Dubai, U.A.E. ART DUBAI 2018 – Saturday March 24th marked an important milestone for SAFIR as we launched our NGO for the first time in Dubai. At the event, which took place as a part of Art Dubai Modern’s Misk Lounge in Madinat Jumeirah, we hosted people of interest as well as collectors and art market influencers to have a talk about SAFIR and its aims. One of our co-founders, Hala Khayat, took the time to thoroughly explain to the audience exactly what SAFIR was founded for. She later introduced the artists and ambassadors that have become a part of the SAFIR program so far.
SAFIR Artists, Noor Bahjat, Alaa Sharabi and Juhayda Al BItar – all of whom currently reside in the U.A.E. – went on stage to address the audience regarding their work and how SAFIR has helped them move forward in their artistic careers. They each explained their preferred techniques and how they have evolved since joining the SAFIR family.
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- Noor Bhajat speaking at the SAFIR Launch
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- Juhayda Al BItar speaking at the SAFIR launch
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- Alaa Sharabi speaking at the SAFIR launch
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- Juhayda Al BItar, Hala Khayat and Lina Attar
Alongside the introduction of the artists, Khayat presented the newly established SAFIR Ambassadors’ Program. Two of SAFIR’s ambassador’s, Jouhayna Samawi and Lina Attar, were in attendance of the event and explained their upcoming plans for to support SAFIR’s capacity building and networking objectives in 2018.
SAFIR Ambassador Mrs. Lina Attar
The first project, led by Beirut based Ambassador, Mrs. Lina Attar, is revolves around enrolment enrolling SAFIR artists in English language classes in Beirut, and following up with them weekly. Attar went on stage to share her experience thus far. The second project, led by Dubai based Mrs. Jouhayna Samawi, will be an event hosted in the aims of growing our network, enhancing outreach and more thoroughly introduce our purpose and goals in the fall of 2018.
SAFIR Cofounder, Hala Khayat, paying tribute to the late Fathallah Zamroud
At the end of the presentation, Khayat dedicated the talk to our late founder Fathallah Zamroud and paid tribute to his legacy. She then addressed the audience on different ways they could support SAFIR by either donating to the cause or dedicating their time to enhance the artists’ experiences.
Watch the full launch on the video below: