Creative Statement
My creative work exits at the intersection of classical mysticism and contemporary society. Mysticism comprises two complementary facets, both of which unify a single worldview. Outward-facing mysticism peers into the world, perceiving the unity lying at the center of all apparent multiplicity. The spark of God resides as surely in a coconut as a grass blade as a flea as your enemy. And each spark fuses into a unitary whole, at a level somewhere below quarks. A second aspect of mysticism defines an inward-looking gaze, discerning the place deep inside oneself where “within” and “above” melt into each other.
When applied to social interactions, this energy soothes, heals, and quiets anxiety, anger and violence.
I utilize the playwriting, visual arts and authorship to spread this positive inspiration, exploring the interaction between the spiritual life of humanity and our sometimes-difficult shared reality. My work explores humans' attempts to make sense of this world and our shared struggle to develop and live by a moral code. At the very best, I hope that my art will have an activist influence, causing viewers to question their own personal roles in making the world a better place
I work in series: I begin with a philosophical and activist impulse, proceed through reading on the subject, writing, drawing and then, finally, to creating a body of work in response to the particular issue at hand. I have undertaken a series of projects as part of this ongoing inquiry. I painted three bodies of work based in the highest impulses of the Abrahamic faiths - the Sufi masters of Islam, the Baal Shem Tov of Judaism and Meister Eckhart of Christianity. I followed this with my Human Rights Painting Project, in conjunction with Amnesty International. This series of portraits highlighted human rights advocates from around the world and the vital work of Amnesty International. I have undertaken a project entitled Shalom/Salaam, based in a virtually unknown tale of mystical intermingling between Jewish and Muslim mystics over nearly a thousand years of human history. I created a series of paintings entitled Response to Machiavelli, which looks at the small-minded, self-serving state of our current political system and uses the philosophy of great social thinkers from the past few millennia to propose another, more caring way. I explored the lie of classical mysticism through my series In the Garden of the Mystical Redoubt. I created theatrical productions around mystical ideals, and published a book, Mysticism in the Theater: What’s Needed Right Now, to look at how these ideas might influence theater makers.
I have also utilized my work to explore Sufi teachings, the mysticism of the mundane, the necessity for humans to create a “story” to order meaning, whether or not a comprehensible “story” truly exists or not (is all “truth” random?) and other issues at the intersection of the mystical and the mundane.
All of this work led me to create a spiritual creative model, which I published as Prophetic Activist Art: Handbook for a Spiritual Revolution, which lays out how to leverage social and creative energy for the common good.
In addition to painting and writing books and plays, I founded the International Human Rights Art Movement (humanrightsartmovement.org), an arts and human rights NGO based in New York City, putting mysticism into practice: the highest stage of spiritual work.
My practice also includes partnerships with well-known individuals and non-profit groups working on the same issues; presenting my ideas at conferences; sponsoring interfaith events in conjunction with my exhibits and reaching out through the mass media with my ideas, all in the hopes of effecting positive change in the society at large.
Resume
Books
2024
The One Act Plays (theater), self-published, NY
The Social and Political Plays (theater), self-published, NY
The Ten Minute Plays (theater), self-published, NY
The Absurdist-Mystical Plays (theater), self-published, NY
2023
Wandering Among Souls (spiritual biography of humanity), self-published, NY
Life Verbatim (novel), self-published, NY
2022
Mysticism in the Theatre: What’s Needed Right Now (manifesto/handbook), Routledge Publisher, England.
2020
“Rambles with Nature” in Bending Genres Anthology 2018-2019, Bending Genres, WI.
2014
Prophetic Activist Art (manifesto/handbook), Center for Human Ecology, Scotland.
The Fool Returns (novel), Anaphora Literary Press, Atlanta, GA.
Machiavelli in America (social philosophy), Algora Publisher, NY.
2012
A Fatal Addiction: War in the Name of God (social philosophy), Algora Publisher, NY.
“Fethullah Gulen and the Education of Peace: How shared Jewish and Muslim teaching tales echo his teaching,” in Preventing Violence and Achieving World Peace, Peter Lang Press, Switzerland.
