RIYADH: The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts launched a new community initiative on Saturday with a packed day of workshops and discussions with inspiring figures in the handicrafts field.

As 2025 kicks off with the Ministry of Culture labeling it the 鈥淵ear of Handicrafts,鈥� Wrth aims to bring a sense of camaraderie to artisans and aspiring crafters with its 鈥淲rth Community,鈥� which will host several events through the year.  

Nermeen Al-Naimi, an artisan at Wrth, told Arab News: 鈥淭oday, the community of Wrth started, so that鈥檚 very good for artisans because we are looking for somewhere we can belong.

鈥淲rth is the place we belong now with this community, it鈥檚 more like a second house for us because we exchange experiences, we exchange techniques and tools and stuff like that. It鈥檚 a growing kind of family, so we鈥檙e happy that they made this step today, and we鈥檙e grateful.鈥�

The six-hour event brought artisans at various levels and from various crafts together for a day of engagement through workshops on traditional crafting with wood, metals, clay, and stones.

Silversmiths Ayat Dhahi and Revan Abdulsabour shared their expertise on sculpting and formation, from design to implementation, while others, such as sculptor Helwa Al-Atawi, shared success stories of turning a passion into a career.

Jewelry designer Rughad Al-Hogail weighed in with her entrepreneurial experience of taking local crafts to international markets.

Al-Naimi is an instructor for jewelry manufacture and design, but came to the inaugural Wrth event as a student, signing up for a wood-carving workshop that allows participants to identify the types of traditional engravings in the Najd region, and producing a wooden coaster using the technique with a copper inlay.

鈥淚 decided to go back to wood because I did clay before, and I did metals before, so I wanted to incorporate wood in my designs 鈥�

鈥淚t has metal in it, so, the experience was amazing because I use metal combined with wood, combined with a little bit of this technique.鈥�

Other workshops explored traditional engraving methods, their use in the manufacture of innovative products, and employing traditional engravings in contemporary art.

Al-Naimi works as a personal branding consultant, and part of her job is to help individuals realize their hopes and connect with ways to energize themselves.

鈥淥ne of the things that makes me happy is working with my hands. So working with metal, with wood, it鈥檚 all a stress relief. Plus you make something beautiful.鈥�

Al-Naimi joined Wrth about two years ago, working with metals, but quickly found that it was more than just a space to create.

鈥淗ere at the Royal Institute, it鈥檚 support all the way 鈥� for the trainers, for the products; they have an online store now,鈥� she said. Here students鈥� creations are up for sale at the physical location and online, creating profitable opportunities for aspiring and established artisans.

Wrth Community aims to lead the revival and development handicrafts, linking them to modern design and technology, enhancing the participation of institutions and the local community to highlight the importance of traditional arts in defining cultural identity, while also equipping people with ways to create traditional arts in today鈥檚 market.

Wrth Community provides opportunities for artisans to meet, exchange knowledge and enhance personal and professional skills with a focus on education, crafts, entrepreneurship, and dialogue sessions. By creating a supportive environment, Wrth hopes to stimulate talent and creative individuals to learn and practice traditional arts and crafts.

Wrth is a pioneering organization that highlights the national identity and enriches Saudi traditional arts locally and globally, promoting them and recognizing pioneers in the fields of traditional arts. This contributes to the preservation of traditional arts by supporting national capabilities and talents while encouraging those interested in learning, mastering and developing them.