U.S. Consulate General and Palestinian Ministry of Culture Open Special Art Exhibit in Ramallah

In celebration of the collaborative work of American artist Helen Zughaib and twelve Palestinian female artists, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Ministry of Culture opened a week-long art exhibit at the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center in Ramallah.  Consul for Press and Cultural Affairs, Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm explained that the month-long workshop that produced the art included in the exhibit is the result of the close cooperation and hard work of many at the Ministry of Culture, the Sakakini Center, the Creative Women’s Forum, and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. 

Ms. Schweitzer-Bluhm added that, “We at the Consulate were honored to have been a part of this cooperative effort that brought Arab-American artist Helen Zughaib to lead the workshop with this talented group of Palestinian women.  The workshop presented an opportunity for the American and Palestinian artists to share stories, culture, and art traditions.”  Minister of Culture Tahani Abu Daqqa

also praised the artists’ work and expressed her hope that the workshops and exhibit would be but the beginning of more cooperative projects. 

American artist and Cultural Envoy Helen Zughaib echoed the Minister’s sentiments when she thanked the American Consulate and the Ministry of Culture for the project and commented that, “this collaboration between Palestinians and Americans has started an important dialogue through art which will continue to grow and blossom in the future”.  She continued that, “this has been a unique experience for me as an artist to work with these strong and beautiful women. They have inspired me in many ways and I will treasure their stories and friendships always.”

Ms. Zughaib’s participation was part of a larger cultural program organized by the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem.  During her month long stay, Ms. Zughaib also met with numerous young artists in the West Bank, conducting workshops at Birzeit University, the Palestinian Technical College for Women, Al-Tireh UNRWA College, the Young Artists Forum and the International Center of Bethlehem.  She also made a visit to the Birzeit Ethnographic and Art Museum where she met with Director Vera Tamari and other Palestinian art experts to discuss opportunities for collaboration with American museums and ways of promoting art education in the Palestinian Territories.

The twelve Palestinian artists, selected by the Creative Women’s Forum come from Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, Hebron and Salfeet.  They were chosen for their talent, training and their interest in sharing their stories with each other and the public. 

The exhibit will close on Thursday, March 20.  It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Photo Gallery from the Event (1)
• Photo Gallery from the Event (2)