Sanctuary United Church of Christ presents a reception and reflection with Thaer Abdallah, whose work will be displayed at the Sanctuary Garllery throughout September.

Thaer’s personal biography: “I am Palestinian from Iraq. I grew up in Baghdad. My people have lived in Iraq for 60 years, but have neither citizenship nor freedom. Since 2003, they have been attacked by various militias and have suffered kidnapping, torture, imprisonment and assassination. I am a human rights worker and torture survivor. I left Iraq in 2005 and fled as a refugee to Syria. I created many paintings in the refugee camp. Eventually, the secret police imprisoned me and deported me back to Iraq. I fled again, and finally arrived in the U.S. in April 2008, to begin a new life.

“I have painted and drawn since I was a child, when I discovered that art was a world so much larger than the one room which I shared with my parents and 10 siblings. I drew on everything – the walls, the door – to my mother’s chagrin! Today, I use art to express the pain and also the strength of my community in Baghdad and of those scattered as refugees in many corners of the world. I also paint scenes of nature and people interacting with nature. Life does not stop, and it is still beautiful.”

Hear from Thaer about his inspiration and process – and join the conversation about your own experience of their creativity.

BYOB: Bring your own beer, wine or soda.

The Sanctuary Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and by appointment.