Signature Event Recordings and Gallery Exhibit Descriptions
Immigrant artists from Israel, Syria, Turkey, Switzerland, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela share their art and personal stories about their cultural heritage intertwined with their American experience, and the impact of immigration and the new American culture on their lives and art making. The project entitled “Crossing Borders: Artists from the Middle East & the Americas” an art exhibition with cultural events from South Florida’s rich multicultural community. At the exhibit opening, attendants will experience “A Taste of the Middle East, and Latin America,” and engage the attendants in a facilitated dialogue focusing on building cultural understanding, dispelling stereotypes, and fostering awareness of immigrants from the Middle East, the Americas and beyond with stories of their history in the U.S. This will be shared through videos, photos, and text as it contributes to the American fabric.
- Crossing Borders Exhibit: Artists PanelRecorded June 30, 2022
An interactive panel discussion with the artists from the Crossing Borders exhibit; Panelists discuss their cultural heritage, art education, inspiration for art-making, and how their new lives in America influence their artistic work.
The panel was curated by Tony Khawam. Tony was born in Aleppo, Syria and now lives and works in Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and a Master in Commercial Art from Montclair State University in New Jersey. He is deeply rooted in his Middle Eastern heritage and the American experience through history, current events, and the surrounding urban landscape to where he lives and works. - Crossing Borders: A Musical Evening with Matt MardiniMatt Mardini is an accomplished artist, Crooner, and Entrepreneur born in Aleppo, Syria. As a stage act, Matt has exemplified excellence in every aspect of the entertainment world. Singing for a wide range of events worldwide; at theaters, TV shows, weddings, corporate, and private events. Whether singing Jazz, Blues, standards, Rock & Roll or classics from the 40s up to the latest hits, our front man can charm crowds in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Armenian, Russian, and Arabic. In his musical journey, crooner Matt Mardini has performed countless live shows and touched audiences with his remarkable voice and his interpretations of the most romantic songs of all time, in Canada, the USA, Europe and the Middle East. Along with his talent and positive energy, this drive recently earned him an impressive gig at the iconic Bell Center.
Tony Khawam is an award-winning artist and curator, born in Aleppo, Syria, lives and works in South Florida. His work is exhibited nationally and has been collected by several museums and private collectors in the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, and has been featured in numerous art magazines. He is the author of several cultural exhibition catalogues with a focus on heritage, social concerns, and immigration intertwined with the American culture. His work examines the cross-cultural dynamic in our communities for better cultural bridge building and understanding, and he is dedicated to nurturing new art to engage and connect our diverse communities through dynamic exhibits with stimulating specialty programs and inspired events to ignite cultural enrichment.