Statement of Plans

I have been exhibiting artwork in Bethlehem and Ramallah, Palestine for the past three years. I have build up a good, trusting, working relationship with the Palestinian art world. I have built a good working relationship with Faten Nasta Mitwasi, the Art Coordinator at the International Center of Bethlehem, Palestine. In Bethlehen, Dar al-Kalima College has just opened as the first specialized Fine Arts Communications College in Palestine. I was invited to serve as an outside advisor to this college.

I am presently working on a project with Palestinian children in two Refugee Camps in Bethlehem, Palestine. Students (ages 5-16) have created artwork about their experiences. They also were given disposable cameras to photograph their reality in the Refugee Camp. These materials are being organized for an exhibition at the Boulder Public Library. I plan to tour this exhibition.

I have met Palestinian artists who are interested in doing collaborative work with minority group members in the United States as they identify with us because a similar "WALL" that has been created between the United States and Mexico. In particular, I met Hazem Azzha, a Palestinian artist who is works in photography and video. He and I wish to form an artist collective of Palestinian artists and Chicano artists who wish to work together to document refugee life of Palestinians living along the "WALL" that has been erected by Israel to separate Palestine from Israel. During my grant period, I would like to travel to Palestine to work with Hazem on this project. I would produce a photographic documentary and work with Hazem to produce a video.

Thus, I would like to spend my grant period working with Palestinian artists to produce collaborative artwork. I think few Americans have such an opportunity. Moreover, I think that such collaboration will produce art material that we could submit to galleries, museums, and biennials around the world so that others might learn about the Palestinian experience behind the wall.