PUAN Grant Creates a Platform for Young Artists in Gwadar - Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network

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Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) 2021 alumna Parveen Noor is translating her U.S. exchange experience into new opportunities for young artists in Gwadar. Through the PUAN Connect Project “Creative Gwadar: Youth Art Innovation Workshop & Community Exhibition,” Parveen brought young artists and U.S. exchange alumni together for a hands-on experience focused on artistic skills, creative expression, and community engagement.

The project provided approximately 20 students and emerging artists with opportunities to explore painting, sketching, collaborative artwork, and other forms of creative expression. PUAN Gwadar alumni also supported the planning and implementation of the activity.

The workshop was designed around a practical idea: talented young people in Gwadar need opportunities not only to develop their creative skills, but also to show their work to others.

Following the workshop, participants displayed their artwork through a community exhibition attended by local community members, educators, and other stakeholders. The exhibition gave the young artists an opportunity to move from learning and creating to publicly presenting their work.

For participant Mahikan, 15, the experience offered a new way to communicate her ideas.

“The workshop gave me an opportunity to express my ideas through art and learn from other young artists. I had never had an opportunity like this before, and displaying my artwork in front of the community made me more confident.”

Another participant, Muzaffar Faisal, 21, highlighted the opportunity to learn alongside other emerging artists.

“I really enjoyed being part of the workshop because I was able to meet other creative young people and learn new techniques. Seeing our artwork displayed at the exhibition made me feel proud and encouraged me to continue developing my artistic skills.”

The project also connected creativity with the Freedom 250 theme through freedom of expression, innovation, and opportunities for young people to turn ideas into visible creative work.

Parveen studied at the University of Northern Iowa in the United States through the Global UGRAD program. Since returning to Pakistan, she has continued working across community initiatives in Turbat and Gwadar and founded the Noor Faisal Foundation, through which she is developing locally focused projects in education, health, creativity, and community development.

Her PUAN Connect Project reflects how U.S. exchange alumni can take skills, networks, and leadership experience gained through their programs and apply them through practical initiatives in their own communities.

Through Creative Gwadar, young artists did more than participate in a workshop. They created original work, learned alongside their peers, and gained a platform to present their creativity to the wider community.

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