JEDDAH – Bayan Barbood was declared grand winner of the 2013 1st Creative Design Competition at its conclusion held at Aya Mall. The competition under the theme “Arab calligraphy-our heritage” was sponsored and organized by Al-Sorayai Trading Industrial Group. The awards ceremony attracted hundreds of submissions from local Saudi female designers, competing in various categories. Design entries were evaluated based on originality, innovation, wear-ability and commercial viability. “Through this competition, which aims to promote and preserve the values and authenticity of Arabic and Islamic calligraphy and ensure that the work of our calligraphy artists conforms to accepted standards, we intend to continue our social responsibility toward our society and encourage our young talented female designers,” said Saleh Nasser Al Sorayai serves as Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director of Al Sorayai Trading and Industrial Group said. First winners of the competition were announced Thursday evening during the award ceremony held at Home Style- Aya Mall. Addressing attendees, Al Sorayai said at the evening ceremony “we continue to support our young Saudis, and develop their artistic creative production and this competition reflects the image of Arabic art.” In the spirit to encourage young artists to emulate the examples of the great masters of calligraphy, he said the main goal of the competition is have a platform where our Saudi female artists can show their best and at the same time to preserve the values and methods of Islamic calligraphy, and revive it through the encouragement of Saudi future generations of calligraphers. He added that next year's competition will have many surprises for those young Saudi artists.“ I am very happy to see such creative and talented girls and the awards will include many cash prizes and awards and certificates.” This year, 3000 calligraphers participated with art works in deferent categories of Arabic calligraphy known in the Islamic world. Contesters come from all over the Kingdom. The contest was judged by renowned-artists and officials of Al Sorayai Group who used various criteria when judging the designs: creativity, typographic skill and the overall impact of the piece. All winning designs were on display throughout the show at the Design Awards ceremony. The three finalists were as follow: Bayan Barbood won the first prize and received a check of SR20,000, Arwa Shafiaa grabbed the 2nd price of SR15,000 and Bashaaer Ba Hassan came in 3rd and received SR10,000. Commenting on winning the first prize, Bayan Barbood, whose interest in the art of calligraphy started in her early childhood, said “I am so happy to grab the first prize which I did not expect.” Al Sorayai surprised all finalists with special awards.
