival Ali Al Saeed.
Ali Al Saeed, an award winning author with three books under his belt, will himself be one of the participants in the festival, joining a group of established and promising artists from Bahrain. Others include Bahraini folk singer/song-writer Ala Ghawas, Bahraini conceptual artist Mariam Haji, and Bahraini digital artist Fawaz AlOlaiwat.

Irish artist Keith Winters and American artist Steve Mykietyn will conduct a performance and installation art project and workshop titled “Speed Towerz”.

The festival will commence with the opening of a group art exhibition on May 13th at the Arts Center from 7pm. On Thursday, May 14th, visitors will enjoy a poetry recital accompanied by an oud and acoustic music set followed on Friday, May 15th, by a music concert featuring local musicians at the Cultural Hall (has this been confirmed?) from 8pm. A talk on documentary photography by Lebanese artist and photographer Camille Zakharia will be held on the same day (May 15th) from 10am to 1pm.

“Such initiatives cannot succeed without the support and participation of the public. We hope that people will not only enjoy the art being showcased but also be inspired to create their own,” added Al Saeed, “

For more information please visit www.elhambahrain.net , email elhambahrain@yahoo.com or call (973) 3662 1223.