Adult Programs/Events

NAAM is proud to offer a number of dynamic programs and activities to complement its opening exhibitions. In furtherance of its mission, NAAM has partnered with a rich collection of local community groups and cultural organizations to bring these programs to life. Please come and enjoy our guided tours, art demonstrations, lectures, and first-rate genealogy research center.

April 2008

April 12th STONE CARVING DEMONSTRATION: SABAH AL-DHAHER In partnership with Pratt Fine Arts Center, NAAM is pleased to present a stone carving demonstration by Sabah Al-Dhaher. Born in Nasriyah, Iraq, Al-Dhaher received his training in classical art at the Institute of Fine Arts in Basra, Iraq. Al-Dhaher fled Iraq in 1991 due to his involvement in a failed uprising against the regime of Saddam Hussein at the end of the first Gulf War. After spending 2 ½ years in a refugee camp in the desert of Saudi Arabia, he came to the United States as a political refugee in 1993. He now lives in Seattle. Al-Dhaher has taught stone carving at the annual International Stone Sculptor’s Symposium at Camp Brotherhood in Mt. Vernon, Washington since 1998, and taught at the California Sculpture Symposium in Ocean camp, California in 2006. He currently teaches stone carving at the Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. Al-Dhaher brings his classical training to his work. His interpretation of the natural potential waiting inside marble, granite, and bluestone reveals his artistic vigor. Contrasting highly polished areas with masses of roughly finished stone, he pulls supple forms from his material, allowing the natural texture and tones of the medium to suggest his subject’s life beneath the surface. Northwest African American Museum Artists’ Workroom 12:00pm - 3:00pm Free with Museum admission ($6 adults /$4 Students/Seniors) PACCAR MULTIMEDIA LEARNING CENTER The PACCAR Multimedia Learning Center provides a comfortable, functional space for community members, scholars and students to explore topics and issues related to the history, art and culture of African Americans in the Pacific Northwest. The Center includes a casual seating area where visitors can enjoy the books, magazines, journals, dissertations, newspapers and research papers that compose the Center’s small library. In partnership with the Black Genealogy Research Group of Washington and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Museum is also excited to provide a genealogy research area within the Learning Center. Community members have the opportunity to conduct extensive research on their own family histories with the help of knowledgeable volunteers and access to various research databases (including Ancestory.com). GUIDED TOURS Docent-led tours of the Museum’s exhibitions are offered Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Let our knowledgeable guides take you on an interactive tour through the Museum’s galleries where you will explore and discuss the art, history and culture of African Americans in the Northwest. Organized groups of 10 or more members must contact the Museum in advance to schedule a tour. Saturdays / 12:00pm and 2:00pm Sundays / 12:00pm and 2:00pm Free with Museum admission ($6 adults /$4 Students/Seniors) THE GRIOT / E-NEWSLETTER The Griot is a quarterly e-newsletter produced by the Northwest African American Museum. It is great way to keep the community aware of NAAM projects, events, news and upcoming events. Your e-mail address will be kept confidential and will only be used for e-newsletter mailings. To subscribe, please send an e-mail to info@naamnw.org