2010
Shalom/Salaam: A Tale of a Mystical Fraternity (history), Fons Vitae, Louisville, KY
Shalom/Salaam: A Tale of a Mystical Fraternity (history in Turkish), Bilim Artı Gönül Yayıncılık Ltd. Şti., Istanbul, Turkey
Theatrical Productions
2024
Oud Player on the Tel (Directed by Jesica Garrou), HERE Arts Cnter, NYC
A Great Wave (commission) (Directed by Tom Block), Poppenhausen Museum, NYC
Oud Player on the Tel (excerpt) (Directed by Jesica Garrou), Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning “Met the Playwrights” program, NYC
2021
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander (Directed Tom Block) The Tank Theater, NYC
2019
Duck (Directed by Katrin Hilbe) IRT Theater, NY
2018
La Bestia: Sweet Mother (Directed/choreographed by Jessica Chen) Wild Project, NY (Dance/Theatre)
2017
Duck (Directed by Clare Shaffer) Highwood Theater, MD
Sub Basement (Directed by Hunter Bird) IRT Theater, NY
2015
Emission (Directed by Pitr Strait) Dream Up Festival, Theater for the New City, NY
Emission (Directed by Kristin Hoffman) Dixon Place, NY
La Bestia: Sweet Mother (Directed by Suzanne Karpinsky) HERE Arts Center, NY
2014
An Immigrant’s Tale (Directed by Tom Block) modern dance and original music, Takoma Park Theater, MD
La Bestia: Sweet Mother (Directed by Tom Block) Dream Up Festival, Theater for the New City, NY
Oud Player on the Tel (Directed by David Winitsky) OPEN Festival, Jewish Plays Project, Theater at the 14th Street Y, NY
A Troubadour’s Tale (Directed by Tom Block) modern dance and original music, Theater at the 14th Street Y, NY
La Bestia: Sweet Mother (Directed by Tom Block) Theater at the 14th Street Y, NY
2013
White Noise (Directed by Moema Umann) Theater for the New City, NY
Butterfly (Directed by Roselie Vazquez-Yetter) Wanderlust Theater Company, Takoma Park, MD
2012
White Noise (Directed by Roselie Vazquez-Yetter) Wanderlust Theater Company, The Fridge, Washington DC
2007
Frank Johnson (Directed by Rick Starkweather) Silver Spring Stage Festival of One-Acts, Silver Spring, MD
Ten Minute Play Productions
2024
What Remains of the Day (Directed by Tom Block) Cut Edge Collective 10-minutes play Festival, The Tank, NY
2023
Harry and Mollie (Directed by Tom Block) Cut Edge Collective 10-minutes play Festival, The Tank, NY
2022
Let’s Pretend (Directed by Tom Block) Cut Edge Collective 10-minutes play Festival, The Tank, NY
2021
Let’s Pretend (Directed by Written by Tom Block) International Human Rights Art Festival, Wild Project Theater, NY
2018
What Remains of the Day (Directed by Talia Feldberg) Dirty Blondes 24-hour Play Festival, Kraine Theater, NY
Things Gently Laid to Rest (Directed by Molly Van Der Molen) Jack Bauer Theatre Festival, Wild Project Theater, NY
Reunion (Directed by Annie Ward) Complete Theatre Company, NY
Supreme Solution (Directed by Tom Block) Act One One-Act Festival, Secret Theatre, NY
2017
The Debate (Directed by Linda Lombardi) Act Out, Washington DC
2016
The Debate (Directed by Melissa Skirboll) Urban Stages Theater, NY
2015
The Interview (Directed by Tom Block) Secret Theater, NY
Transparency (Directed by Tom Block) Equity Library/Piney Fork Theater, NY
Aubergine (Directed by Suzanne Karpinski) Player’s Theatre Short Play Festival, NY
Aubergine (Directed by Suzanne Karpinski) Athena Theatre Company’s 10-minute Play Festival, Theatre Row, NY
Mound (Directed by Tom Block) Manhattan Repertory’s “Spring Fling,” NY
2014
Actor/Acted (Directed by Tony Tambasco) Grex 24-Hour Play Festival, Theater 54, NY
Mollie and Harry (Directed by Tom Block) Unboxed Voices Festival, Kraine Theater, NY
Mollie and Harry (Written by Tom Block) New Works Series, Emerging Artists Theater, NY
2013
Muse (Directed by Tom Block) Chatterton Short Play Lab, Roy Arias Studios, NY
Art Exhibits
Ongoing
