At this given point of time, there are discussions around technology, entrepreneurship, and as always politics, but art has been playing a quieter but transformative role in shaping the mind set of youngsters. And this compelling reminder was offered by the recently concluded All India Young Artist Exhibition 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Emerging artists from diverse backgrounds came together and a stage was set for open dialogue.
In the three-day long exhibition organized by Surendra Pal Joshi Kala Smriti Trust at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur, artists, students, educators, collectors, and art lovers from across India came together to celebrate art. It wasn’t just a platform to showcase work, but a place where young creators came together to share their perspectives, engage in peer learning activities.
Building India’s Next Generation of Creative Leaders
Artists from Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and many more states participated to share and learn from artistic expressions. To recognize outstanding artistic achievements, awards were given, the first prize was awarded Lucky Jaiswal from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, second prize to Dheeraj Balihara from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, and third prizes were awarded to Rishabh Gautam of Lucknow, Sakshi Goyal of Jaipur, Benugopal Bhoi of Bargarh, Odisha, and Naina Somani of Udaipur. Jury Appreciation Awards were given to Shubham Bairagi, Jahnavi Jangid, and Chandra Sardar.
More than awards, this exhibition is to encourage young people to develop creativity, empathy, and confidence, said Sangeeta Joshi, Founder of the Trust, “The initiative seeks to carry forward the artistic legacy of late Surendra Pal Joshi while providing opportunities for young artists to grow and gain recognition. The Trust has also been actively working in the areas of art education, youth development through art, and artist support programmes.” She further shared that she is planning to launch a Graphic Art Residency Programme that is aiming to offer young artists deeper engagement, mentorship, and creative exploration opportunities.
In an era where innovation is often associated solely with AI technology, initiatives like this remind us that creativity, imagination, and artistic expression drivers social progress.
