RIYADH: Visitors to Jazan Festival 2026 can enjoy a closer look at the region’s growing art scene with the transformation of the “This is Jazan” waterfront area into a cultural gallery and heritage hub.

The festival, which launched on Dec. 25 last year, runs until Feb. 15 with the theme “Jazan: Treasures of Nature.” It highlights the region’s rich cultural and natural identity while boosting its appeal as a tourist destination.

“This is Jazan” features the area’s diverse landscapes, from coasts and plains to mountains, and explores how geography has shaped local life and heritage over generations.

All 16 of the region’s governorates have dedicated pavilions and themed corners where visitors can explore traditional crafts, folk arts, live performances and displays of local products such as honey, ghee and handicrafts.

Interactive sections including craft workshops, henna art, pottery, and cultural demonstrations offer hands-on experiences that connect visitors with Jazan’s traditions and everyday life. Children in traditional attire and demonstrations of coffee roasting also enhance the ambience.

There are painting and mixed media exhibits from the region’s artists, their works inspired by nature, heritage and scenes of everyday life. The initiative supports local talent and encourages direct engagement between artists and audiences.

Visitors say the displays offer a simple, colorful way to learn more about the region, while cultural observers say bringing artists together fosters collaboration and strengthens community ties.

Among the participants is Suad Al-Asiri whose painting, “Jazan: A Nation and a Prince,” was inspired by the festival slogan. It features Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz and Prince Nasser bin Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor and deputy governor of Jazan respectively, with the region shown at the center.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Asiri said she wanted the artwork to feel close to people’s everyday lives.

“I used natural materials such as coffee beans, sesame and khudair,” she said. “They are part of Jazan’s products, and I wanted visitors to recognize them easily.”

She added the piece encouraged conversations about nature, identity and leadership. Al-Asiri, who is also a novelist and academic media professional, also presented separate portraits of the two princes. 

The festival provides artists with exposure and the chance to connect with locals and tourists outside traditional gallery spaces. It is fast emerging as a key cultural platform for nurturing creativity and discovering new talent.