2022-present Human Rights Painting Project, PartnersGlobal, Washington DC
2007-present Cousins Public Art Project, Silver Spring, MD
2009-present American Institute of Contemporary German Studies, Washington DC
Selected One-Person Art Exhibitions:
2018
Wild Project, NY
2017
Dixon Place, NY
Highwood Gallery, MD
2016
Dixon Place, NY
Galeria Sabay, NY
2015
Dixon Place, NY
2014
Cipriani’s, NY
LABA Gallery, NY
2013
TNC Gallery, New York, NY
OSilas Gallery, Concordia College, NY
2012
Foundation Gallery, Kensington, MD
Adah Rose Gallery, Kensington, MD
Fridge Gallery, Washington DC
Mishin Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2010
James Gallery, Union Theological Seminary, NY
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Silver Spring, MD
Cafritz Art Center, Montgomery College, Silver Spring, MD
2009
Gallagher Gallery, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ
Hamiltonian Gallery, Washington DC
Washington Project for the Arts, Washington DC
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Silver Spring, MD
Visions Gallery, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, MD
2008
Martinetti Gallery, Johnson State College, Johnson, VT
HUB Robeson Gallery, Penn State University, State College, PA
United Nations, Tanenbaum Center for Inter-religious Understanding, NY
Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, Frederick, MD
Anne Kittrell Gallery, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Alumni Gallery, Manhattan College, New York, NY
Ciferni Gallery, Washington Theological Seminary, Washington DC
Hanover College Art Gallery, Hanover, IN
2007
Dayton Peace Museum, Dayton, OH
Fisher Gallery, Northern Virginia Community College, Arlington, VA
Trisolini Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, OH
Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Johnson State College, Johnson, VT
Heliport Gallery, Silver Spring, MD
Herndon Gallery, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, OH
Mendenhall Gallery, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
2006
Project 06 Arts Festival, Galway, Ireland
2005
HNTB Gallery, Washington D.C.
Phillips Museum, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
Beneficial-Hodson Library, Hood College, Frederick, MD
Tessera Gallery, Winston-Salem, NC
Saville Gallery, Allegany Arts Council, Cumberland, MD
2004
HNTB Gallery, Washington D.C.
Fine Gallery, Bethesda, MD
Gelman Library, George Washington University, Washington D.C.
Artspace, Richmond, VA
Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, Laurel, MD
2003
Eckles Gallery, George Washington University, Washington D.C.
Pearl Conard Gallery, Ohio State University, Mansfield, OH
Ratner Museum, Bethesda, MD
A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
2002
Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery, Detroit, MI
Artemisia Gallery, Chicago, IL
AFL-CIO, Washington DC
2001
Kresge Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Gallery 10, Washington DC
2000
Spanish Embassy, Washington DC
Phoenix Gallery, New York, NY
1999
Gallery 10, Washington DC
1998
Arts Club of Washington, Washington DC
Athena Gallery, Savannah, GA
1997
Artists’ Museum, Washington DC
artsJAM! Gallery, Washington DC
1995
Galeria Labirintho, Oporto, Portugal
1994
Espacio Chiado, Lisbon, Portugal
Camara Municipal do Castelo da Vide, Castelo da Vide, Portugal
1993
Corral de las Ciguenas, Caceres, Spain
Camara Municipal do Castelo da Vide, Castelo da Vide, Portugal
Biblioteca Publico del Estado, Caceres, Spain
Selected Group Art Exhibitions:
2023
Artego, New York, NY
2022
Partners Global, DC
Hamiltonian Artists, DC
Puffin Foundation, NJ
2021
North Dakota Human Rights Art and Film Festival, ND
2017
Kimmel Galleries, NY
US Congress, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington D.C.
