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The American University of Paris engaged in a vast community art project this spring with artist Lori Shocket and , a remarkable association that provides socio-educative and psychological support to displaced Syrians in France. The project resulted in a powerful exhibition which is currently on display in the Fine Arts Gallery in Â̾ÞÈËÊÓƵ's Combes building.

Under the guidance of Lori and Neil Shocket, we invited Syrian refugees and volunteers to paint their individual stories, hopes and messages of peace within the framework of  Souria Houria worked hand in hand with our student club Baytna à Vous, the Fine Arts Department, and Â̾ÞÈËÊÓƵ’s Student Leadership Office to organize art workshops throughout the semester. Two other associations, Revivre and Alwane, joined us along the way to contribute to our collective work.ÌýThe George and Irina Schaeffer Center for the Study of Genocide, Human Rights and Conflict Prevention generously sponsored this project.Ìý

The Exhibition

All of these paintings were assembled and curated into both an exhibition, which is currently on display in our Fine Arts Gallery, as well as a beautiful book entitled Syria: Drawing an Uncertain Future.Ìý

Purchase the book

You can . Books can be collected at the May 20 gallery opening, the graduation ceremony, or at the Student Leadership Office directly. Contact student_leadershipaup.edu for more information. All proceeds from the sales of the book will go to CODSSY and Najoon, humanitarian organizations that support the Syrian community.