Srinagar, Aug. 23 -- While much of the world remains entangled in political divides and geographic boundaries, Kashmir recently offered a surprising setting for unity through creativity. The second edition of the International Online Art Competition, brought together by Callisto Art & Culture along with the Ehsaas Foundation, gathered more than a hundred participants representing nine countries. What emerged was not just a contest but a seamless, virtual gallery where imagination crossed every border.

The driving force behind the initiative, visual artist Zahoor Kashmiri, has long sought to build pathways for artistic dialogue across cultures. He described the event as a rare opportunity for Kashmiri artists to display their craft alongs...