April 1, 2009 –– New York, NY –– Openings is proud to present Freedom and Beauty: The Art of Iraqi Refugees, an exhibition featuring paintings and drawings by Iraqi refugees Wassan Al Kabi, Rawaa Tareg Al-Na’aiemy, Aktham A. Al-Sayegh, Amal Alwan Maseer, Thar A. Al-Sayegh, and will be on display at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, 405 West 59th Street, New York, from April 30th through May 28th.

This exhibition brings to light 15 art pieces that explore loss, tragedy and the violent turmoil that continues to plague the Middle East, while giving way to the message of hope and peace.

Artists: Wassan Al Kabi, Amal Alwan Maseer, Thar A. Al-Sayegh, Rawaa Tareg Al-Na’aiemy and Aktham A. Al-Sayegh, refugees from Iraq who fled the country during the regime of Saddam Hussein, had returned to Iraq only to flee again after death threats from the Ba’athist party militia. Wassan with her mother, sister and two brothers, Thar, his wife Rawaa with their three children and Aktham with his mother, sister, brother and sister-in-law and their children are part of the Iraqi refugee population in Amman, Jordan. Amal and her three children have been fortunate enough to find a temporary safe haven in New Paltz, NY.

Cathy Breen, a member of the advocacy group Catholic Work movement in New York that aids the poor and marginalized, has been working with Iraqi refugees in Iraq, Syria and Jordan for several years, and has also been dedicated to surveying outlets in which their artwork can be exhibited and sold, with the proceeds going directly to the artists. One artist has decided to donate any of their proceeds to charity.

All works in this exhibit are available for purchase. Reproductions of select works will also be for sale.