2016
Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY
Kramer Gallery, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, MD
2014
ArtDC Gallery, Mt. Ranier, MD
Poggenpohl Design Center, Washington DC
1500 K Street Gallery, Washington DC
Adah Rose Gallery, Kensington, MD
2013
Gallery K, Community College of Baltimore, MD
Adah Rose Gallery, Kensington, MD
2012
SPACEWomb, New York
District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington DC
Jiwar Creation and Society, Barcelona, Spain
Institute of Humanities Research, Arizona State University, AZ
Picture Cultural Art Gallery, California State University, CA
Phyllis Weston Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
Boxheart Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2011
Embassy of Columbia, Washington DC
Phyllis Weston Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
Boxheart Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2010
International Human Rights Law Institute, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Phyllis Weston Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
Boxheart Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2009
Washington Project for the Arts, Washington D.C.
US Congress, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington D.C.
Garage Gallery, San Diego, CA
Boxheart Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
Hamiltonian Gallery, Washington D.C.
Northern Lights Gallery, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2008
Boxheart Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
Scope Art Fair, Art Basel, Miami, FL
Alpha/Omega Gallery, Columbus, OH
James Backus Gallery, Maryland State Arts Council, Baltimore, MD
Temple Judea Museum, Elkins Park, PA
Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME
2007
Wein Gallery, Presentation College, Aberdeen, SD
Fine Arts Gallery, Westchester Community College, NY
Artscape, Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
Human Rights Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY
Tevis Gallery, Westminster County Arts Council, Westminster, MD
An Investigation of Contemporary Drawing, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
2006
Houghton Gallery, Cooper Union College, New York, NY
Marlboro Gallery, Prince George’s Community College, Laurel, MD
2005
ArtSpace, Richmond, VA
Ratner Museum, Bethesda, MD
Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, Silver Spring, MD
Gavilan College Art Gallery, Gilroy, CA
Howard County Arts Center, Ellicott City, MD
Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
2004
Phillips Museum, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
Olin Fine Arts Center, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA
Athens Institute of Contemporary Art, Athens, GA
Mid-Atlantic New Painting 2004, Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, VA
2003
Fine Gallery, Bethesda, MD
ARTery, Washington D.C.
2002
Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum, Coshocton, OH
A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Jewish Museum of Maryland, Annapolis, MD
Washington Project for the Arts/Corcoran, Washington DC
2001
Biella Gallery, Vienna, VA
Galeria Via Venezia, Venice, Italy
Marino Marini Museum, Pistoia, Italy
Contemporary Art Museum of Montecatini, Montecatini, Italy
Maryland Art Place, Baltimore, MD
Gallery 10, Washington DC
2000
Courtyard Gallery, Washington DC
Four Directions Gallery, Grand Junction, CO
Galeria Assioma, Prato, Italy
Palm Springs International Art Fair, Palm Springs, CA
Art Without Walls, New York, NY
Gallery 10, Washington DC
1999
Wente Gallery, Livermore, CA
Galeria Assioma, Prato, Italy
Galeria Riva Sinistra, Florence, Italy
Gallery 10, Washington DC
1998
Phoenix Gallery, New York, NY
Gallery 10, Washington DC
1997
Gallery 10, Washington DC
Athena Gallery, Savannah, GA
1996
Aaron Gallery, Washington DC
1995
Aaron Gallery, Washington DC
Galeria El Gayo Arte, Madrid, Spain
1994
Galeria MAC, Lisbon, Portugal
Galeria YGREGGO, Lisbon, Portugal
Galeria Traviata, Caceres, Spain
Sala El Brocense, Caceres, Spain
1993
Galeria Traviata, Caceres, Spain
Biblioteca del Estado, Caceres, Spain
Filmography
2022
The Other Gaza (Co-Producer, Pitch/Proposal Writer) full-length documentary by Wafa Jamil, in production, Palestine/Sweden
Let’s Pretend (Director, Writer) TV Pilot filmed in NYC
2021
Let’s Pretend (Producer, Director, Writer) Narrative short (Wild Project Productions)
2020
Being Dead (Associate Producer) Full-length feature film (21 Summit Films)
Other Published Work:
2023
Smith & Kraus: The Best 10-Minute Plays 2023 (NH), “Mollie and Harry.”
