The Saudi Visual Arts Commission will host the “Intermix Residency” open studio from July 28 to 30 in Diriyah’s JAX District, bringing together a select group of artists for an immersive and interactive experience that invites direct engagement with the public.spa+١
The event marks the culmination of the second edition of Riyadh’s three-month “Art Residency” program, which brought together 14 artists from Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Serbia, China, Japan and Palestine. During the residency, participants explored new creative directions through research, experimentation and the exchange of knowledge and expertise, producing original projects across a wide range of artistic practices and disciplines.
Diriyah Art Future
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the program is supported by contributions from Diriyah Art Futures, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, the King Fahd National Library and the National Museum. Their involvement enriches the artists’ experience and promotes the exchange of knowledge, expertise and creative perspectives.
The open studio invites visitors to explore the artists’ workspaces, discover the projects developed during the residency and interact directly with artists and curators through a public program of performances, workshops, discussions and conversations. It offers a rare opportunity to witness the creative process firsthand at a stage where ideas are still unfolding and evolving.
The “Intermix Residency” is a key initiative of the Visual Arts Commission, designed to support artistic practice, promote the exchange of knowledge and cultivate a dynamic creative environment connected to regional and international art networks. Through the program, the Commission aims to advance the Kingdom’s visual arts scene in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Within the wider cultural landscape of Diriyah, the residency also reflects the growing role of JAX District as a meeting point for artists, institutions and the public. The district has become associated with cultural programming that links creative practice to community engagement, helping position the area as a hub for contemporary art activity in Riyadh.
Diriyah Art Futures
The participation of institutions such as Diriyah Art Futures, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives adds an educational and archival dimension to the event. By drawing on these resources, the program connects artistic experimentation with Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural memory and living heritage.
The residency format itself is designed to give artists time, space and support to develop ideas in depth, while also allowing them to interact with peers, mentors and the local cultural scene. That structure has helped make Intermix a platform for both individual artistic growth and collective exchange.
For the public, the open studio offers more than a display of finished works; it opens a window onto process, collaboration and artistic risk-taking. Visitors can follow how ideas evolve into projects, and how dialogue between artists, curators and institutions shapes the final outcome.
The event also reinforces the Commission’s broader goal of strengthening the Kingdom’s position in the regional and international art ecosystem. By linking local talent with global practices, Intermix Residency supports a creative environment that is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s long-term cultural ambitions.
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