Left Bank restaurant to partner with Gailani Art Retreat
MUSCAT: Left Bank Restaurant and Lounge Oman, and Gailani Art Retreat have formed a strategic partnership that will see the restaurant venue as the new home for the bi-monthly art retreats run by Muscat-based artist Ibrahim Gailani.
This partnership goes into effect with the commencement of the new 2015-2016 season of the Gailani Art Retreat, with the first one being held on Saturday at the Left Bank Restaurant.
Gailani, who has held 30 art retreats and attracted over 500 participants in Muscat, felt that this new venue aesthetically added another ingredient to the art retreats.
“Set on top of a hill overlooking the beach of Shatti Qurum, the Qurum National Park on one side and the Royal Opera House on the other, the venue itself becomes an added quotient to the creativity of our participants. It is a unique location, away from the hustlebustle of the city, and follows the essence of a retreat, seclusion, and a get-away to disconnect,” stated Gailani.
“The added benefit
of
this unique location will allow our participants to enjoy both indoor and outdoor settings as that has been a much requested option by most of our attendees. We are confident that the outdoor patio and gardens will add flavour to the creative juices of our participants,” elaborated Huma Gailani, manager of the Gailani Art Retreat.
Left Bank Restaurant and Lounge will close down its operations to the public and will be exclusively booked for the art retreat participants on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Participants will also enjoy the award winning hospitality of Left Bank and their delicious cuisine.
Culinary delights
“We aim for this to become a unique experience that merges culinary delights, with an elegant ambience, soulful music and expressive art – a complete package for a successful art retreat,” said Luke Mulcahy, manager of Left Bank Oman.
In addition, this new partnership aims to give a platform to emerging and established artists who come to the art retreat. As part of this deal the art created at the retreats will be exhibited for sale at Left Bank in an ongoing exhibition curated by Gailani.
“We have been looking for cultural opportunities to add to the experience of our patrons and make Left Bank not only a leisure destination but also an artistic one. We are thrilled to convert some key parts of our space into an “Art Lounge” showcasing the artists’ works of talents and self- expression,” elaborated Mulcahy.
This move has been a strategic one for Left Bank who wanted to align with an art movement that the retreats have embarked upon. The Left Bank team had initially met Gailani a year back to work on certain art activities, and when the opportunity of partnering with the art retreats presented itself it seemed like the perfect fit.
“At Left Bank we pride ourselves on supporting the talents of the aspiring artists from our beautiful cities. We want to create an environment that encourages and promotes self-expression and believe we have all the elements to achieve our vision in pushing our venue towards being the hub for art, culture and inspiration,” stated the Left Bank team. The Gailani Art Retreat is a fullday “artistic escape” retreat that is held once a month and brings together creative souls to paint to global music rhythms. Participants meditate, connect with their inner consciousness, and paint their feelings on canvas, and then share with the entire group. One does not need to be a trained art- ist for these retreats, just willing to let creativity flow. Photographers, musicians, and writers, in addition to doctors and lawyers, also attend to let the blockages of their world be released through art.
It is a full-day retreat where a topic of the day is discussed and explored, with initial meditation, followed by a painting to world music, and then a group discussion.
Gailani, attended one art retreat himself and it really transformed both his art and his outlook, and hence decided to start his own retreats. Each retreat has a specific topic, and a customised music designed and arranged specially. These retreats are always held on a weekend and are of an eight hour duration, with five hours of painting, two hours of discussions, and an hour for meal breaks.
Gailani, who conducts these retreats, is a self-taught contemporary artist. Gailani lives in Muscat where he operates his art studio. He also manages and markets art-related events and is a guest lecturer and teacher conducting art workshops for art colleges and students at different schools in Muscat.