2022
Hello Godot (Delhi, India), “Waiting Room.”
Masque and Spectacle (NY), “Let’s Pretend.”2021 Black Horse Review (CA), “Seek Wisdom.”
2020
Big Windows Review (MI), “Mystic.”
2019
Meniscus Journal, Australia, “Raymond Carver”
North of Oxford Journal (MA), “White Picket Fence.”
North of Oxford Journal (MA), “Through the Window.”
2018
H.E.A.T. Collective (NY): “Prophetic Activist Art.”
2017
North of Oxford Journal (MA), “Exhortations.”
34Justice (DC), “Ramming Morality Into Our Economic System the John Ruskin Way.”
HowlRound (MA), “Atttar’s Conference of the Birds.”
HowlRound (MA), “Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Discipleship.”
HowlRound (MA), “Chuang Tzu: Mysticism of the Absurd.”
HowlRound (MA), “Mysticism in the Theater: What’s Needed Right Now.”
2016
34Justice (DC), “War in the Name of God.”
34Justice (DC), “Truth or Politics.”
2014
34Justice (DC), “A Response to Machiavelli: Three Legislative Proposals.”
2013
34Justice (DC), “Machiavelli in America.”
2011
Sophia: The Magazine of Traditional Studies (VA), “Sufi-Hasidic Legends.”
2010
Muslim Dialogue, “Shed a Tear for Safed.”
2008
International Journal of the Arts in Society (Australia), “Prophetic Activist Art.”
Calliope Theater Company (MD), “White Noise;” staged reading of full-length play.
Popular Culture Association Almanack (NY), “War as Love: How the Spiritual Quest has been Co-opted to Sell War.”
The Panoptikon, (United Arab Emirates), “The Relevance of the Beautiful?”
Sophia: The Magazine of Traditional Studies (VA), “Sufi Influence on the Kabbalah.”
2007
The Panoptikon: A Journal of Visual Culture, (United Arab Emirates), “Real Artistic Style.”
Sufi Magazine (London, England), “Early Kabbalists Under Sufi Influence.”
2006
Reflections (Hibbard, MN), "The Call for a Moral Ombudsman."
2005
Sufi Magazine (London, England), "Moses Maimonides and the Sufis of Islam."
2004
The Image Warehouse (Athens, TX), "Dear Julie: Thoughts on Democracy."
Pedestal Magazine (Charlotte, NC), "Supreme Court, My Ass."
Sophia: The Magazine of Traditional Studies (VA), "Solomon Ibn Gabirol: A Jewish/Sufi."
Dystinct Art Magazine (New York), "A Key Out of the Palestinian/Israeli Labyrinth."
2003
Sufi Magazine (London, England), "Sufis and Hasids: Shared Teaching Tales."
Revista Sufi (Madrid, Spain), “Avraham Maimonides: un Sufi-Judio.”
2002
Detroit Jewish News (Detroit, MI), "The Jewish Gift to Islamic Mysticism."
2001
Sufi Magazine (London, England), "Abraham Maimonides: A Jewish Sufi."
Washington Review (Washington, D.C.), "Maxine Cable: Art Review"
Selected Awards, Honors, Public Art etc:
2024
Poppenhausen Museum, NY, play commission: “A Great Wave”.
NYFA-Queens Art Fund, NY, “Oud Player on the Tel”.
NYC-Cultural Development Fund Grant, NY IHRAF.
New York State Council on the Arts, NY, IHRAF.
A.R.T.-NY New York City Small Theatres Fund, IHRAF.
