Behind the Lines - Contemporary Art Exhibit

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Wednesday, December 14th, 2016
Duncan United Church November 27 � December 3 Opening Reception Sunday 3:00 � 6:00 pm Days: Monday to Saturday 10:00 am � 3:00 pm Evenings: Wednesday 4:00 � 6:00 pm; Thursday & Friday 6:00 � 8:00 pm; Saturday 6:00 � 7:30pm Brentwood College School December 10 � 17 Evenings Only: 7:00 � 9:00 pm

A year since the Canadian government committed to welcoming Syrian refugees into our communities, are we any more knowledgeable about the diverse and rich culture of this war torn land?

For the first time on Vancouver Island, a collection** of contemporary Syrian art Behind the Lines will be on display at Duncan United Church from November 27 to December 3 – with a special opening reception on November 27 – and at Brentwood College School in Mill Bay from December 10 to 17. Penticton Art Gallery Curator Paul Crawford brings “powerful, raw, and striking” images from nineteen Syrian artists to the heart of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley. Exhibit visitors will have the opportunity to see the conflict in Syria from a Syrian perspective, while contributing to the well-being of the artists (most still live in Syria) and their communities. In strokes of colour and imagery that “is a testament to the capacity of the human spirit”, the exhibit draws viewers into Syria in a way that few other media can. Each work speaks eloquently, containing and reflecting the passion of the artists creating them. Contacted by a small group coordinated by the Cowichan Intercultural Society, Mr. Crawford shares the exhibit at no cost, hoping the artists might connect with others in the world beyond the bombs.

The Faculty of Social Sciences, Vancouver Island University, has arranged for Mr. Crawford to speak about the exhibit and the artists on November 28, while other partners (including VIU Faculty Association) have offered to help defray travel costs and provide space for the exhibit without charge. Admission to the exhibit is by donation. Please come down and let your eyes inform your heart of what the mind can sometimes not fully comprehend…Syria…today…as narrated by the young hands of her artists.