Beth Nahrain Art Show at CCF
Chris and Rana Salem, two of the event’s organizers, stand with one of the artists.
The Chaldean Community Foundation recently hosted an art show by artists of Iraqi descent. Organized by Alan Mansour, all proceeds went to the humanitarian organization Nineveh Rising.
With seven artists participating, the three-day show attracted more than 900 attendees.
The name or theme of the show was “Beth Nahrain” meaning “the land between two rivers” (Mesopotamia). All participating artists had some connection to the ancestral homeland that lies between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
Rani Estiphan is an artist that is gaining renown as promoting the Chaldean culture through his drawings.
Azhar Matti presented his elaborate wood engraving on the Chair of King Ashurbanipal, the origins of religion on the cross, and the newly modified Ishtar’s Harp.
Sabah Wazi, a long-time sculptor, filled the gallery with his beautiful replicas from Babylon and Assyria, while Sabah Dawood showcased his modern painting of Beth Nahrain elements, and Mark Georgies displayed 3 dimensional mixed arts of painting and art of the Sureth language.
Wilson Sarkis visited Iraq earlier this year and shared his breathtaking photography of the region. He also shared his well-documented and influential videos of the Nineveh Plain villages. Sarkis is the photographer that has supplied the Chaldean News with photos for the ongoing “Iraq in the Frame” photo essay.
SHAMASH, an audio-visual artist, elevated the standard of art galleries to visual pictures and effects on a giant LED screen; his special music was mixed just for the gallery with a touch of Beth Nahrain melodies.
All who participated enjoyed the show, including the CCF crew, led by Stacy Bahri, and the Nineveh Rising crew and volunteers led by Chris and Ranna Salem. Plans are already in the works for another show next year.
Chris and Ranna Salem started the charity Nineveh Rising to restore Nineveh “one brick at a time,” according to the website. “After centuries of destruction and religious persecution, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Syriacs are uniting again in 2022.”
Its first project is called the Ashurbanipal Library and Technology Center which is currently being constructed in Alqosh. It will serve the local Chaldean community as a place to gain knowledge as well as modern technological skills. The charity is working on developing other projects that are focused on language preservation and expanding tourism in the area.
“The Beth Nahrain Art Show exceeded expectations,” Chris said. “We feel that the Chaldean Assyrian community made a bold statement about the importance of cultural preservation by shattering attendance expectations.”
The event raised over $10,000 dollars in its three days of operation. After expenses, the charity’s net proceeds were over $8,000 which will be put toward projects in Iraq.
“The Bet Nahrain Art Show is the only place you can get top quality cultural art,” Chris said. They plan to host another art show early next year on the west side and continue the shows semiannually. In addition, they plan to expand the entertainment available at the next show.