Launching on May 5th, Bridging Nations brings together a diverse group of individuals in the Sultanate of Oman. Seventeen accomplished artists will collaborate with seventeen children and young adults possessing unique skills and special needs. Their mission? To collectively interpret the United Nations' sustainable goals through artistry.
Initiated by Madeleine ImKey, the founder of Bridging Nations, this initiative marks a historic moment for the Societe Academique D’encouragement D'Education Arts - Science - Lettres, established in 1915, as it ventures beyond the borders of France. The artists and their young counterparts will convene at the Music Palace, Al Mouj, for a three-day workshop aimed at nurturing creativity and camaraderie. Each pair will focus on a specific sustainable goal, fostering collaboration and innovation.
“The artists, along with children and young adults with special skills and needs will be attending a three-day workshop at the Music Palace, Al Mouj. Each duo will work hand in hand on their art related to one sustainable goal from the United Nations,” said Madeleine.
The opening ceremony is to be held on May 5th at Kempinski Hotel. The President of the French Academy will be attending the event. A special jury will assess the paintings. The award ceremony is to be held at the French Embassy on May 8, where the best paintings out of the whole collection will win two gold medals and two silver medals, and all the artists will receive certificates.
The final ceremony will be when the paintings will be exhibited at Muscat International Airport on May 9th.
Madeleine pointed out that the goal of the Academy is to sustain culture through Arts, Science and Literature.
“So all the artists, scientists and writers are welcome to submit their candidacy and present it to the Academy to be awarded on October 6th in Paris - the Academy’s 109th anniversary,” urged Madeleine.
Driven by her artistic passion and accolades, Madeleine's journey with Bridging Nations began after receiving recognition from the French Academy for Arts, Science, and Lettres in October of the previous year. Enthralled by Oman's rich cultural tapestry during a six-month stay in 2018, she felt compelled to initiate her project in a place she deeply cherished.
A born artist, not trained, Madeleine said she was honoured by the privilege given to her by the academy. As a way of paying forward, she wanted to begin her project in Oman, a country she had enjoyed staying in.
“I have a deep connection to the land. The land has a soul,” she said.
Madeleine said all the artists will be allowed to enter the academy by submitting their candidacy, which will be reviewed officially. She added that Oman serves as the kick-off point for the initiative, but the programme itself will expand, holding its counterpart activities in different countries across the Middle East, particularly the GCC.
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