This is art gallery and Pakistan’s craft outlet. Which is providing a unique piece of art work. They are also offered the platform to new talented artists. This is adjacent to the Theatre Waaly which is a dramatic theatre HUB in Islamabad. The Nomad Gallery was founded in the 1984 by Nageen Hayat and unlike other commercial galleries, its credo is deeply embedded in the promotion of culture, heritage and socio economic empowerment of under-privileged communities. It has been at the forefront in the realm of arts promoting both aspiring and established artists with numerous Group and Solo Shows which are held on a regular basis. Nomad has conducted countless workshops on a range of topics including, but not limited to Art, Photography, Film and various other subjects in an effort to promote sustainability, education and awareness.
In 2000 it started “Shanaakht” an artistic forum involved in humanitarian work, art/craft workshops, film screenings, Talks/presentations that was aimed at providing a platform to fledgling artists, musicians, poets, writers and marginalised communities. The outreach covers the international communities in Islamabad. The Gallery thus functions both as an art and cultural centre, it has worked with a large number of organisations from all provinces of Pakistan producing handicrafts to showcase the ‘Best of Pakistan’ in the field. As part of the Centre’s regular community-related and philanthropic efforts, Nomad has also implemented several events, particularly workshops for crafts-based skill training on ‘livelihoods’ for women and youth, working closely with various other communities.
Under its ‘Art & film for Social Change, Activism and Peace” Programs it has focused on Human Rights & Women’s Rights through awareness-raising and economic empowerment, training, seminars and workshops, working in a holistic manner and this is what makes Nomad a unique entity. This interest in the empowerment of community has translated into the preservation and promotion of crafts where the artisan/ craftsman has emerged as an important component of Nomad’s aims. Nomad’s Marketplace was therefore started as a community initiative which includes organics, health foods, home based workers, crafts, community workshops and to expand the scope, festivals of art, music & film are also held regularly. Traditional ceramics, jewellery, ajrak, embroidered items such as Shawls and other items of clothing have been displayed at Nomad’s arts and crafts festivals held in the past.
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