Yesterday on July 18th 2012, Katara Cultural Village opened the doors of the newly established Katara Art Studios and Education Workshop Building. The Katara Art Studios (KAS) includes a fully equipped art studio, a lounge library and two workshop rooms intended to host educational programs in visual arts.
Sa’id Costa, Curator of Visual Arts Exhibitions and Educational Programs said, “We are confident that the new Katara Art Studios will have an important active role in supporting and developing our Qatari Artists and It will provide them with a platform to showcase their artistic abilities and enhance creative engagement.”
KAS will also host an International Artist in Residency Program, as well as host guest artists during their exhibitions at Katara Galleries. It will help local and international artists develop their talents and share their experiences.
To celebrate the month of Ramadan, KAS is currently hosting four exhibitions: “The Beauty of Words”, an Islamic Arts Exhibition in collaboration with the Sheikh Faissal bin Qassim Al Thani museum; “The Garden of Contemplation,” a large light installation exhibition by artist Simon Heijdens; “A Matter of Time”, a clocks sculpture exhibition by artist Daniel Weil; and an Arabic Calligraphy painting exhibition featuring works by Qatari artists.
The Ramadan program will run until the 30th August, 2012 and will feature a variety of educational and cultural activities, including an Anasheed Festival, a Ramadan Souq, and Qur’an classes.
Cultural celebrations like the Ramadan exhibitions at KAS offer a rich opportunity for learning that goes beyond traditional classroom settings. Through visual art, calligraphy, and light installations, students and visitors alike can connect deeply with themes of reflection, time, and devotion.
These immersive experiences, combined with educational activities like Qur’an classes and festivals, create a vibrant environment where cultural and spiritual literacy can flourish.
To support this type of learning at home or in school, tools like worksheets can be incredibly helpful in reinforcing concepts introduced during such events. The Reading Duck offers thoughtfully designed educational worksheets that can complement these experiences, encouraging children to engage with themes of culture, language, and art in meaningful ways.
Whether used as a follow-up to a visit or as part of a broader curriculum, these resources make it easier for learners to reflect, discuss, and deepen their understanding of the world around them.