Saint Mark's presents: I AM

June 10-August 7, 2018
On display in the Cathedral Nave at Saint Mark's
Opening program and reception - June 10, 5 p.m. at Saint Mark’s
Closing celebration - August 5, 12:30 at Saint Mark's

Closing Celebration

Exhibition Closing: A Celebration of Voices for Peace from the Middle East
Sunday, August 5, 12:30 p.m., Saint Mark’s Cathedral

As the "I AM" exhibition comes to a close, join us for a festive and fun reception with:

A family potluck, Dabke dancing, crafts, henna painting, calligraphy, cuisine from Middle East and a staged reading of the play “Abraham’s Land” by Lauren Marshall and Hannah Eady. During this celebration, you will have an opportunity to experience the hospitality, art and culture of people living in the Middle East. Please join us in this celebration. RSVP on Facebook here!

About the exhibit:

"I AM" celebrates the rich, diverse and pivotal contribution that Middle Eastern women make to the enduring global quest for harmony and peace. The I AM exhibition is designed to address stereotypes and challenge misconceptions of the "other." A visual celebration of the crucial role that Middle Eastern women play as guardians of peace, I AM celebrates their strengths and rich and diverse contributions in the enduring global quest for a more harmonious and peaceful future. The exhibition is organized by CARAVAN, an international peacebuilding arts non-profit that focuses on building bridges through the arts between the creeds and cultures of the Middle East and West.

The I AM exhibition is guest curated by Janet Rady, a specialist in Middle Eastern contemporary art, and features 31 acclaimed women artists of Middle Eastern heritage from 12 countries. It will be on display at Saint Mark’s from June 10-August 7, 2018 as part of its 16-month USA tour. I AM premiered its global tour at the National Gallery of Fine Arts in Amman, Jordan in May 2017 under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah. It was then showcased on London’s Trafalgar Square at the historic St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and subsequently in the US at the American University Museum in Washington, D.C., followed by at The Center for the Arts in Jackson, Wyoming and Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati,

 

Events offered earlier this summer:

The Lecture Series at UCUCC presents author Paul-Gordon Chandler 
Friday, June 8: 7 p.m., University Congregational UCC
Chandler will speak on his new book In Search of a Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Khalil Gibran. Chandler will take the audience on a compelling journey through Kahlil Gibran’s writings, art, and the places he lived. He breathes life into this captivating poet-artist who moved beyond religion to the core of universal spirituality, with a unique blend of East and West. Chandler also highlights how Gibran’s voice is timeless, appealing to heart and mind, faith and reason, and serves as a much-needed guide for our times. Copies of In Search of a Prophet will available for purchase. Location: University Congregational United Church of Christ, 4515 16th Ave NE, Seattle.  Suggested $10 donation. More information: lectureseries@universityucc.org.

Opening Reception
Sunday, June 10: 5 p.m., Saint Mark's Cathedral
Includes opening address from acclaimed Yemeni-Bosnian participating artist Alia Ali and remarks from Bishop Greg Rickel. Special music by Stephen Elaimy & Erik Brown of Hours of Tarab. Reception food sponsored and provided by Mamnoon. Free admission.

“The Power of the Female Voice in the Arab World”, panel discussion
Sunday, June 24: 2-4 p.m., Saint Mark's Cathedral

Ruth McRee: panel moderator;  Dr. Kimberly Segall, Professor of English/Cultural Studies, Seattle Pacific University; Laura Lasworth, Professor of Art, Seattle Pacific University; “On Art and Resonance” (http://www.lauralasworth.com); Ranna Harb, graduate student, University of Washington; “Visuals: A closer look at Palestinian diaspora  in Seattle” plus 1 more panelist to be confirmed.

 


CONTACT: Questions, or have an idea for a future exhibition? Please contact Vi Lynk, Visual Arts Ministry Chair.

About the Artists:
The 31 women artists participating in I AM are premier artists of Middle Eastern origin and cover a broad geographic area from 12 countries. Some noted emerging artists have also been selected for participation. Each artist was invited to create one original two or three-dimensional work in any still art medium for this exhibition: painting, drawing, collage, photography, digital art, mixed media and sculpture. Participating artists and their countries are: MARWA ADEL (Egypt), RAWAN Al ADWAN (Jordan), AFSOON (Iran), AHAAD ALAMOUDI (Saudi Arabia), ALIA ALI (Yemen), BOUSHRA ALMUTAWAKEL (Yemen), ZENA ASSI (Lebanon), SHEREEN AUDI (Jordan), MANAL DEEB (Palestine), MAITHA DEMITHAN (UAE), LALLA ESSAYDI (Morocco), MARIAM ALI FAKHRO (Bahrain), TAIBA FARAJ (Bahrain), FATEN GADDES (Tunisia), AZADEH GHOTBI (Iran), NERMINE HAMMAM (Egypt), HILDA HIARY (Jordan), CARELLE HOMSY (Egypt), LULWA AL-KHALIFA (Bahrain), MARWA AL KHALIFA (Bahrain), NABEELA AL KHAYER (Bahrain), GHADA KHUNJI (Bahrain), ANNIE KURKDJIAN (Lebanon), HANAA MALALLAH (Iraq), RANIA MATAR (Lebanon), RAEDA SAADEH (Palestine), NAGLA SAMIR (Egypt), SOHEILA SOKHANVARI (Iran), MAYASA AL SOWAIDI (Bahrain), WIJDAN (Jordan), HELEN ZUGHAIB (Lebanon).

About CARAVAN:
CARAVAN, which originated out of Cairo, Egypt, is an international peacebuilding arts non-profit that focuses on building bridges through the arts between the creeds and cultures of the Middle East and West. CARAVAN’s experience has shown that the arts can serve as one of the most effective mediums to enhance understanding, bring about respect, enable sharing, and deepen friendship between those of different faiths and cultures. Past CARAVAN exhibitions have resulted in unprecedented gatherings of renowned Middle Eastern and Western artists who use art for intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and have garnered attention from the international press, media and art world, attracting thousands of visitors. For more information on CARAVAN, see: www.oncaravan.org

About the Visual Arts Ministry at Saint Mark’s:
By engaging local, national and international artists, the Visual Arts Ministry explores the intersection of art and spirituality.