Beautiful detail of Palestinian Embroidery
Opening Celebrations June 5: 6-8 PM and June 6: 10AM-1PM, Exhibit on Display until December 2009
Gallery open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10AM-6PM
Visit the Folkore Project for more details
Please come to 735 S. 50th Street in West Philadelphia to celebrate the ways in which Palestinian culture thrives in the U.S.!
About the exhibit: ‘Working with photographer Sarah Green, Khader began to seek out and document the embroidery traditions of local Palestinian women who came to Philadelphia after the Nakba, in 1948, and again after 1967. The needlework patterns that women use for domestic decorations and clothing were originally from their home villages, but since the occupation and refugee camp experience, these traditions have mingled and mixed. The embroidery remains a trace of home villages, even as those homes are destroyed, inaccessible or gone. Making homes here in Philadelphia and building a community here, women still exchange needlework. Embroidered work is part of a wedding trousseau and makes a Palestinian home look Palestinian. Khader says, “I believe that these arts are important and that the stories of the women who have continued to make them over 60 years are also important.”‘
This exciting exhibit is curated by the fabulous and talented Nehad Khader, who worked at Al-Bustan for two years as a volunteer, teaching artist, Arabic instructor, Program Coordinator, and general ombudsman. We are thrilled that she is doing this important work with support of the Leeway Foundation and Philadelphia Folklore Project, and we hope you can join us at the opening to support this wonderful undertaking.
Refreshments provided. FREE. All are welcome. If you have questions or wish to RSVP, call the Folklore Project: 215.726.1106
