A vibrant art exhibition at Jalal Baba Auditorium highlights the rich talent of Hazaras, fosters the growth of young artists and strengthens Abbottabad’s cultural identity through inclusive exhibitions and creative collaboration. PHOTOS: EXPRESS
ABBOTTABAD:
A vibrant art exhibition organized by the Abbottabad Academy of Performing Arts (AAPA) renewed optimism among artists, students and art enthusiasts across Hazara Division, highlighting the region’s rich creative talent and the growing need for dedicated cultural platforms.
Held at the Jalal Baba Auditorium in association with the Hazara Abaseen Arts Council, the event combined the Art Line Academy award ceremony with a large-scale exhibition of paintings, calligraphy and creative works by both established and emerging artists from across Hazara.
Visitors described the exhibition as a refreshing and long-awaited cultural initiative, noting that it was the first time in several years that artists from different districts of Hazara had been able to showcase their work together under one roof in Abbottabad.
Highlighting the importance of such a platform in the region, calligrapher Imama Rizwan said that earlier artists had to travel to Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other major cities to exhibit their works. She said the exhibition reflected the immense creative potential of young artists and demonstrated their ability to express contemporary ideas through art.
Chief guest and renowned artist Nasir Shahzad praised the initiative and stated that it showed the abundance of artistic talent in Hazara. He said artists require guidance, mentorship and opportunities rather than motivation alone, and described AAPA as a meaningful step towards building a sustainable artistic ecosystem.
Senior artist and vice president of Hazara Abaseen Arts Council, Qazi Zubair, praised the organizers for bringing established and emerging artists together on a single platform. He said such initiatives help project a positive image of Abbottabad and strengthen the cultural identity of the region.
Veteran artist Parvez Khan expressed joy at exhibiting his work among the local audience after nearly five decades of showcasing art in Pakistan. He described the experience as the fulfillment of a long-held ambition and encouraged young people to pursue the visual arts for creativity, personal development and emotional expression.
AAPA CEO Safdar Hussain said the academy was established to create a common platform for artists, students and cultural practitioners to collaborate and grow. He noted that more than a dozen artists participated in the inaugural exhibition, while the public response showed a strong demand for cultural activities in the region.
He further announced plans to launch a series of performing arts and creative arts programs aimed at providing education, mentorship and opportunities for young artists at regional and national levels.
