As part of its continuous efforts to nurture Emirati talents, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has organized a 12-day arts production workshop at its headquarters for Emirati illustrators, which will enable the artists to qualify for participation in the upcoming Bologna International Children's Book Fair, Sharjah will be the Guest of Honor of the 57th edition set to take place in April 2020.
The workshop titled ‘Illustration is the second script’ is part of a series of workshops organised by SBA. Egyptian artist Waleed Tahir oversaw the artistic production of the Emirati artists who were able to creatively create illustrations that convey the storyline, which will be included in children’s books.
The illustrators took part in a brainstorming session during the first three days. The seasons resulted in creative ideas used in illustrations to narrate a second storylines accompanying the written script. The Emirati illustrators choose various topics with different creative ideas that were evaluated, in addition to selecting raw illustration materials that can be used in the stories.
The SBA was launched in 2014 by an Emiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. SBA’s mandate includes enhancing investment in the creative industries, building a platform for cultural and knowledge exchange across the world, highlighting the importance of books in today’s multimedia world, and supporting the children’s book industry.