Diverse Workshops

Photography and Cinema Sessions:
These sessions will be hosted at various Dubai Public Libraries, offering participants a deep dive into visual storytelling. Hala Kassab leads the Art Club workshops at Al Safa Art and Design Library, where children will explore collage and multimedia techniques. The Photography Club at the same location offers sessions on storytelling through photojournalism, tailored for children aged 6 to 15.

At Al Mankhool Public Library, the Cinema Club, supervised by Touma Bittar, will train participants in analyzing classic films, understanding visual composition, and mastering camera movements to enhance storytelling. Meanwhile, Nasser Haji will present the ‘Capturing Togetherness: From the Heart to the Lens’ workshop at Thukher Club, focusing on family photo creation techniques. Additionally, his ‘Lens of Memories’ workshop at Hatta Public Library will delve into using photography to tell stories about Emirati heritage and culture. Consequently, these workshops will offer a comprehensive approach to both cinematic and photographic arts..

Cinema Club:
In addition to the Cinema Club’s analytical workshops, there will be a series of sessions at Al Mankhool Library focusing on cinematic composition, camera movements, and integrating framing techniques. Moreover, the month will conclude with a film screening, which will provide a platform for participants to apply their newly acquired skills. Consequently, these sessions will not only build technical expertise but also offer practical experience in the art of cinema.

Arts & Games Session

Chess Club:
Running at Al Twar Library, the Chess Club will continue its educational series with workshops aimed at enhancing strategic thinking and chess tactics. Participants aged 6 and above will engage in various sessions, from decoding endgames to mastering advanced chess strategies.

Art Club:
The Art Club, hosted at Al Safa Art and Design Library, offers creative sessions like collage-making, crafting from scraps, and porcelain plate painting. These workshops are open to children and adults, encouraging participants to explore their artistic abilities.

A Platform for Creative Expression

The “School of Life” workshops aim to create a sustainable creative ecosystem in Dubai, providing community members with opportunities to develop their skills in photography, cinema, and the arts. Consequently, by engaging with these workshops, participants will not only enhance their artistic abilities but also contribute to the broader cultural landscape of Dubai. Additionally, these workshops serve to enrich the local creative community, fostering both personal growth and collective cultural development.

Supporting Reading and Knowledge

Concurrent with these workshops, the Al Safa Art and Design Library will host a Second-Hand Book Fair, promoting reading and knowledge among young readers. The fair will run from 8 AM to 8 PM, Sunday through Thursday, and from 8 AM to 12 PM on Fridays, offering a valuable collection of used books at affordable prices.

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Life’s trajectory for Sankha was altered dramatically at the tender age of three when polio struck, demanding that he relearn even the simplest of movements. The struggle of those formative years endowed him with an acute sense of observation, a unique perspective that would prove invaluable in his later career as a photojournalist.

A science graduate and proud recipient of the first-class certificate from the Photographic Association of Dum Dum (PAD), a renowned photography school founded by the esteemed Benu Sen in 1957, Sankha’s early professional journey was in the print media. His lens became a window to the world, capturing moments that would unfold in Bengali newspapers. This path eventually led him to Gulf News, a prominent UAE-based newspaper, where his role as a photojournalist would transcend borders.

Sankha’s rise through the ranks culminated in him becoming the photo editor of the group’s newly introduced tabloid, a position that showcased his unyielding thirst for knowledge. This drive led him to explore the realms of wildlife and fine art photography, birthing projects that stand as testament to his passion. One such endeavor is “Fluid Moments,” a collection that immortalizes water in its myriad forms – droplets frozen in time, evolving shapes, and shifting hues – all meticulously observed and captured by Sankha’s discerning lens.

Each photograph within “Fluid Moments” is a snippet of pure observation, an intimate communion with an everyday element that possesses the power to reshape perspectives. The collection serves as a poignant reminder that even the most ordinary subjects can harbor profound beauty and significance.

Currently gracing the walls of the Maya Art Space in Kolkata, the “Fluid Moments” exhibition is set to enrapture visitors until August 27, 2023. Coinciding with this exhibit, Sankha Kar has unveiled his book, “Photojournalism – Writing The Headlines.” This literary offering is more than a memoir; it’s a compendium of Sankha’s experiences and insights gleaned from the bustling newsrooms and the field. An invaluable resource for aspiring photojournalists and anyone intrigued by the art, the book encapsulates the essence of storytelling through images.

Sankha Kar’s journey from adversity to artistry is an inspiring saga. From the struggle of polio to the triumph of capturing life’s fleeting instants through the camera, he stands as a living embodiment of the resilience of the human spirit. As “Fluid Moments” continues to grace the walls of Maya Art Space, and as “Photojournalism – Writing The Headlines” finds its way into eager hands, Sankha Kar’s legacy solidifies – a legacy that reminds us all to find beauty in the simplest of moments.

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Submissions will be accepted until Saturday, July 3. Photographers can submit up to six photographs with each application and must provide descriptions of the works and a biography. After the submission, a jury of photographers will begin the selection process for the Vantage Point Sharjah 9 exhibition in September. The jury will select a winner for each category who will be awarded $1,500.

Among the jury members is Moroccan photographer M’hammed Kilito, whose portrait series Among You was shown at Vantage Point Sharjah in 2019, and Syrian photographer and architect Sham Enbashi, who was part of the Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artists Fellowship (Seaf) in Abu Dhabi in 2016. Emirati photographers Ammar Al Attar and Alia Al Shamsi are also members.

Over the years, Vantage Point Sharjah widened its open call geographically and thematically. In 2019, it began accepting applicants outside the GCC and allowed works across various themes and styles. Last year, more than 30 photographers from 20 countries took part.

Vantage Point Sharjah 9 is scheduled to take place at Al Hamriyah Studios, an off-site location for Sharjah Art Foundation on Saturday, September 18.

More details on submitting work can be found at sharjahart.org

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