Montreal, March 13, 2013, 2012  — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), Solidarité Acadie-Palestine and Fredericton Palestine Solidarity are delighted to announce the launch of a new art exposition.  The exposition – entitled A Child’s View from Gaza – features art by children from Gaza and will soon be on exhibit in Moncton, Riverview and Fredericton. The exposition will be accessible to the public as follows:

• March 22 – April 2: Aberdeen Cultural Centre, 2^nd floor Art Gallery (140 Botsford Street, Moncton, E1C 4X4) with a launch reception Friday, March 22, 5 to 7 pm.
• April 5–17: St. Paul's UnitedChurch, 404 Cleveland Ave, Riverview, E1B 1Y2, with a launch reception April 5, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
• April 19–May 19: PennyGallery, Charlotte Street Arts Centre (732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, E3B 1M5), with a launch reception Friday, April 19, 5 to 7 pm.

CJPME and Solidarité Acadie-Palestine extend an invitation to journalists, political representatives, leaders of social and faith-based organizations, and the general public to the Moncton launch reception on March 22. The program will include two video shorts: Samouni Street (a video narrated by children and animated with their art) and Gaza, did you know? (an informational video from CJPME). If possible, please RSVP regarding the March 22 or April 5 receptions to [email protected] or at 438 380 5410 or Solidarité Acadie-Palestine, 506-858-9583. A similar programme will be offered in Riverview April 5 and Fredericton April 19. For details about hours of viewing at each venue, check the CJPME website.

A Child’s View from Gaza features 26 drawings by Gaza children 5 to 14 years of age. The exhibition offers a child’s perspective on the impact of Israel’s 2008-2009 offensive against Gaza. Each drawing is unique in its perspective and details. “The drawings in A Child’s View from Gaza reflect what the children have witnessed and their reactions to their experiences,” explains CJPME President Thomas Woodley. The drawings reveal that Gaza’s children, despite their tender ages, are acutely aware of the politics of their situation. Woodley adds, “The exhibit is all the more moving if we picture New Brunswick children drawing such scenes.  Each piece deepens our understanding of the lives of Palestinians living in Gaza, and the plight of all Palestinians, many of them refugees since 1949, and militarily occupied since 1967.”  The sponsors of the exhibition hope that Canadians will come away with a new sense of the difficulties experienced daily by Palestinians.

About CJPME – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is a non-profit and secular organization bringing together men and women of all backgrounds who labour to see justice and peace take root again in the Middle East. Its mission is to empower decision-makers to view all sides with fairness and to promote the equitable and sustainable development of the region.

For more information, please contact Patricia Jean, 438 380 5410
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East www.cjpme.org

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