LAHORE: A large number of art lovers Wednesday visited the Lahore Arts Council to view the 13the annual exhibition of paintings, sculpture, ceramics and graphic arts by young artists. Lahore Arts Council Executive Director Captain (r) Atta Muhammad Khan participated as the chief guest. The exhibition has brought artwork of young artists from across the country under one roof. Minister for Information and Culture Department Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman was also expected to visit the venue but he could not make it to the exhibition. Arts and Culture Director Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi, renowned artist Quddus Mirza and a large number of art lovers, students and young artists’ family members were also present on occasion. More than 600 artworks of 420 young artists have been put on display at the exhibition. While 10 best artworks of ten participants out of 420 were selected for ‘Best Works of the Show’ by four members jury, including former Punjab University College of Art and Design University principal Prof Hassan Shahnawaz Zaidi, National College of Arts Associate Professor Quddus Mirza, Shakir Ali Museum Director Amna Pataudi and Assistant Professor Maliha Azmi Aga from the Punjab University. It’s pertinent to mention here that only one male artist, Awais Naqvi, succeeded to make place in first ten positions. Meanwhile, Arshia Sohail, Maha Rehan, Neha Ashraf Syed, Noorul Huda, Sana Saeed, Syeda Seerat Zainab, Sidra Liaqat, Sehrish Rafique and Wardah Naeem Bukhari managed to make it to top ten. Captain (r) Atta Muhammad Khan along with jury members visited different sections of the gallery to review the artworks of young artists. He said, “Our purpose is to introduce young artists in Pakistan by providing a platform to them for executing their talent through their artworks.” He said that art from Pakistan has made a niche for itself at the international level with quality and creativity being the hallmark. “The practice of art needs encouragement and support,” he said, and announced to increase the number of best artworks of the show from 10 to 15 in next year. Earlier, a prize distribution ceremony was held where prizes and certificates were distributed among winners.