2023
New York State Council on the Arts, NY. IHRAF.
A.R.T.-NY New York City Small Theatres Fund, IHRAF.
Jamaica Center of Arts and Learning, NY. Meet the Playwright: “Oud Player on the Tel.”
2022
NYSCA-A.R.T./New York Creative Opportunity Fund, NY. IHRAF.
2021
City Artists Grant, NY. Support for play production of Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander.
2020
IATI Theater, NY. Selected for Cimientos play development program.
Arts and Humanities Council, MD. For International Human Rights Art Festival.
2019
IATI Theater, NY. Selected for Cimientos play development program.
Norman Lear Family Foundation, CA. For International Human Rights Art Festival.
2018
Puffin Foundation, Teaneck NJ. For La Bestia: Sweet Mother dance/theatre project.
Norman Lear Family Foundation, CA. For International Human Rights Art Festival.
Barbra Streisand Foundation, CA. For International Human Rights Art Festival.
Yip Harburg Foundation, NY. For La Bestia: Sweet Mother dance/theatre project.
2017
Norman Lear Family Foundation, CA. For International Human Rights Art Festival.
2016
ART-NY, NY. Create Space Grant for Sub-Basement rehearsals.
Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, MD. Funding to create a series of paintings to accompany the play Sub Basement.
2015
Shetterly Prize, Los Angeles, CA. Painting prize for the portrayal of courageous hero.
Puffin Foundation, Teaneck NJ. Funding for Sub-Basement.
2014
Dramatists Guild Fund, NY. Funding for Sub-Basement.
2013-14
LABA Fellowship, NY. One year play development fellowship, 14th St. Y.
2013
Maryland State Arts Council, MD. Individual Artist Award, one of three in the state at the highest level.
2012
Jiwar Artist Residency, Barcelona, Spain. Selected for one-month artist residency.
2011
Corcoran Museum, DC. Selected to present art at event for “30 American Artists” exhibit.
2010
Norman Lear Family Foundation, CA. Funding for Amnesty International Art Festival.
Mary Greve Foundation, NY. Funding to publish “Shalom/Salaam” book in English.
2008 - 09
Hamiltonian Fellow, Washington DC. Selected for art career incubator fellowship.
2008
Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, MD. Creative Project Grant.
Marie Walsh Sharpe Space Program, NY. Selected as alternate for studio space.
Maryland State Arts Council, MD. Individual Artist Award.
2007
Takoma Park/Silver Spring Voice, MD. Voted “Artist of the Year” by readers.
Kennett Street Art Wall, MD. Commissioned to install permanent public art works.
Impact Silver Spring, MD. “Builder’s Award” for founding Space 7:10.
2006
Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation, NY. Monetary grant for Shalom/Salaam Project.
Cooper Union Residency, NY. One-month summer painting residency.
Nelson Talbott Foundation, MD. Monetary grant for Human Rights Painting Project.
2005
Sugarman Foundation, Novato, CA. Monetary grant for Shalom/Salaam Project.
Artist Adorned Transit Stops, Tempe, AZ. Commissioned to install public art in bus stops.
2003-05
New York Foundation for the Arts, NY. Fiscal sponsorship for Shalom/Salaam Project
2002, 2004
Puffin Foundation, Teaneck NJ. Monetary grants for two different projects.
1998
Montgomery County Art Association, MD. Collaborative Art Program Grant.
1996, 1997
Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, MD. Outreach Program Grant.
1995
Fifth Annual Young Painters Competition, Sala El Brocense, Caceres, Spain.
