Renowned Egyptian artist and activist to speak at Flagler College

Related Media

Mohamed Abla

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (03/28/2014)(readMedia)-- Internationally renowned Egyptian artist and activist Mohamed Abla will visit Flagler College on April 14. Abla, considered Egypt's leading contemporary artist, will talk on "The Role of Art in the Egyptian Revolution."

Abla is the founder and director of the acclaimed Fayoum Art Center, whose Winter Academy brings together artists from around the world to demonstrate the harmonious nature of art in a region of conflict. He is also the founder of the Museum of Caricature in Egypt.

A globally respected activist for freedom, democracy, and human rights in Egypt, Abla played an integral part in the "Egyptian Revolution" and in the ongoing demonstrations since then through his involvement in public art. As a result, Egypt's interim President and military leadership appointed him to the 50-member Drafting Committee for the new constitution, representing all artists in Egypt.

"When many in our world today, including in my own country, directly or indirectly encourage sectarian tension, it is all the more critical that 'creative demonstrations of dialogue' be created. Egypt, which has had many challenges over the last two and a half years, has learned a lot about how the arts can bring people together, and promote unity and a message of peace, even in the midst of a revolution," said Abla. "I look forward to being in St. Augustine and sharing with those I meet there what we have learned in Egypt, and what we are continuing to learn about living without division and with respect and love the 'other.'"

Abla's lecture is free and open to the public and will take place at 7 p.m. on April 14 in the Flagler Room of Ponce Hall, 74 King St., St. Augustine, Fla. Abla's visit is being co-sponsored by the St. Augustine Initiative for Compassion.

In addition to the lecture, there will be also be an interactive, public art project entitled "Seeing One's Self in Others," facilitated by Abla, held in conjunction with the Lincolnville Farmer's Market at Eddie Vickers Park, 399 S. Riberia St., on April 13 from noon to 2:30 p.m.

___

Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 29 majors, 34 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. A Flagler education is less than half the cost of similar private colleges, and competitive with many state universities. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for its historic beauty. The centerpiece of the campus is the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a grand resort built in 1888 by Henry M. Flagler, industrialist, railroad pioneer and co-founder of Standard Oil. The Ponce has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.