PESHAWAR: Speakers at a painting and fashion exhibition here on Wednesday stressed the need for providing platforms to young artists so that they could bring out their hidden and untapped creative talent. The two-day exhibition was kicked off at the lone cultural venue of Peshawar, Nishtar Hall. Visitors from in and around the city thronged the event and took keen interest in artworks and fashion designs displayed at the exhibition. They urged the relevant stakeholders to encourage young artists by arranging such events. Jointly organised by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Department of Archaeology and Museums and Bank of Khyber, the exhibition featured more than 100 pieces of paintings and models of fashion designs created by students. The exhibition was part of women literature festival that launched on November 25 and would continue till November 29 at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar. KPCTA Director Umar Arshad Khan, who was chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the exhibition. Tashfeen Zia, Dr Hamida, Sameera Gul, Sania Siraj, Dr Zarmena Baloch and Fariha Sami and a large number of teachers, students and lovers of arts and fashion attended the event. Speaking on the occasion, speakers appreciated creative strength of students and advised them to continue their efforts for achieving milestones in their respective fields of visual arts and fashion designs. The exhibition showcased more than 100 paintings created by students on themes such as lotus flowers and cultural colours along with various other artistic concepts and ideas. Speakers stressed the need for providing such platforms to young artists so they could bring out their hidden and untapped creative talent. Students also displayed models of their fashion designs, which were well responded. Visitors took keen interest in the fashion designs and praised their artworks, saying if such opportunities were provided to emerging artists, they would do wonders. Umar Arshad praised the paintings of lotus flowers and related themes, saying they were painted in an exceptional manner. He said that lotus flower, which grew in muddy waters, symbolised resilience and the paintings conveyed the message that like the lotus, one should never lose hope despite challenges. He said that Nishtar Hall had once again become a hub for cultural activities. Later, shields and commendation certificates were distributed among the participating teachers and students.