Welcome

 "Art connects cultures and communities beyond boundaries, fostering an uplifting spirit of learning from one another. It allows the appreciation of diverse thoughts and ideas without words or judgment. We all have our connection with art, which helps us draw conclusions based on our unique perceptions," says Nikhat Qureshi.

Born in Pakistan, Nikhat moved to Montreal, Canada, in 2003 to join her husband and later relocated to Dallas, Texas. A law graduate with a post-graduate and leadership certificate in Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management, she has always been passionate about art. Her talent was recognized at age six when she sketched her pet dog. Encouraged by her parents, she pursued art despite no formal training, exhibiting her work in group shows in Pakistan. Her paintings range from landscapes to Islamic calligraphy, serving as an expression of her spiritual connection.

A self-taught, award-winning visual artist and calligrapher, Nikhat finds inspiration in religious and poetic texts. She studied Nastaliq script under a Pakistani calligraphy master and Thuluth script in Canada. Blending traditional styles with a contemporary approach, she explores calligraphy as a bridge to the Divine and enjoys sharing her knowledge.

Nikhat sought ways to merge her artistic passion with community service. From 2012 to 2014, she served as the program director for the Islamic Art Revival Series in Dallas, promoting Islamic art and cross-cultural dialogue. In 2016, she won the Rosemary Cheney Outstanding Collage Award from the Richardson Civic Art Society. After a decade in Dallas, she returned to Canada in 2016 and engaged with Vancouver’s artistic community, fostering Islamic art education and cultural exchange.

Her work has been part of exhibitions in the USA, Pakistan, and Canada. Since her move to Canada, she has collaborated with the National Art Gallery of Alberta, the City of Surrey, the City of Vancouver, and the City of Richmond to host community events for people of all ages to experience the arts of the Islamic world firsthand. Nikhat is the founder of the Islamic Art of British Columbia and frequently conducts Arabic calligraphy workshops for beginners.

In 2018, she formed BC Muslim Art House with a group of local Muslim art enthusiasts to promote education in the arts of the Islamic world within the Muslim community and beyond, encouraging a cross-cultural exchange of art and art-related activities. She is one of the three recipients of the People’s Choice Award at both the 2019 and 2021 ArtRich exhibitions. Nikhat’s artwork was displayed at the history-making celebratory event to mark October as Islamic History Month, hosted by the BC Government at the Hall of Honour inside the Legislature in 2019. Her exclusive painting titled "O Canada" was presented to Premier John Horgan, featuring major Islamic centers in different parts of Canada, celebrating Canada’s diversity, multiculturalism, freedom, discipline, inclusion, unity, and peace.

In 2023, Nikhat received the Richmond Arts Award for Artistic Innovation and Excellence for her contributions to arts in the community.

She is passionate about art, peace, and philanthropy, believing that the most selfless way to make a difference in the world is through volunteerism. Nikhat is also a fashion and lifestyle enthusiast who loves traveling and happily calls Richmond, BC, her home in Canada.