Professional Art Merit Award — DIAC Members Art Exhibition 2015

Wafa El Hilali
Nov 16, 2015
2 min read

Updated: Jan 25

Hello Art Lovers,

The DIAC 60th Members Art Exhibition 2015 Invitation

I am honored to share a meaningful moment from my artistic journey. During the 60th Members Art Exhibition 2015, held at Gallery 76 within the Dubai International Art Centre (DIAC), I had the privilege of receiving a Professional Art Merit Award — a recognition that celebrates artistic dedication, creative excellence, and contribution to the cultural landscape.

The award was granted for my artwork entitled “Écailles”, a piece that holds a very special place in my artistic universe. Through Écailles, I explored themes of texture, transformation, and layered emotion — reflecting how art can express what words often cannot, while translating inner movement into a visual language.

What Does an Award Mean for an Artist?

Receiving an award as an artist is more than a symbolic gesture — it is a moment of recognition that validates a long and often invisible process.

Behind every finished artwork lies a journey that includes:

years of practice and refinement,
creative risk and personal vulnerability,
discipline, doubt, and perseverance,
and the continuous desire to evolve.

An award acknowledges not only the final result, but the dedication and commitment that live behind the scenes. It reflects that the artist’s voice has been heard, their work has created impact, and their contribution carries meaning within a larger artistic community.

The Significance of the Professional Art Merit Award

A Professional Art Merit Award is often seen as a marker of artistic quality and professionalism. It highlights the artist’s ability to bring together:

technique and mastery,
originality and personal expression,
coherence of artistic vision,
and the capacity to inspire, move, or engage an audience.

For an artist, such an award can represent encouragement to continue, to expand, and to trust the path — especially in a world where creativity often asks us to believe in ourselves long before others do.

It can also open doors: strengthening visibility, credibility, and future opportunities, while reinforcing the artist’s role within a growing cultural ecosystem.

An Unforgettable Moment of Recognition

Professional Art Merit Award at the DIAC

I was deeply honored to receive my award from Abdul Qader Al Rais, one of the most established Emirati artists in the UAE, alongside Khalid Abdulwahid Hassan, member of the Advisor Office at the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Being recognized in the presence of such respected cultural figures made the moment even more meaningful and unforgettable.

This award reminded me of the importance of artistic spaces like DIAC, which continue to support and elevate creativity by creating platforms where artists can be seen, celebrated, and encouraged.

Gratitude & Continuity

I am grateful for this recognition, and for the journey it represents. Moments like these become anchors — reminders that art matters, that expression has value, and that creating from the heart can truly ripple outward.