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The comic section has been a resounding success at the festival this year and drawn packed audiences eager to its diverse workshops.

Sharjah: A highlight of the ongoing Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) this year is the Comic Station, where on Friday, Children were captivated by the Pop Art Workshop. Catering to attendees aged 7 and above, this creative session transformed plain white sheets of paper into vibrant canvases bursting with colour and imagination.

Under the guidance of Maha Al Meheiri, a creative instructor, some young artists meticulously followed her instructions to produce striking Pop Art pieces, while others ventured into the realm of comic characters, letting their creativity lead the way.

Maha encouraged them to embrace a boundless approach to art. “I tell children to have boundaries with colours and ideas. There is no stencilled approach. Every canvas is a reflection of the individual’s creativity,” she said, strongly encouraging them to explore various expressions in their artworks.

Pop art, which originated in the boroughs of post-war London during the 1950s, has since blossomed into a global phenomenon, resonating with both children and adults and serving as a vibrant medium for self-expression. The genre’s influence is particularly evident in the popularity of Japanese manga and anime across generations.

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During the workshop, siblings Haya and Sara, aged 11 and 13 respectively, sat at the forefront, their artwork a vivid testament to their passion. Sara, an avid manga reader, shared her dream, “I enjoy reading Japanese manga, especially Demon Slayer. I hope to publish my own comic book in a couple of years.”

In the 30-minute session, the children used pencils and an array of colours to craft their masterpieces. Among them was Haitham, a seven-year-old with confidence to spare. “I am the best, and no one can beat me in art,” he kept saying, while diligently crafting a drawing that bore a striking resemblance to Naruto, the beloved ninja warrior from Japanese anime.

Al Meheiri, who holds a master’s degree in barrier-free design from a Japanese university, sees art as therapeutic. “Art isn’t just therapy; it’s a means of expression that fosters creativity in children,” she said. Her expertise in barrier-free design is particularly geared towards inclusivity and ensures that children and individuals facing challenges in mobility, vision, hearing, or speech can fully engage with various art forms.

As the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival draws to a close on May 12, the event reflects the continued commitment of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) in fostering a love of reading and creativity among children.

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