The Art. Coordinate Foundation proudly hosted the International Teen Art Awards ceremony, a celebration of creativity and talent, at the prestigious SEE Institute in Dubai Sustainable City. The event, which showcased the remarkable achievements of young artists, was a resounding success, thanks to the people who joined hands in making it a triumph.
Imagine a gathering where creativity soared higher than the tallest skyscraper, and passion burned brighter than the desert sun. That’s exactly what the event embodied—a haven where artistic souls from across the globe converged to celebrate their craft and nurture their dreams.
The event commenced with an inspiring address from founder Daria Kalinina, who shared her vision for the awards by adding “The main goal of the project is support. A teenager may have talent, a desire to reveal it, to share what they feel with others, but they may lack the necessary resources. Teen Art Awards wants to become a megaphone for young people and give them professional tools to promote their creativity and entry into the art community”.
Empowering Teenage Talent: Beyond a Ceremony
With a heartfelt mission to uplift teenage talent, the event wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a movement, a testament to the power of art to inspire and uplift. It championed the cause of young artists, recognizing not just their talent, but their courage and dedication to their craft. But this gathering didn’t settle for merely applauding talent from the sidelines. It committed to providing a nurturing environment where creativity could flourish. For instance, the Sharjah Trip organised by the Teen Art Awards organisers and supported by Sharjah Art Foundation and Sharjah Architecture Triennial. It was a journey that wasn’t just about visiting exhibitions, but about immersing oneself in a world of artistic wonder, where every stroke of the brush and every pixel on the canvas told a story.
Celebrating Artistic Excellence and Teenage Talent: Insights from the Teen Art Awards in Dubai
Expounding on the decision to hold the International Teen Art Awards in Dubai, Daria elaborated, “The experience of holding the award in Dubai exceeded all our expectations, as Sheikh Mohammed said, soon Dubai will become the new creative capital of the world, and it is truly so, as the best specialists from all over the world come to Dubai to fulfil their dreams and we have been no exception”.
And then there was the awards ceremony—a culmination of months of hard work and dedication. But beyond the glitz and glamour, there was something more profound at play. Workshops and masterclasses led by seasoned art mentors became classrooms without walls. During this young minds absorbed knowledge like sponges and emerged with newfound inspiration.
A colorful digital show, prepared especially for the award by a group of media artists led by Konstantin Dovzhik and Anna-Valeria, as well as producer Evgeny Potapenko, presented more than 100 works from 38 countries, including pieces by laureates and prize-winners, to the audience. Yaroslav Markov, the art director of the Art.Coordinate Foundation, took responsibility for the visual direction of the project, stating, “The future we are facing today, including in art, is in many ways embedded in teenagers who have something to say to us. Despite their young age, they already know what they want, and we want to give them that voice to be heard.”
Support and Recognition: Key Contributors to Event Success
Generous support from partners such as Diplomatic Solutions and SVX Logistics, along with a partnership with SANAD Village, played a pivotal role in ensuring the event’s success. The event also featured special performances by Todes and Jiire Smith, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
The event’s media partners, including Junior Trumpet magazine and headline media partner Magzoid Magazine. They helped amplify the event’s reach and impact. Varsha Sureka, Celebrity artist shared that “At Magzoid Magazine, we take pride in supporting and nurturing artistic talent”. Through their extensive coverage, they brought attention to the remarkable achievements of young artists and the importance of nurturing creativity. Doors Level 4 restaurant further demonstrated their support. They hosting a VIP pre-press reception, setting the perfect tone for the upcoming awards ceremony. Their thoughtful gesture created a buzz of excitement and anticipation, setting a momentum that carried through the entire event. Attendees were treated to a memorable experience that left a lasting impression.
Lara Tabet shared her impressions of the event, describing it as a superbly organised affair. She lauded the exceptional talent of the artists and the warm reception from the audience, labelling it as the crème de la crème of Dubai. Entrepreneur, Marianna Bulbuc Rheuben, shares her profound insights on the event. She told “Encouraging youth to engage in artistic activities can have profound and lasting effects on their cognitive, emotional, and social growth. I salute and congratulate the team behind the Teen Awards for such an exceptional initiative”
Winners Across Various Art Categories
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards in different categories. These include: Painting, Drawing, Digital Art, Video Art and Art Storytelling categories, with all winners expressing gratitude for the platform provided by the Teen Art Awards. The winners in different categories included:
PAINTING
Winners: Ruslana Slivina (17 years), LAU-V-SHANE (17 years).
DRAWING
Winners: Margarita Astaturyan (14 years), Cathrine Nagel (17 years).
DIGITAL ART
Winners: Maria Zykovа (17 years), Anna Vladimirova (15 years).
VIDEO ART
Nomination Prize Winners: Mitrah Shahani (17 years), Maxim Znamenshchikov (15 years), Margarita Malova (16 years), Polina Mansurova (17 years).
PERFORMANCE
Nomination Prize Winners: Theater and Theatrical Technologies Studio of the School of Creative Industries (All participants were aged 16 years), Varvara Zakharova (17 years).
ART STORYTELLING
Nomination Prize Winners: Bukho Nomatye (15 years), Artem Volkov (15 years), Fairy Prokhorova (16 years), Anastasia Ivanenko (17 years), Marina Artyomenko (17 years), Polina Ostrovskaya (17 years).
The prizes, branded figurines, were bestowed upon the winners during the evening festivities. In addition, the winners will receive gift editions of books about art. This will be enriching their artistic journey with valuable insights and inspiration.
The jury panel for the competition comprises esteemed individuals from diverse artistic backgrounds. Recycle Group, winners of the 2017 Kandinsky Prize, offer words of encouragement to aspiring artists, emphasising the importance of self-improvement and exploration. Joining them are Elizaveta Shirinyan, Azza Al Qubaisi, Maisoon Al Saleh. Other important names are Ghada Kunash, each bringing their unique expertise and insights to the table. Together, they ensure a fair and insightful evaluation of the competition’s entries.
BMW showcased their support by presenting an artistically designed car, providing a glimpse into the intersection of art and automotive innovation. Esteemed guests, including Khalil Abdul Wahid Al Rahman, Anna Grigorieva and Max Goshko-Dankov, added to the event’s prestige and success.
In an exciting announcement, the International Teen Art Awards revealed that the next season will take place in Saudi Arabia. This decision further expands the reach and impact of the awards program. In the end, the event wasn’t just about handing out trophies. It was about lighting a spark, igniting a passion, and empowering a generation of artists to paint their own destinies. It was a celebration of creativity in its purest form—a reminder that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.