Since its launch in June 2020, Artists of Beirut has grown into a socially responsible platform dedicated to curating, promoting, and developing the talent of Lebanese women artists and artisans. Founded by Carole Ayoub and Yara Jahchan, the initiative was born out of a belief that creativity can be both a personal expression and a collective force for rebuilding communities.
Over the past five years, the platform has become a cornerstone of the city’s cultural revival. What began as a simple promotional campaign has evolved into a dynamic program of over 20 exhibitions and artistic events, providing visibility to more than 74 Lebanese women artists. The diversity of their work is striking: from the dreamlike photography of Anna Bondavalli Ward, who captures light and shadow with poetic precision, to the abstract canvases of Nicole Mezher, layered with balance and form to create almost sculptural depth.
‘The Light Within’, Anna Bondavalli Ward, 2025
Artists of Beirut also embraces voices that come to art from unconventional paths. Zeina Chehab, for instance, began her career in biology and education before turning to painting. Her works transform the landscapes of memory and nature into textured, emotional reflections. Similarly, Lama Mansour confronts the human condition through fragmented portraits, drawing inspiration from Egon Schiele and Francis Bacon to explore vulnerability, turmoil and resilience. The platform also welcomes international perspectives, such as Dutch sculptor Karin Timmermans, whose bronze figures and architectural masks bring a global dimension to the collective while staying rooted in Lebanon’s spirit of renewal.
Tyre Public Beach, Zeina Chehab, 2024
At the heart of this initiative is not only artistic promotion but also a commitment to giving back. A share of proceeds from every exhibition supports NGOs working on Beirut’s restoration, keeping the city’s beauty and heritage alive for future generations.
Over the Rainbow
The platform’s latest exhibition, “Over the Rainbow,” runs from October 3 to 10, 2025, at Bossa Nova Hotel, Sin El Fil. Inspired by the symbolic transition from uncertainty to renewal, the show brings together the work of 16 women artists across six seasons of Artists of Beirut. With more than 50 pieces spanning painting, sculpture, collage, photography, ceramics and mixed media, the exhibition offers a vibrant testament to hope and transformation. Visitors can also join interactive workshops in painting and collage, engaging directly with the creative spirit at the heart of the show.
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Through initiatives like these, Artists of Beirut continues to prove that art in Lebanon is more than a cultural pastime it is a tool for empowerment, resilience and healing.
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