Exhibition of Rwandese Children’s artwork at NEXUS July 10, 2008

As part of the Summer Community Arts Series, NEXUS/foundation for today’s art is pleased to present Remembering the Past, Embracing the Future a collection of photographs, paintings, and handcrafts displaying a record of the past, an account of the present, and a glimpse into the future of Rwanda and her people. This unique exhibit features an artistic collaboration between Rwandese children from Rugerero Survivors Village, Rwandese handcrafter, Patrick Sentama, and Jefferson Medical students, Komal Soin, Karen Connolly, Jennifer Heckman, and Dana Johns. Remembering the Past, Embracing the Future opens Thursday July 10 with a reception from 6 to 9 PM.

In 1994, during a period of only 100 days, approximately one million Tutsi and moderate Hutu sympathizers were killed in Rwanda. Carried out mostly by extremist Hutu militia groups, this genocide is the largest organized killing of human beings in the shortest period of time in modern history. Almost 14 years later, this once decimated and broken country is beginning to bloom again. The scars of the past will never fade, but the people of Rwanda have shown that the strength and perseverance of the human spirit can resurrect a nation. Even through the thickest scars, her beauty shines through.

The Rwanda Health and Healing Project at Jefferson Medical College was begun through the work of a Philadelphia NGO entitled, Barefoot Artists. The goal of the project is to improve the overall health and well-being of the villagers through grassroots education and initiatives to better their nutrition and access to clean water. The Jefferson Medical students involved are also hoping to set-up a partnership / exchange program with Rwandese medical students, so as to allow those students to receive extra training in the United States while Jefferson students participate in clinical clerkships in the Rwandese Medical School Hospital in Butare, Rwanda.

NEXUS Summer Community Arts Series is a program of exhibitions taking place annually during the months of July and August. This special programming provides professional gallery space to community art programs, which in turn brings focus to their mission, adds value to their programs and enriches the experience of their participants.

Official Website: http://www.nexusphiladelphia.org