AARRC celebrates the wealth of artistic talent within the Iraqi refugee community. Participation in various art events throughout the valley helps generate interest and income for the artists and provides a forum to educate the mainstream community about refugee issues through the lens of art and culture.

Locations you might have seen us:

Sunnyslope Art Walk

Phoenix Center for the Arts Family Fridays

Phoenix Festival of the Arts

First Night @ Phoenix Library ( AARRC artists drew caricatures for families attending this New Year’s Eve event)

Phoenix Center for the Arts: Five Iraqi Artists were featured in a month-long exhibit at the Phoenix Center for the Arts. Memories of Iraq: Reflections Post-2003 featured five Iraqi refugee artists and drew hundreds of art enthusiasts. The AARRC  Youth Council performed a traditional Chobi dance at the show’s opening night.

Refuge Café: Four of AARRC ’s refugee artists continue to have their work displayed at the Refuge Café, which is run by Catholic Charities. In addition, four artists submitted works to the Art Detour 26, a contest for local artists.

Art Classes: Twice a month, art classes are offered at the community center and facilitated by an Iraqi refugee who is a professional painter. Outreach art classes are conducted at Serrano Village, a local apartment complex which houses a number of Iraqi, Burmese, Bhutanese, and Somali refugees. To support Phoenix’s Junior Achievement Program’s summer bowling league, the AARRC  youth art class painted bowling pins to be used as trophies.

World Refugee Day Youth Art Contest: AARRC partnered with Catholic Charities to promote and solicit submissions from refugee youth throughout Phoenix. AARRC provided “open art studio” time during the month of June for refugee youth from all communities to come work on their projects. Washington School District enthusiastically participated and several art teachers donated time and resources to help students complete their projects. Supplies were donated by individuals, IRC, and Catholic Charities. A panel of community members served as judges: Barbara Dahlstedt: Art Teacher, Apollo High School; Carolyn Manning, Community & Economic Development Manager, AZ State RRP; Juan Moran, Community Relations Manager, USCIS; and Judith Wanderman, ARRC Volunteer.

Shatha Abed 

 

Qasim Ayyad 

  

 

Fatima Alzeheri

  

 

Zainab Alzeheri

    

 

 

Ruaa Bazargan

 

 

Dhahir Ismael