At Wilkes’ Sordoni Art Gallery, the long-running Syrian Migrations Series exhibition is drawing to a close. Before it wraps, students and community members have the opportunity to attend some special gallery events. Migrations artist Helen Zughaib will have a micro-residency here from Thursday, Feb. 26, to Saturday, Feb. 28. Microresidencies are short-term programs that highlight a particular artist’s work.
The Beacon covered the Migrations show when it first opened back in October. This collection of 58 paintings chronicles the Syrian Civil War and its aftermath. The pieces focus on Syrian refugees and their experiences, both traumatic and hopeful. As a Lebanese American artist, Helen Zughaib cares deeply about Middle Eastern communities; her family fled Lebanon during its own civil war in 1975.
A recent News@Wilkes press release details the upcoming events. First, on Feb. 26 at noon, there will be an Art In Context panel discussion on the topic of immigration. Wilkes’ Dr. Andreea Maierean, an associate professor of political science, will moderate. The discussion will present “artistic, cultural and academic perspectives on migration, displacement and identity.” Later in the day, there will be a Cocktails & Culture event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is required; tickets are available at the Sordoni website. This event is supported by Diamond City Partnership, Wilkes Barre’s downtown revitalization program. Guests will enjoy “Mediterranean cuisine and live music.”
Finally, Feb. 28 will be the “last look” at the exhibit. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Zughaib will host an Artist Demo of her gouache painting techniques. Participants can follow along and make their own art. No experience with painting is needed. Local cafe The Burnt Norton will serve refreshments as well.
Gallery Director Heather Sincavage curated the Migrations exhibition with student curator Emily Romanoskey. Sincavage spoke about what students can expect when attending gallery events. “All of our events are free (except for Cocktails & Culture),” she said. “They are a low-pressure, casual way of appreciating art. We are hoping to connect people with art through their values and the things they care about.”
Sordoni has hosted micro-residencies in the past. For example, the gallery held a beading workshop in connection with its Ubuhle Women exhibition in 2024. As Sincavage describes it, the microresidency program is “a way for the gallery to engage with our community and provide a better understanding and appreciation for the artwork we show.”
She further notes the Migration series’ social relevance at this moment. In reference to the immigration panel discussion, Sincavige explained, “There are a lot of misconceptions about immigration, refugees, and migrants in our country, and I think it’s important to talk about it in an academic setting where people can walk away informed with facts.”