By: Nanju Francisco
Photos by: Von Francisco
Manama: The vibrant landscapes of Manama became the canvas for a dynamic cultural collaboration after Urban Sketchers (USk) Bahrain invited the Filipino Artists in Bahrain (FAB) to join them for a special on-location sketching event. The invitation brought FAB’s celebrated visual artists into USk’s global movement of live observation, resulting in a unique partnership that bridged studio fine art with community-driven street sketching.
The free, collaborative session took place on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Jasmi’s Coffee, Oasis Mall Juffair. Bringing together artists ranging from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned professionals, the meetup focused on documenting the unique daily life, architecture, and energy of the local neighborhood.
The event marked a significant milestone in strengthening Bahrain’s local creative ecosystem, bridging FAB’s renowned passion for visual arts, fine art, and design with USk’s global movement of storytelling through on-location drawing.
Participants spent the morning capturing the contemporary structure of the Oasis Mall surroundings, with many artists turning their focus toward the stunning architectural heritage of the nearby Al Fateh Grand Mosque.
The active participation of the Filipino Artists in Bahrain, led by its President Lhanz Cabaraca, added an inspiring layer of diversity and technical skill to the gathering. Known for their rich cultural heritage and profound dedication to the Kingdom’s art scene, FAB members brought their unique artistic perspectives directly onto the pages of their sketchbooks.
This joint initiative offers several long-term benefits for the participating communities, including:
- Expanded Creative Mediums: FAB members had the opportunity to step out of traditional studio environments and immerse themselves in a highly social, observation-based outlet.
- Cross-Cultural Networking: The event successfully connected a diverse network of local, international, and Filipino sketchers.
- Future Collaborative Showcases: This meetup serves as the foundation for future co-hosted sketching sessions, community meetups, and cross-promotions designed to elevate both organizations’ exhibitions and initiatives.
“There is a natural and beautiful synergy between our groups,” noted Sadeq Shehab, Co-Founder of USk Bahrain, emphasizing the mutual desire to continue uniting these two creative worlds to document the beauty and culture of Bahrain’s streets.
Following the success of this event, both organizations look forward to a bright future of joint artistic endeavors. Art enthusiasts and community members interested in future sketchwalks or viewing the artwork generated from this meetup can follow the official Instagram page @uskbahrain.
