Free and Open to the Public

The Art of Palestinian Children is a traveling exhibition of 26 paintings by Palestinian children, ages 8 to 11, living in Lebanon. They are the descendants of Palestininian refugees driven from their homes in 1948. The paintings were donated by al-Jana, the Beirut- based Palestinian Centre for Popular Arts.

Al-Jana is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 that works with children and youth, encouraging them to critically research and learn from the historical and cultural experiences of their community. Much of the work focuses on engaging the children and youth to express their own issues and aspirations while developing skills to convey their inner worlds by way of creative productions and manifestations that inspire and engage young people. The work involves film-making, photography, drama, creative writing, applied arts, performance pieces, and the holistic experience of organizing festivals and carnivals that significantly cater to children and youth. Only through such a gradual process of learning, expressing and ultimately, growth, can children and youth become active agents in community development, advocating community and youth issues and concerns.

One of the key and lasting components of the work is the production and dissemination of learning resources based on the hands-on workshops with children and youth, that in turn inspires and engages other young people.

The paintings have been shown in a variety of venues in New York City, Weschester and other parts of New York state. On September 17, there will be a final show and auction at Alwan for the Arts, All proceeds from the auction will be sent to al-Jana.

Co-sponsored by The Middle East Committee of WESPAC Foundation and Adalah-NY.

Last updated: 2009-08-21 18:33:49