Maple Grove Arts Center opens "Iraq: Understanding Through Art"

A new art show called "Iraq: Understanding Through Art," opened Friday, May 20 at the . The visiting show, featuring the work of Iraqi artists, aims to bring Iraqi and American citizens together "in dialogue on the effects of the Iraq War."

The opening day of the show not only brought together local artists but extended beyond Maple Grove’s boundaries with the partnership with the Arts Center and the Iraqi Reconciliation Project (IARP), who provided the collection of paintings for the showing. According to Program Curator Tricia Khutoretsky, the "artwork is offered by this organization to foster peace and greater understanding between our countries.” 

The show has already traveled to art venues statewide, such as the Lanesboro Arts Center  and the University of Minnesota. It is the first time IARP has shown artwork in Maple Grove. No matter where the showing is displayed, Khutoretsky indicated the reaction has always been the same.

“People love it,” she said, stating individuals attending the show sometimes have, “preconceptions, but as soon as they see the art work they immediately relate to it.”  

Painting after painting at the Maple Grove Arts Center show Iraqi people living their lives not just in a war-torn country, but in a similar fashion to families everywhere.

"The commonality of life that is inherent to all human beings," IARP Board Member Al Nettles said.  “We all do the same stuff.” 

“In many cases, the artist utilizes symbols and codes throughout the various layers-upon-layer of richly colored paint to tell their very personal story,” Nettles and Khutoretsky commented.

The vibrant colors of the artwork especially spoke to Lyn LaCoursiere, volunteer and Night Writer, who said it was "exciting to see so much talent represented in Maple Grove by local artists and artists around the world."

The art show opening not only offered a variety of art, including that of watercolorist Leanne Hansen, but an evening of harp and acoustic guitar music by Laura Stack and Judd Knuss and a spoken word story told by John Stanton from the Night Writers. Food was catered by J.Cousineaus.

The opening reception included a personal greeting by Lorrie Link, Executive Director of the Maple Grove Arts Center. Link has been involved in the arts for more than 30 years and works along with a creative team to recognize the local artists and to bring together a community of sharing and creativity.

“The Arts Center is a nice arena to view different forms of art and to give artists an opportunity to express themselves," Maple Grove volunteer Peter Enck said.

The visiting art show, "Iraq: Understanding Through Art", runs through July 8.