By Lara Akl, Communications & Marketing Manager for the Lebanese American Foundation, Inc.
(LOS ANGELES, CA) — While war and conflict in the Arab world are the mainstream media’s current focus, here in Los Angeles, House of Lebanon Artists Group are focusing on their passion for Art to promote culture. Their aim is to showcase their work that brings attention to their collective rich Middle Eastern heritage.
As a group of artists, they are planning the House of Lebanon 4th Annual 2014 Beyond Borders Art Exhibition and Artists & Welcome Reception on Saturday, October 18, 5:00pm – 9:00pm.
The event is open to the community and will be followed by a month-long exhibition that ends on Saturday, November 15, 2014.
“We are a group of Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian, Egyptian, Arminian, Middle Eastern and American Artists who want to make a difference and promote our heritage and culture,” said Reem Hammad, Beyond Borders Art Exhibition Director. “We want a world of happy colors to paint the rich and diverse cultures of the Middle East and the Arab world. We thrive, through our paint brushes, musical instruments, pencils, cameras, and singing voices to give a different impression of the Arab countries and deconstruct existing negative stereotypes about our cultural group.”
“(The Lebanese American Foundation) embraced our ideas and our vision,” said Carole Choucair Oueijan, Chairman of House of Lebanon Artists Group. “We started as a small group of artists in Los Angeles and now we have expanded to include artists from the USA, the Middle East, and Europe. Thanks to our diverse Artists Group Members, the welcome reception will include an art exhibit, music, film screenings, and live performances. In conjunction with our show, we are offering a series of weekend workshops aimed at inviting the community to explore the Arts from the Middle East. Last year, over 500 people showed up to our 2013 Beyond Borders Art Exhibition Artists and Welcome Reception.”
“Our goal is to represent and empower our artists whose work, in its various forms, is an inspiring, powerful, and educational tool that opens a path to intercultural communications and understanding,” said Judge James Kaddo, Chairman of House of Lebanon Board of Directors. “Through the development of the first Lebanese American Cultural Center in Los Angeles, we offer the community a chance to learn more about our culture via art. Our artists own a unique creative voice that tells our story beautifully.”
About House of Lebanon
House of Lebanon is a non-profit organization located in Los Angeles. Its mission is to preserve, communicate, and celebrate Lebanese heritage and culture.
For more information visit houseoflebanon.com. You can also find the Facebook page at this link, and the ‘Beyond Borders’ exhibition event here.
About House of Lebanon Artists Group:
House of Lebanon Artists Group is a diverse group of Lebanese, Middle Eastern and American artists whose common goal is to share their love for art with their community and connect with their roots.