In a remarkable evening held in the heart of Beirut’s Clemenceau district, the JAH Contemporary Art Gallery officially opened its doors on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The event brought together a distinguished audience that included art collectors, business leaders, media professionals, journalists, critics, artists, art lovers, and friends of the gallery. This cultural moment marked a pivotal step in Lebanon’s artistic landscape, uniting local and international art communities to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter of creativity, openness, and cultural dialogue.
The event debuted with a collective exhibition titled “The Grand Opening,” featuring a curated selection of contemporary artworks by artists from across the Middle East and North Africa. The diverse artworks spanned various mediums—painting, sculpture, photography, installations, and multimedia—exploring themes such as identity, memory, resistance, and belonging. The exhibition also included rare pieces from the private collection of the gallery’s founder, Dr Ayman Badreddine, built with care and passion over more than 25 years.
In his opening remarks, Dr Ayman Badreddine shared his personal and human vision behind creating the space, stating:
**“Tonight, I stand before you not only as the founder of this gallery, but as someone who believes deeply in art as a transformative force—a way to convey meaning, build connection, and bring people together from different walks of life.
Beirut has given us so much. This gallery is my humble way of giving something back to a city that continues to pulse with beauty, life, and creativity despite its hardships.
JAH is not just an exhibition hall—it is a home. A home for every artist, for every person searching for meaning, and for every visitor seeking a moment of inspiration.
This project began as a personal passion, shaped over time by every artwork that moved me and every artist with a story worth sharing.
I extend my deepest thanks to all who have contributed to this journey—from the artists, to the team, to the friends and supporters. I am honored that so many of you are here with us tonight.
And so, from the heart of Clemenceau, we officially launch a new era of art and culture in Beirut. Welcome to your new home.”**
The exhibition, curated under the direction of Mr. Mohammad Madi, received wide praise from attendees for its organization, the richness of the artworks, and the architectural design of the new space. The gallery stood out for its clear artistic vision and state-of-the-art facilities, designed to meet the evolving needs of the contemporary art world. Many visitors expressed their admiration for the gallery’s human spirit and the harmonious balance between visual aesthetics and conceptual depth.
JAH Art Gallery is an independent cultural institution dedicated to supporting both emerging and established artists from the MENA region. The gallery provides a platform that celebrates creative freedom and encourages dialogue with global contemporary art movements. Through a dynamic program of solo and group exhibitions, public talks, educational workshops, and community initiatives, the gallery seeks to build bridges between artists and the public, making art accessible, relevant, and impactful.
This grand opening marks the first step in an ambitious long-term vision to position the gallery as a leading artistic hub in Beirut and the wider region, and as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations of artists, thinkers, and art lovers.
