The sixth edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025, running from January 15 to February 24, has launched a wide-ranging Community Engagement Program of panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and interactive activities at ROSHN Front in Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Organized under the theme “From Then to Now: Joy in the Struggle of Making,” the program brings local artists, urban planners, and cultural experts together with students, families, and creative enthusiasts, offering the public direct access to the ideas and techniques shaping contemporary sculpture in the Kingdom. The initiative forms part of Tuwaiq Sculpture’s broader effort to establish Riyadh as a global center for art and creativity.
The Community Engagement Program is designed to foster dialogue between artists and the public, turning an international sculpture event into an immersive exploration of art and its impact on urban landscapes and cultural identity. Running for more than a month, the program complements the live sculpting that defines Tuwaiq Sculpture, giving visitors opportunities not only to watch works take shape but also to understand the thinking behind them. For a city undergoing rapid cultural transformation, the program reflects a deliberate choice to place residents and visitors at the center of that change rather than at its margins.
Context and Background
How did an annual sculpture gathering become one of Riyadh’s most anticipated cultural seasons? Tuwaiq Sculpture is one of the flagship projects of Riyadh Art, one of the world’s largest public art programs, which aspires to transform the Saudi capital into an “open-air gallery” that enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike. Since its launch, the event has combined an international symposium format with a public-facing program, allowing sculptors from the Kingdom and abroad to create large-scale works in view of the community.
The 2025 edition, the sixth, continues that trajectory under the theme “From Then to Now: Joy in the Struggle of Making,” a phrase that acknowledges the effort, patience, and craft involved in sculptural practice. Held at ROSHN Front, the event benefits from a location that blends retail, leisure, and public space, making art accessible to audiences who might not otherwise visit a gallery or museum. The Community Engagement Program builds on this setting by offering talks and workshops that invite participation rather than passive viewing.
The program also reflects a wider shift in Saudi cultural policy, in which public art is treated as infrastructure for quality of life. Through Riyadh Art and related initiatives, the Kingdom is investing in cultural amenities that serve a growing, youthful population and a rising number of international visitors. Tuwaiq Sculpture sits within this framework, connecting international artistic exchange with local community development and the long-term goal of positioning Riyadh among the world’s leading cultural destinations.
Panel Discussions: Art, Placemaking, and Urban Identity
What role can a single sculpture play in the life of a city? The panel discussions at Tuwaiq Sculpture bring together local artists, urban planners, and cultural experts to explore the evolving relationship between public sculptures and urban landscapes. These conversations examine how sculptural art enhances city aesthetics, contributes to placemaking, and transforms public spaces into cultural landmarks that reflect the visual identity of Saudi cities. By convening practitioners from different fields, the sessions encourage a multidisciplinary view of how art and urban design interact.
The discussions also highlight the practical dimensions of public art, from materials and maintenance to the ways communities respond to new works in their neighborhoods. For urban planners, sculpture can serve as a focal point that gives a district a sense of identity; for artists, the public realm offers a canvas with unique constraints and possibilities. The panels create a space where these perspectives can be compared and combined, feeding into the broader ambitions of Riyadh Art to weave creativity into the everyday experience of the capital.
Visitors to the sessions gain insight into the decision-making behind major public commissions and the criteria that guide them. The exchanges are intended to enhance cultural awareness and inspire new artistic perspectives, while also giving residents a voice in conversations about the look and feel of their city. In this way, the panel program supports Tuwaiq Sculpture’s aim of expanding the horizons of sculptural art and reinforcing its role in shaping cultural identity.
Hands-On Workshops for All Ages
How can a family afternoon become an introduction to sustainable art? The Community Engagement Program offers a diverse lineup of hands-on workshops designed for students, families, and creative enthusiasts. Among them is the Paper-Mache Workshop, a family-friendly session that introduces sustainable art practices, where participants learn about recycling materials to create sculptural pieces. The workshop connects artistic technique with environmental responsibility, showing how everyday materials can be reimagined as expressive forms.
