Canceled | Drink and Draw: Shabana Kauser

This event has been canceled.

Join us for an evening of drawing the world around you with a twist, led by guest instructor and artist Shabana Kauser. We’ll learn, drink, unwind, and create an evening of relaxed, creative fun inspired by our exhibition Fashioning America: Grit to Glamour. No experience? No problem! Whether you’re a doodler or Da Vinci, all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to attend.

All drawing materials will be provided, though we encourage you to bring your own sketchbook if you have one. One drink is included with registration.

Tickets are $10 ($5 for members), reserve your spot online or with Guest Services at (479) 657-2335 today.

Shabana Kauser

Shabana Kauser creates contemporary realistic oil paintings that are influenced by her shared experiences as the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, and as an immigrant to the United States. Her paintings of South Asian women wearing traditional fabrics and jewelry explore memories of cultural, social, and economic transition. The traditional dupatta (scarf) is interwoven throughout many of her works.

Shabana’s parents left Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the 1970s and emigrated to England. With the longstanding history between England and Pakistan, they took the opportunity to set up a new life. Dealing with complications of the immigration system in the 1970s, they made a tough decision to follow their journey with the hope of change. Shabana is one of five children they raised in the suburbs of London. Her father first worked in the steel industry and later at a bakery. Shabana’s mother started a sewing business from home. Her mother used the skills she learned in her family home in Pakistan and applied that to create a business all while raising a family. Yards of traditional South Asian fabric would be dropped off to the home, and Shabana’s mother would create traditional shalwaar Kameez (tunic top, pant, and dupatta) for the South Asian Community. Today, you can see this in Shabana’s work, inspired by the many women, including her mother, and girls she created outfits for.

Shabana was born and lived in the UK for almost 30 years. She lived in Central London, where she achieved her degrees, a BSc in Business IT and a MSc in Information Management. She worked in the corporate world before her husband was presented with a work opportunity in the US. In 2008, Shabana moved from London to the US, and settled in Fayetteville Arkansas. Through the frustrating immigration laws, and while being unable to legally work for seven years, she discovered her love for creating. This journey opened up a new way to connect with people and share her story.

In 2017 she formally introduced her work and enjoyed her very first Exhibit. Shabana has now enjoyed successful Gallery and Museum exhibits throughout the US. Shabana attended the University of Arts London, St. Martin’s College in the UK, and also completed the Artist Inc program that is organized by the Mid-American Arts Alliance. In 2022 she became a US Citizen and she was appointed as a board member the Walton Arts Center. She has been featured in a number of publications and press releases, visit her website for more details, www.shabanakauserart.com