Other Work Experience:
Founding Producer International Human Rights Art Movement (501c3, NYC, 2017-present); Founding Director of Cut Edge Collective non-traditional playwriting collective (2020-present); Founding teacher, Institute of Prophetic Activist Art (Dixon Place, NY, 2015-2017); Research Fellow (activist Art), DePaul University International Human Rights Law Institute (IL, 2010); Founding Producer, Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (MD, 2010); Founder, Space 7:10 (MD); Steering Committee Member, Greater Washington Forum on Arab Israeli Affairs (DC, 2007); Vice President, Arts and Humanities Council (Takoma Park, MD, 2002-3); lectured and ran workshops on art, activism and Jewish-Muslim spiritual interdependence at al-Azhar University (Cairo); Chief Rabbi’s Office (Turkey); Art, Spirituality and the Future (Glasgow, Scotland); University of Calgary (Canada); Irish Center for Human Rights (Galway); U.S. State Department (DC); Columbia University (NY); Middlebury College (VT); Xavier University (OH); Ohio State University; Ohio University; Vanderbilt University (TN); Villanova University (PA); University of Arkansas; Grand Valley State University (MI); American University (DC); Manhattan College (NY); George Washington University (DC) and many others around the world.
Selected Bibliography
(SEE PRESS FOR FULL LIST)
New York Times; Huffington Post; Voice of America Mandarin; Religion News Service, New York Observer; Brooklyn Rail, NY; AM-New York; NY Jewish Times; WAMU 88.5, DC. Washington Post; WPFW 89.3, DC; San Francisco Bay Guardian; Aktuel, Turkey; Cumhuriyet, Turkey; Publishers Weekly, NY; Yeni Safak, Turkey; WBEZ 91.5, IL; Alrai, Egypt; Sharq; Egypt; Manhattan Magazine, NY; Galway Bay FM 95.8, Ireland; Galway Advertiser, Ireland; Baltimore Sun, MD; Winston-Salem Journal, NC; The Detroiter, MI; Metro Times, MI; ABC, Spain; Correio da Manha, Portugal; Hoy, Spain; Christian Post, NY; Crain’s NY Business; Broadway World, NY; Metro-New York; NY Jewish Times; Tikkun Magazine, CA; Friends of al-Aqsa, England, Columbia Chronicle, IL; Washington Examiner, DC; Maryland Public Television; Frederick News Post, MD; Fayetteville Morning News, AR; Madison Courier, IN; Washington Jewish Week, MD; Greesnboro News-Record, NC; Winston-Salem Journal, NC; Style Weekly, VA; Detroit Jewish News; Sojourners Magazine, DC; National Public Radio “Talk of the Nation”, DC; La Nazione, Italy; Washington Times, DC.
Charity Fundraising with Paintings:
2008-present
Abrahamic Family Reunion Project, Big Sur, CA
2001-present
Amnesty International, NY
2016
Tsedek Children’s Charity, NY
2013
American Task Force on Palestine, Washington DC
2012
Hungry For Music, Washington DC
Arthritis Foundation, Washington DC
Habitat for Humanity, Washington DC
2011
Nueva Vida Foundation, Washington DC
2010
Arthritis Foundation, Washington DC
2009
Girls Gotta Run Foundation, Washington DC
National Center for Children and Families, MD
2008
Arthritis Foundation, Washington DC
Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, NY
2005
UNESCO Center for Peace, Frederick, MD
Empowering Women International, Alexandria, VA
National Center for Children and Families, Bethesda, MD
Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma, Baltimore, MD
2004
StandUp for Kids: Boston, Boston, MA
2003
Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, Washington DC
Palestinian Children’s Welfare Fund, Austin, TX
2000
Pine Street Inn Homeless Shelter, Boston, MA
1999
Bread for the City, Washington, DC
Selected Public and Corporate Collections:
Embassy of Columbia, Washington DC
Irish Centre for Human Rights, Galway, Ireland
Contemporary Art Museum, Montecatini, Italy
Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Montgomery County, MD
George Washington University, Washington DC
Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC
Xavier University, Office of Interfaith Community Engagement, OH
Hanover College, Hanover, IN
Portland Community College, Portland, OR
Washington Theological Union, Washington DC
Abrahamic Family Reunion Project, Kalamazoo, MI
HNTB Architecture, Washington DC
2M Street Redevelopment LLC, Washington DC
Anchor Appraisal Company, Boston, MA
Summit Art School, Gaithersburg, MD
Education:
Vassar College (1987), A.B. in English