MUSCAT: Children are turning their summer holidays into a journey of creativity and discovery through art workshops organised by the Oman Fine Arts Society (OFAS), where young participants are exploring sculpture, photography, painting and other creative disciplines.
At the Summer Arts 2026 programme, children of different age groups experimented with foam clay, creating dinosaurs, turtles, camels, flowers, mushrooms, cartoon characters and imaginative sculptures as they took their first steps into the world of three-dimensional art.
“Two snails are racing with each other on a mud path. One is called Turbo, and the other is yet to be named,” one young participant explained while describing his creation.
Awatif bin Ali al Fazari, Director of Art Studio at the Oman Fine Arts Society, said the programme encourages children to explore their creativity through hands-on learning. The first session was dedicated to girls, followed by a session for boys, with participants continuing their artistic journey through different workshops.
Foam clay, a lightweight air-drying craft material, was among the mediums introduced to the children, while upcoming sessions include photography classes.
Artist and sculptor Ahmed bin Nasser al Rumhi, who is training the students, said the programme helps children acquire new skills while developing social connections.
“The children have learnt something new, and most importantly, they have made new friends. Summer holidays are the perfect time to develop creativity and social skills,” he said.
Organised as part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth’s efforts to promote cultural engagement and nurture young talent, Summer Arts 2026 offers workshops in fine arts, photography, calligraphy, music, theatre, film, content creation, digital arts and artificial intelligence.
Laila Awlad Thani, Head of the Media Department, said the initiative aims to provide a stimulating environment for young talents through specialised workshops combining traditional and modern art forms.
The programme seeks to make productive use of the summer break by developing artistic abilities, strengthening national identity, promoting cultural heritage and encouraging creativity among Oman’s younger generation.
Meanwhile, the Children's Cultural Centre Summer Programme (Summer of Knowledge) 2026 is also offering cultural, scientific and creative activities for children aged 6 to 16, focusing on skills development, innovation and lifelong learning.
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