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RIYADH: Art can be a great way to balance entertainment, culture, and spirituality during the holy month of Ramadan — and there’s no lack of exciting and exceptional exhibitions currently on display to explore across Saudi Arabia.

Here are some noteworthy events to visit in the Kingdom’s major cities for those looking to take a beat and contemplate this month, whether through Islamic art, cultural heritage, or contemporary works.

Islamic Arts Biennale, Jeddah

Set in the Western Hajj Terminal of the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the Islamic Arts Biennale gathers contributions from over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia and beyond, blending timeless Islamic civilization treasures and contemporary artistic creations.

Curated by renowned Saudi artist Muhannad Shono, and supported by curators Joanna Chevalier and Amina Diab, it takes visitors on a journey through the artistic heritage of Islam.

New pieces are displayed alongside historical artifacts, including religious relics, maps, and jewelry, in five indoor halls and various outdoor spaces beneath the Hajj Terminal canopy.

The Islamic Arts Biennale, which runs until May 25, is organized into seven sections across various galleries and outdoor areas: Al-Bidaya (the beginning), Al-Madar (the orbit), Al-Muqtani (homage), Al-Mathala (the canopy), Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and Al-Musalla (the prayer hall).

‘Art of the Kingdom’ exhibition at Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax, Riyadh

Nestled in the capital’s Jax art district, the Saudi traveling contemporary art exhibition brings together works by 17 prominent Saudi contemporary artists from different generations, regions, and artistic practices that demonstrate the country’s burgeoning art scene.

From paintings to installations and video works, “Art of the Kingdom: Poetic Illuminations” showcases the diversity and ambition of contemporary Saudi artists under two themes: the desert and cultural traditions.

“The imagination of the future is found in these artists,” curator Diana Wechsler said. “This is one of the most fascinating aspects offered to me by the exploration of the Saudi artistic and cultural (scene).” 

The show is now in Riyadh until May 24 after its inauguration in Rio de Janeiro last year. It will then be presented later this year at the Shanghai National Museum in China, marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Saudi-Chinese diplomatic relations.

‘Adaptability’ exhibition at SAMoCA@Jax, Riyadh

While at SAMoCA, visitors have a chance to check out the “Adaptability” exhibition, which invites attendees on a journey of discovery and reflection on the enduring relationship between humans and clay through works by 11 artists from five Arab countries.

Curated by Samer Yamani, the exhibition brings a unique perspective to the exploration of human and material evolution.

“Adaptability” tells the timeless story of clay, its birth and its transformation at the hands of the earliest humans, who shaped their world with it, using clay as a vital tool in their journey through life.

“This exhibition beautifully illustrates the adaptability of clay, showcasing human creativity and our capacity for enduring change across cultures and civilizations,” noted curator Yamani.

‘Echoes of Land’ exhibition at Al-Nafal Park, Riyadh

In partnership with the Italian Embassy in Riyadh, Riyadh Art has unveiled a collection of contemporary sculptures by Italian artist Davide Rivalta located in the Diplomatic Quarters. Under the theme “Echoes of the Land,” the installations feature various sculptures of wild animals, like the cheetah, lion, lioness, and buffalo.

Omar Al-Braik, senior director of public art at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, said in a statement: “Art has the power to transform public spaces, spark conversations, and connect people with their surroundings in ways that are both profound and unexpected.

“By bringing Rivalta’s work to Riyadh, we continue to expand the city’s artistic landscape, ensuring that diverse voices and creative perspectives are accessible to all.”

Ramadan Nights at Hayy Jameel, Jeddah

From March 2-29, Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel is offering a diverse monthlong cultural program, featuring interactive workshops, open sessions and film screenings on heritage, living traditions and craft; board games and storytelling activities; and Hayy Markets with locally made artisanal goods and products.

‘White Lilies of Marrakesh’ solo exhibition at Hafez Gallery, Riyadh

“The White Lilies of Marrakech: Women as Timeless Narratives” is a solo exhibition by Lebanese artist Lana Khayat, offering an artistic exploration of femininity, cultural memory, and linguistic heritage.

With each layer of the exhibition, audiences are invited into a space where art becomes a bridge between past and present, structure and fluidity, silence and voice.

The works are on display at Hafez Gallery, located in the H19 Warehouse in Riyadh’s Jax District, until March 26.

‘Authenticity and Modernity’ group exhibition at Hafez Gallery, Jeddah

The “Authenticity and Modernity” exhibition, held alongside the second edition of the Islamic Biennale in Jeddah, delves into the dynamic relationship between tradition and contemporary expression.

Each artist offers a distinct perspective on how heritage and innovation intersect, providing valuable insights into the shifting landscape of Saudi art and culture.

Participating artists include Hmoud Al-Attawi, Mahdi Al-Jeraibi, Misht Studio (Zainab Al-Mashat and Basmaa Al-Mashat), Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, Reem Anasser, and Suliman Elsalem.

The works are on display at the Hafez Gallery in Jeddah until March 25.

RIYADH: The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has welcomed 40 women and 26 men to its fifth ranger corps.

They were recruited from local communities following their successful graduation from the reserve’s nine-week training program, and will join the existing ranger team of 180 to help in conservation work.

Andrew Zaloumis, the CEO at the reserve, said the rangers were pivotal in helping achieve the body’s mission.

He said: “These local people, from across the reserve, know its land, its flora and fauna and its communities. They are the natural guardians of the Kingdom’s rich natural and cultural heritage.”

The reserve received 18,000 applications and candidates underwent written and physical tests and multiple interviews to win a coveted place on the ranger training program.

Run by Ali Al-Balawi, the nine-week program provides the skills required to join the ranger corps.

Modules include conservation management, data collection, patrolling, cultural heritage management, tracking, fitness, self-defense, first aid and 4x4 driving.

Al-Balawi said: “I take great pride in training rangers from the local community at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Reserve.

“When the protector comes from the same place, there is a profound sense of responsibility towards the nature they know and cherish, making them more capable of protecting and conserving it.

“These rangers are not just trained to perform specific tasks — they are true ambassadors of nature, and I am honored to be part of fostering this spirit that connects people to their land and their role in conserving it for future generations.”

The 66 new recruits will join the 180-strong ranger force, working alongside the Special Forces for Environmental Security and the Border Guard to safeguard the natural and cultural assets of the reserve — both on land and at sea.

Their duties will include ecological monitoring to inform conservation strategies; supporting animal reintroductions; managing wildlife populations; and overseeing development projects to ensure compliance with environmental and social impact assessments.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is home to the Middle East’s first female ranger corps. Of the 246 rangers, 34 percent are women.

The objectives of the royal reserves are to support the Kingdom’s efforts in sustainability and environmental conservation, contributing to the Saudi Green Initiative’s goal of protecting 30 percent of the Kingdom’s terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

One of eight royal reserves, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrats to the Red Sea in the west, connecting NEOM, Red Sea Global, and AlUla. It is home to PIF’s Wadi Al-Disah project and Red Sea Global’s destination AMAALA.

The reserve includes 15 distinct ecosystems. At just 1 percent of the Kingdom’s terrestrial area and 1.8 percent of its marine area, it boasts over 50 percent of the Kingdom’s species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.

The reserve is committed to restoring and conserving the natural and cultural environment, including the reintroduction of 23 native species — including the Arabian leopard, cheetah, Arabian oryx and lappet-faced vulture — as part of a wide-ranging rewilding program.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve was established by royal decree and is overseen by the Royal Reserves Council, which is chaired by the crown prince.

Its program is integrated with Saudi Arabia’s wider sustainability and conservation schemes, including the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives.