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Curtains down on 6th RAK Fine Arts Festival

Ras Al Khaimah - This year, the festival had a new category for 'recycled art' in collaboration with the waste management authority.

The sixth Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival came to a close on Friday. The annual event showcased the work of more than 70 artists and directors from around the world, mainly the GCC countries, and drew a wide audience.
Suqrat bin Bisher, director of Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, told Khaleej Times that nine awards were presented during the festival in visual arts, photography, film, recycled art, and student categories.
"This year, the festival had a new category for 'recycled art' in collaboration with the waste management authority. Two prizes of Dh2,500 were given to the winners."
This year, the festival saw some 45 per cent more works as compared to previous editions, he said. "The stunning works spanned visual arts, photography, portrait, sculpture, abstract art, narrative film, documentary film, recycled art, and students' works."
Though the festival is a not-for-profit initiative of the Al Qasimi Foundation, various awards await the participants in the coming editions. "The top winner will have an opportunity to shoot 20 pictures of Ras Al Khaimah which will be then gifted to the emirate's dignitaries and high profile visitors."
Dr Natasha Ridge, executive director of the Al Qasimi Foundation, told Khaleej Times that unlike previous one-week editions, this year the event has been extended for two weeks. "We had a variety of workshops for students, inspiring artists, photography, and more. We are also trying to make sustainability, the core of the festival.
 The festivities, open to the public, counted renowned Emirati fashion designers Eman and Elham Al Flamrzi as well as noted actors Jamal Alghailan, Mansoor Al Feeli, and Sumaya Al Khinna among its attendees.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
Winners:
> KG Sadasivan Gopalakrishnan, Cashew Family - Jury Award: Visual Arts 
> Maheshwarappa Ninge Gowda, Fire n' Rain - Highly Commended: Visual Arts 
> Larry Jay, Perspective - Jury Award: Photography 
> Fatima Al Hayyas, Past and Heritage - Highly Commended: Photography 
> Nayla Al Khaja, Animal - Jury Award: Narrative Film 
> Shaymaa Al Naqbi, Together We Can - Jury Award: Documentary Film 
> Salma Sohail, Urban - Jury Award: Recycled Art 
> Spencer Hogg, Stop Selling the Planet - Jury Award: Recycled Art
> Afreen Nizam, Black Beauty - Student Artist of the Year