Art therapy program concluded with special exhibition under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Dubai, UAE, June 14, 2016:   His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently inaugurated an exhibition showcasing the artworks of orphans involved in the ‘Selah Art Program’, which was founded and organised by The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in co-operation with Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation to support 'The UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors', launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, 

The event marked the conclusion of the year-long ‘Selah Art Program’, designed to help children and orphans to communicate their emotions and learn through expressive activity using art. The art exhibition showcased 84 artworks created by the children, was held in Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, and concluded on Monday, June 13th.

Following the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the exhibition and interacted with guests and participants. His Highness was accompanied by representatives of The Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation. 

The ‘Selah Art Program’, an initiative of The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in collaboration with Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, featured unique workshops designed to help the children connect with themselves, each other and the wider community, which were led by numerous Emirati volunteer artists. 

During the first workshop, the children created life-size portraits based on their likes and dislikes, reflecting on their identity, self-concept and associated emotions as a form of introducing themselves to one another within the group. 

The second workshop involved the children reflecting on what they want the wider community to know about them, including what makes them and their nation special, whilst the third session focused on the children’s external and internal representation of how they portray themselves to others, and how they feel internally. During this session, the children also explored which animal represents themselves the most, allowing them to reflect on their personality traits and character, and helping them to understand diversity amongst peers. The children were also asked to make a superhero puppet which represented a future self and reflected their resilience. They also chose a superpower which can be positively integrated into their daily lives.

The final session focused on the principle of creating a 'happy place'. The orphans and young children were tasked with working as a group to create their own happy place together by decorating materials, which were then arranged on canvases. Molds of the children’s hands were also used to create a unique sculpture.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said: “I was deeply moved by the achievements of the children who took part in the ‘Selah’ art program and their artworks displayed at the exhibition. Under the guidance of our wise leadership, today the UAE is a global leader in humanitarian and benevolent works that supports a number of extraordinary philanthropic campaigns throughout the year. The ‘Selah’ Art program is an exceptional initiative that helps many vulnerable and disadvantaged children enabling them to be recognised as valuable children in our society - it was my privilege to visit the exhibition and I commend everyone involved in this compassionate program.”

Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal, said: “We were honoured to see His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurate this special art exhibition and take part in celebrating the remarkable achievements of the orphans who participated in the Selah Art Program that continued for a year. The Art programme reflects Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s ongoing commitment and efforts to provide disadvantaged children and orphans with the opportunity to heal and grow through therapeutic art, over 80 children have benefited tremendously from the initiative and this art exhibition is testament to this. I’d like to thank everybody involved, who made this all possible and worked so hard with us to ensure the Program’s success, including the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, The Family Village, Dubai Mall, and the Emirati artists who participated in the artistic workshops.”

His Excellency Tayeb Al-Rais, Secretary General of Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, said: “In this humanitarian event, we would like to extend our gratitude to the Cultural Office of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The ‘Selah’ art program is a reflection of their highnesses’ kind and caring gestures that continues to provide overwhelming support to the Foundation.”

He added: “Organising this prominent event to support 'The UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors', reflects the ‘Selah’ art programs’ humanitarian role, where the creative work of the  children who participated in the artistic workshops - organised at different stages throughout the last year - were showcased to highlight the talented children’s creative artworks and present them to the community.”

The ‘Selah Art Program’ reflects Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s ongoing efforts to support humanitarian causes and the continued development of the UAE arts movement with the help of Emirati volunteers from the local arts scene. The Emirati volunteer artists worked closely with the children; helping them to grow and heal through self-expression and interaction. Numerous studies have linked art with positive emotional, social, physical and spiritual growth, which improves the ability of disadvantaged children to engage at schools and become well-rounded adults and valued members of their communities.