TEHRAN -- Master miniaturist Mahmud Farshchian here Monday called for the establishment of a college of traditional art and miniature.

He made his request at a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance for Artistic Affairs, Mohammad-Hossein Imani-Khoshkhu, and curator of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMCA) Habibollah Sadeqi at his home.

Farshchian expressed his concern over the fading-away of traditional art and miniature. He stressed the need to teach and train the youth, regretting, “Unfortunately the arts with no Iranian and Islamic roots are paid more attention at universities and art centers and miniature and traditional art are not taught.” The master also expressed his dissatisfaction over the bad conditions of schools of art, including the Isfahan School of Art, adding, “Schools of art have played a major role in training artists and many graduated students of these schools are now masters.”

Media, especially the state TV, can play an effective role in promoting and developing traditional art, said Farshchian, expressing hope traditional art will be revived through the culture minister’s efforts.

Imani-Khoshkhu, for his part, appreciated Farshchian for his efforts in development of traditional art and said the ministry also aims to support arts of national and cultural heritages. “As a short-term plan, we will try to set up a center to teach traditional art to the youth and we will later study the establishment of a traditional art college.”

The deputy minister and Farshchian are scheduled to leave for Isfahan Tuesday to visit Isfahan School of Art and discuss its problems.