MUSCAT — The artist community in Oman has enthusiastically responded to Qaboos Oman national painting competition in honour of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. A good number of professional and aspiring artists have registered for the competition at the Omani Society for Fine Arts (OSFA) branches in Muscat and Salalah. Coinciding with the 39th National Day celebrations, the first-of-its-kind competition hosted by the Omani Society for Fine Arts and BankMuscat is aimed at creating the best portrait painting of His Majesty the Sultan. Registration closes on November 8.

Naila Al Maamari, in-charge of registration at the Omani Society for Fine Arts, said the competition had evoked good response from established artists as well as upcoming artists. The good turnout will lead to outstanding results, she added.

The competition begins on November 10 and is open to all artists, including expatriates, who will be given seven days till November 17 to complete their work at the society premises in Muscat or Salalah.

Well-known artist Budoor Al Riyami said the competition had become the talking point among the art circles. “This is a great opportunity for artists to prove their talent as portrait painting is a specialisation that requires the highest level of creative input.”

Leading portrait painter Saud Al Hunaini said the competition was a great initiative to mark the 39th National Day. “I am looking forward to the competition and I hope to give my best effort to produce a realistic painting of His Majesty the Sultan.”

Each participant will be allowed to submit only one entry, which must be based on a published photograph of His Majesty the Sultan.

Artists must recreate the reference photograph and the portrait must resemble the photograph in every detail.

Six short-listed entries will be judged by an expert panel constituted by the Omani Society for Fine Arts alongside an SMS voting campaign for the top prizes. The short-listed entries will be displayed on popular websites to facilitate the SMS voting process. The public opinion on paintings is expected to generate tough competition and nationwide excitement.