www.njartsnews.org...An ambitious 5-month project entitled "The Fertile Crescent: Gender, Art, and Society" features 24 women artists from 11 Middle Eastern nations: Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, and Nigeria. The massive program includes over 50 free events in New Brunswick, Princeton, and at the College of NJ./nArtists Negar Ahkami (American/Iranian), Zeina Barakeh (Lebanese/Palestian), and Ayana Friedman (Israeli) speak about their experiences in the cultural diaspora, challenging Western stereotypes and exploring issues of gender and homeland./nOrganized by Judith K. Brodsky and Ferris Olin, co-directors of the Institute for Women and Art at Rutgers, the Fertile Crescent project includes art exhibitions, lectures, symposia, film screenings and musical performances, and continues through mid-January. For more information, visit http://www.fertile-crescent.org

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