With over two hundred people in attendance to help celebrate the occasion, Al-Bustan opened a new chapter of its life on Friday, December 6, during our Ahlan! Open House. With live music, food, art-making and an art exhibit, Al-Bustan staff and friends celebrated the opening of our new office and program space at 3645 Lancaster Ave in West Philadelphia.
Open access to our entire hub and informal tours throughout the night offered visitors a chance to see our flexible gallery, performance, and workshop space, our administrative office, kitchen, and our office available for sublet. Visitors made portraits at the Community Portraits station, while others reflected on their experiences with immigration and the meaning of home in our “Immigrant Alphabet” Polaroid activity. Many kids (and a few adults too) had a chance to stencil and color letters of the Arabic alphabet to take home. Our inaugural featured artist Tremain Smith displayed stunning encaustics paintings and watercolors, many of which were sold that evening.
The kitchen was never without a swarm of hungry visitors, sampling a full spread of food by Osama Herkal of Tabouleh Catering, Asma Diab of Syrian Kitchen, nachos from Andale! Andale! (our neighbor Mexican restaurant), desserts from InKind bakers, and more delicious food made by our board members.
Performances by guest artist Issam Rafea on oud and Hafez Kotain on percussion held the audience in rapt, awed silence, while Northeast High School student Mohammad Elian (accompanied by Dr. Jay Fluellen and Hafez Kotain) moved attendees with his first ever performance of a classical Arabic song. The evening’s live music component was closed out with a lively performance by the West Philly Community Percussion Ensemble, whose energy was infectious and whose rhythms could be heard down the block.
As we reflect on and celebrate a successful opening, we want to take the opportunity to say SHUKRAN again, to those that helped with this event and with our move. Thanks to our board members and to our volunteers who helped us in setting up, clean, serving food, hanging coats, and much more. To everyone who helped behind the scenes moving boxes, painting walls, putting together furniture and with many of the other tasks involved in this transition, we are also so grateful to you.
Finally, thank you to all who came out on Friday to see Al-Bustan’s new space and show your appreciation of and interest in the work that we do. We are deeply moved by your support.
