In February 2015 we installed an exhibit featured as part of Art in City Hall, a program of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, with displays on two floors of Philadelphia City Hall.
On the 4th floor we had two display cases highlighting Al-Bustan’s history and programs in presenting and teaching Arab arts and culture.
In the 5th floor gallery, we installed “We went looking For Home but we found,” a multimedia exhibait featuring the work of participants in Al-Bustan Camp 2014 led by guest artist Joan Baz. The writings, drawings, and sounds that campers created in the two week summer program were featured along with photographs of their work in progress.
In addition to the students work, we set up an interactive community board inviting people from all walks of life who come through the space in City Hall to share their ideas and reflections on home and the city, with these prompts:
“What does Home mean to you?” – “How is Home part of your identity?” – “How does your Identity shape the culture of Philadelphia?”
The responses were wide ranging and fascinating…
The exhibit at City Hall was up through April 17, 2015. Special thanks to Nadia Elokdah for her time and guidance in creating this exhibit, and to Mazin Blaik for his diligence in engineering and installing the sound set up. And thanks to our staff and volunteers for their help.