A second offering, the Natural Dyeing Workshop, provides an interactive experience teaching traditional techniques to extract pigments from plants and minerals for coloring sculptures. Participants learn how color has historically been derived from natural sources and how those methods can be applied in contemporary practice. By grounding the sessions in traditional knowledge, the workshop links Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage with modern artistic experimentation, a combination that resonates with the event’s theme of moving “from then to now.”
By offering accessible, educational, and interactive experiences, these workshops encourage artistic exploration and cultural appreciation across all ages. They also serve as a dynamic platform for idea exchange, creative expression, and skill development. For young participants in particular, the chance to work with their hands alongside professional artists can plant the seeds of a lifelong interest in art and design, supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to nurture creative talent and build a thriving cultural economy.
International and Regional Impact
What does it mean for a city to be an open-air gallery? Tuwaiq Sculpture’s Community Engagement Program contributes to Riyadh’s growing reputation as a destination for art and culture, attracting attention from regional and international audiences. As one of the flagship projects of Riyadh Art, the event helps position the Saudi capital alongside other global cities that use public art to define their identity and draw visitors. The presence of international sculptors and the exchange of techniques and ideas further strengthen Riyadh’s connections with the global art community.
Within the region, the program offers a model for how cultural events can combine high-level artistic production with broad public participation. By making workshops and discussions open to families, students, and enthusiasts, Tuwaiq Sculpture demonstrates that cultural development can be inclusive as well as ambitious. This approach supports Saudi Arabia’s wider efforts to foster cultural diplomacy and to present the Kingdom as a center of creativity and dialogue, complementing its economic and diplomatic engagement around the world.
Economic and Strategic Significance
Why does public art matter to a diversifying economy? Cultural initiatives such as Tuwaiq Sculpture form part of a broader strategy to expand Saudi Arabia’s creative industries and increase their contribution to the national economy. By supporting artists, attracting visitors, and generating activity around venues such as ROSHN Front, the program helps stimulate sectors including tourism, hospitality, and retail. These effects align with the Kingdom’s efforts to build a diversified, knowledge-based economy in which culture plays a meaningful role.
The strategic value also lies in human capital. Workshops that teach sustainable practices, traditional dyeing techniques, and sculptural methods help develop skills and encourage innovation among participants. As Riyadh continues to grow, the demand for creative professionals in design, urban planning, and cultural programming will increase, and initiatives like this help build a pipeline of talent. In this sense, Tuwaiq Sculpture is not only an exhibition but an investment in the people who will shape the Kingdom’s cultural future.
Vision 2030 Alignment
How does a sculpture symposium connect to a national transformation plan? Tuwaiq Sculpture’s Community Engagement Program aligns directly with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance quality of life, promote cultural expression, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for art and culture. Through Riyadh Art, the Kingdom is transforming public spaces into open-air galleries that enrich the daily lives of residents and visitors, while creating new opportunities for artists and cultural entrepreneurs.
The program’s emphasis on education, community participation, and international exchange reinforces the vision’s goals of building a vibrant society and a diversified economy. By inviting the public to engage with sculpture through discussions and workshops, Tuwaiq Sculpture helps cultivate cultural appreciation and creative skills that will support the Kingdom’s long-term development. As the sixth edition continues through February 24 at ROSHN Front, it stands as a clear example of how Vision 2030 is being translated into tangible cultural experiences for all.
20 Questions
Q1. What is Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025?
A1. Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025 is the sixth edition of a major public art event in Riyadh, running from January 15 to February 24. It is one of the flagship projects of Riyadh Art, one of the world’s largest public art programs.
Q2. Where is the Community Engagement Program being held?
A2. The program is being held at ROSHN Front in Riyadh, a destination that combines retail, leisure, and public space. This setting makes the event accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Q3. What is the theme of this year’s event?
A3. The theme is “From Then to Now: Joy in the Struggle of Making.” It acknowledges the effort, patience, and craft involved in sculptural practice while celebrating the creative journey.
