(ST. LOUIS, MO, 3/20/2018) – On Saturday, March 31, the Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri) will host the 2nd annual “Creativity & Identity, An American Muslim Art Exhibition” featuring nearly three dozen local Muslim artists and performers – the majority of whom are Muslim women - to challenge stereotypes, build understanding and empower American Muslims to share their stories through art.
WHAT: Creativity & Identity, An American Muslim Art Exhibition
WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 5:30 – 9:30 P.M.
WHERE: The Contemporary Art Museum (CAM)
3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis MO, 63108
WEBSITE: www.cair-mo.org/art
TICKETS: $15 Adults, $5 for children 12 and under, 5 and under free.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/486645118397305/
CONTACT: CAIR-MO Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-403-3626 E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Events Curator Yusra Ali, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Events Organizer Sadia Ali, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Meet Some of Our Artists & Performers:
- Hi, I'm Aliaa Rehman, A Muslim Artist Who Loves Animals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq0sq9L951E
- These Two Sisters Want to Inspire American Muslim Artists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2HKbTjNOp0
- She Maybe Young But Her Words Are Sharp: Spoken Word Artist Alyaa Elsayed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdLXWoSDvx0
- Meet Adna Hodzic, A Bosnian-American Hijabi Muslim Poet: https://youtu.be/ILrRx4MO_XM
“We want to inspire a generation of American Muslim artists and performers who use their creative passions to tell their stories and not let others do it for them,” said Yusra Ali curator for the art exhibition. “After last year’s art exhibition, we had so many Muslim creatives reach out, especially Muslim women who wanted an opportunity to display their work and tell their stories. We are so inspired by the overwhelming number of Muslim women who are organizing, are premiered artists and performers, and will share their talents and stories on the last of National Women’s History Month.”
“Ever since I was young I was an avid artist who was always drawing but my parents wanted me to pursue a ‘real career and saw art as a side devalued hobby,” said Sadia Ali lead event coordinator of the Art Exhibition. “I want to challenge that notion within the Muslim community and give local Muslim creatives a platform to share their talents, come together, and see others within the community who have the same passion and struggle as them.”
The exhibition will feature nearly three dozen local Muslim artists and is the brainchild of Muslim women, organized by Muslim women, and the majority of artists and performers are Muslim women.
During the event, various artists will display their art at CAM, discuss how art impacts their faith and identity as American Muslims. Various Muslim performers and artists will give speeches, poems, spoken word, Nasheed (singing), inspiring speeches, and comedy performances. International food will be served at the event. Guests will be able to purchase art from the local artists. A children’s interactive section is setup at the Exhibition where kids will have fun making various crafts. A variety of interactive tables are also setup ranging from Henna Art, to Arabic Calligraphy, to pancake art, and spray-painted t-shirts. The exhibition is open to the public and is a family-friendly event.
“When Americans think of Islam or Muslims, especially Muslim women, the last thing they would think of are artists who use various mediums to express themselves and share their stories” said Faizan Syed Executive Director of CAIR-Missouri. “We want to transform not only the way the greater community views Islam and American Muslims but within our community create opportunities for Muslims to pursue their artistic passions. So often the stories of women in general and especially minority women go untold and underappreciated. This art exhibition challenges that.”
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed, 636-207-8882, 314-330-2946, E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.