IRAQI Artists In EXILE

Press Release
"Artists in Exile" is sponsored by Common Humanity (www.CommonHumanity.com), a New
York based organization which seeks to build more understanding and respect for the Arab
and Muslim worlds. Common Humanity also seeks to raise awareness of the plight of over 4
million Iraqi refugees and displaced person within Iraq. This exhibit of 19 paintings is based
upon a show held earlier this spring in Damascus, organized by the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (www.unhcr.org). Common Humanity is deeply grateful to the
UNHC for their help in organizing this exhibit.




Mel Lehman, Director of Common Humanity, traveled to Damascus to purchase the paintings
from the artists and all proceeds raised will be returned to the refugees. Mr. Lehman said
"Visitors to this exhibit will get a rare chance to see something of the heart and soul of several
of the 1.5 million Iraqi refugees in Syria who have been largely forgotten by us. This
exhibition presents a unique opportunity to see Middle Eastern artists who were influenced
both by their study of modern Western art in school and also by the U.S. invasion of their
homeland."

Second Presbyterian Church (www.secondpresbyteriannyc.org) is a historic New York City
congregation, founded 20 years before the U.S. revolution. The congregation is active in the
arts, civil rights, peacemaking, and social justice issues as part of its ministry. The Church
also owns and operates the Alexander Robertson School, the oldest co-educational elementary
school in New York.
For More Information: Mel Lehman, ML9612921@aol.com, (212) 865-6115

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Tags:

• Iraqi
• Artists
• Exhibition

[phyllistownley]

AMAZING exhibit! Everyone should see the next one (Oct. 26-Nov.13) in NYC and support this wonderful work. Mel.....thank you for this rare opportunity to view these special artists, and so better understand their world.