Saudi craftsmanship is on display in Venice as the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) takes part in the fourth Homo Faber Biennial, organized by the Michelangelo Foundation from September 1 to 30, 2026, underlining the Kingdom's growing role in fine and handmade arts.

Wrth is presenting three major works. Saudi artisan Ahmed Al-Fawzan was chosen to represent the Middle East in “Twenty Silent Songs,” a central installation showing Najdi door craftsmanship alongside 19 leading artisans from around the world. “Orbit of Bloom” is a metalwork collaboration by Ayat Dhahi and Revan Abdulsabour, and “Where Clay Remembers” is a pottery installation by Asma Alshamari exploring traditional Saudi arts in contemporary design.

Saudi students Almaha Alomari and Hala Alayoubi are representing the Kingdom in the Young Ambassadors Program, a six-week residency in Venice with 90 international peers.

At the opening summit, Wrth's Head of Design and Production Abdulaziz Alsunusi will join the panel “Criteria of Artisan Excellence: Shaping a Global Standard,” which coincides with the launch of the updated edition of The Master's Touch study, to which the Wrth team contributed.

Founded in 2021 as a non-profit, Wrth, whose name means “heritage,” is the Kingdom's leading center for traditional crafts, preserving heritage and supporting local artisans through education, research and conservation.