Punjab: Young hands create sketches in shades of green tomorrow
Punjab: The Punjab Art Initiative, a non-profit organization supported by the Yuz Foundation that promotes art through community events, launched its sixth edition at VR Ambarsar Mall on Friday. The month-long public art festival’s theme this year is “The Future is Now,” and it will focus on sustainability through art and creative expression. The festival was inaugurated by Amritsar Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and the unveiling of the “Kala Car”—a car installation that serves as the centerpiece of the art event. The opening evening featured a folk music and dance performance, followed by an exclusive tour of art installations at VR Ambarsar—including fine art galleries. The festival showcased over 200 installations, sculptures, paintings, and photographs, transforming every corner of the mall into a live art gallery. Festival curator Sumi Gupta – who has previously conceptualized and curated similar art festivals across the country – said Amritsar has the right audience and talent to appreciate art.
She said, “We are in our sixth year, and we have received an overwhelming response from artists and visitors, including the younger generation. The quality of work and talent here is amazing. This year, we have curated several immersive art workshops, sessions, and other events to connect with a wider audience.” Art installations on sustainability, biodiversity, and nature have been created by students from BBK DAV College for Women; Khalsa College of Education, Ranjit Avenue; Bhagat Puran Singh School for the Deaf; Lovely Professional University; and Khalsa College, Amritsar, among others. Gupta said that student artists were the main driving force behind the Punjab Art Initiative. “As the region’s only student-led public art festival, the Punjab Art Initiative provides a vital platform for young creators to share their work and connect with a wider audience. Amritsar has a deep artistic heritage, and this initiative helps foster this cultural connection through new perspectives and diverse artistic approaches. Over the past five editions, participation has steadily grown, bringing together regional institutions, community arts groups, local artists, and students with disabilities. As we begin our sixth edition, we expect increased participation from across the region as more young creators step forward to explore new ideas while expanding traditional methods.”
The festival features a unique gallery where, in partnership with UNESCO, it presents ‘Pockets of Hope’—a photography showcase that draws attention to marine ecosystems, their ecological value, and the increasing pressures on them. Dr. Benno Bauer, Chief of the Natural Sciences Unit, UNESCO Regional Office (South Asia), said: “Climate resilience begins with climate literacy. Strong communities are built on understanding, and understanding grows through shared stories and accessible knowledge. ‘Pockets of Hope’ is a new illustrated book project from UNESCO that brings to life the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, its terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems, and the communities that call them home.” Through its photography exhibition at the Punjab Art Initiative and illustrated tour of all the biosphere reserves in South and Central Asia, ‘Pockets of Hope’ emphasizes the need for responsible ecosystem management and conservation. By integrating science and nature into cultural spaces, public art becomes a bridge that increases participation, deepens awareness, and inspires more informed and collective climate action. Each week of the festival is set to be a dynamic experience, enhanced by a variety of activities focused on different art forms. The program includes workshops on watercolor painting, toy making, and papier-mâché art.
