A Collection of Work from the Palestinian Artists’ Association

Rafah, Gaza,

Yusuf Subeh, Bisan Umar Atteya, Hamza Jamal Mansur, Anwar Ismail Anwar Yehia, Hiba Ibrahim al Jazzar, Rim Abu Al Rus, Bahir Hemeid Qishta, and Mustafa Al Bahnasawi

And Pen and ink drawings by Olympia artist Will Hewitt

Presented by: The Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project

Reception and talk: Saturday, March 31st, 2-4 PM,

Traditions Café and World Folk Art
300 5th Avenue SW, Olympia

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The Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project (ORSCP) will host a reception and talk featuring Palestinian art exhibited during March and April at Traditions Café’ and World Folk Art in Olympia. Will Hewitt, an ORSCP delegate to Rafah in December 2005 to January 2006, will discuss the Palestinian art and the Artists’ Association from which it came, as well as his own pen and ink drawings made while he was in the West Bank and Gaza. Hewitt will, also, respond to questions about his own experiences as an ORSCP delegate during that time.

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The Palestinian Artists’ Association in Rafah is a group of young artists and art students, ranging in age from 20 to 30. They have a studio where they hold classes and workshops in painting, drawing, and sculpture. The body of work being shown in Olympia was created during a one month workshop in January-February 2006. Delegates from the Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project met with members of the association and agreed that the Palestinian artists would create a collection of paintings and drawings to be shown and offered for sale in Olympia. The artists set the general theme of the workshop, “The Palestinian Struggle.” Descriptions of individual pieces are translations from their own words. The Palestinian leader of the workshop, Anwar Ismail Anwar Yehia, focused on teaching students to incorporate cultural elements such as geometric designs, traditional pottery, and depictions of Palestinian architecture, as well as teaching techniques for chalk pastel portraiture.

Will Hewitt has twice traveled to Rafah, most recently in winter 2005-2006, as a delegate of the Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project. His black and white portraits, which appear in the exhibit, were created during his most recent trip. They depict Palestinians as well as internationals whom he encountered in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.

All proceeds from the sale of the Palestinian art and Hewitt’s drawings will benefit the Palestinian Artists’ Association in Rafah.

For more information about the Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project please visit orscp.org or e-mail info@orscp.org.

Contact: John Harvey 915-3809