Q4. What is the purpose of the panel discussions?
A4. The panel discussions bring together local artists, urban planners, and cultural experts to explore how public sculptures enhance city aesthetics, contribute to placemaking, and transform public spaces into cultural landmarks reflecting Saudi cities’ visual identity.
Q5. Who participates in the panel discussions?
A5. Local artists, urban planners, and cultural experts take part, offering multidisciplinary perspectives on the relationship between sculpture and urban landscapes. Their exchanges aim to inspire new artistic perspectives and enhance cultural awareness.
Q6. What is the Paper-Mache Workshop?
A6. It is a family-friendly session introducing sustainable art practices. Participants learn about recycling materials to create sculptural pieces, connecting artistic technique with environmental responsibility in an accessible, hands-on format.
Q7. What does the Natural Dyeing Workshop teach?
A7. It teaches traditional techniques for extracting pigments from plants and minerals to color sculptures. The workshop links Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage with contemporary artistic experimentation, reflecting the event’s “from then to now” theme.
Q8. Who can join the workshops?
A8. The workshops are designed for students, families, and creative enthusiasts of all ages. By offering accessible and interactive experiences, they encourage artistic exploration and cultural appreciation across the community.
Q9. How does Tuwaiq Sculpture relate to Riyadh Art?
A9. Tuwaiq Sculpture is one of the flagship projects of Riyadh Art, a major public art program. Riyadh Art aspires to transform the Saudi capital into an open-air gallery that enriches the lives of residents and visitors.
Q10. What is the vision behind Riyadh Art?
A10. Riyadh Art seeks to transform Riyadh into an open-air gallery, fostering creativity and enriching daily life. It is one of the world’s largest public art programs and supports the Kingdom’s cultural ambitions.
Q11. How does the program support cultural identity?
A11. By engaging the public in discussions and workshops, the program reinforces the role of sculptural art in shaping cultural identity. It highlights how public art reflects the visual identity of Saudi cities and strengthens community ties.
Q12. What impact does public sculpture have on cities?
A12. Public sculpture enhances city aesthetics, contributes to placemaking, and transforms public spaces into cultural landmarks. It can give districts a distinct identity and create focal points that bring communities together.
Q13. How does the event align with Saudi Vision 2030?
A13. It aligns with Vision 2030 by enhancing quality of life, promoting cultural expression, and positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for art and culture. It also supports a vibrant society and a diversified economy.
Q14. What economic benefits can such cultural events bring?
A14. Cultural events can stimulate tourism, hospitality, and retail activity around venues, while supporting creative industries. They also help develop skills and talent that contribute to a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
Q15. How long does Tuwaiq Sculpture 2025 run?
A15. The sixth edition runs from January 15 to February 24, 2025. The Community Engagement Program operates alongside the main sculpting activities throughout this period at ROSHN Front in Riyadh.
Q16. What makes the workshops educational?
A16. The workshops combine hands-on practice with instruction in sustainable methods and traditional techniques. Participants learn by doing, gaining skills in material reuse, natural pigment extraction, and sculptural creation under guidance.
Q17. How does the program engage families?
A17. It offers family-friendly sessions such as the Paper-Mache Workshop, designed for participants of all ages. These activities encourage shared creative experiences and make art accessible to households across Riyadh.
Q18. What is the significance of the theme “From Then to Now”?
A18. The theme reflects the journey of sculptural practice from traditional methods to contemporary approaches. It celebrates the joy found in the struggle of making and connects heritage techniques with modern artistic expression.
Q19. How does Tuwaiq Sculpture promote international exchange?
A19. By bringing together artists and experts from different backgrounds, the event fosters dialogue and the exchange of techniques and ideas. This strengthens Riyadh’s connections with the global art community.
Q20. What is the long-term goal of these initiatives?
A20. The long-term goal is to establish Riyadh as a global center for art and creativity, enrich quality of life, and support Vision 2030’s cultural and economic objectives through sustained public engagement with the arts.
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