Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture

Join us for a screening of of the Palestinian filmmaker and visual artist Kamal Aljafari’s acclaimed film Port of Memory (2009).Set in the historic neighborhood of Ajami in Jaffa, Port of Memory is an evocative, quietly powerful meditation on memory, belonging, and displacement.Following an eviction order served to his family home, filmmaker Kamal Aljafari captures the rhythms of daily life in a shrinking Palestinian community navigating gentrification and historical erasure. Blending docu-fiction, still portraits, and archival reflections, the film portrays the surreal tension of living under constant threat of dispossession—where repetitive, everyday gestures become acts of enduring steadfastness (sumud).Accessibility: located

Al-Bustan invites you to Finjan fil-Bustan, a vibrant evening of games & community Iraqi Cultural Afternoon & Poetry with Faleeha HassanCelebrate Iraqi culture, cuisine, and literature at our Special Edition of Finjan! Drop in during the afternoon for traditional Iraqi food, warm drinks, and community socializing, followed by an evening bilingual poetry reading and book signing with acclaimed Iraqi poet Faleeha Hassan.

A space for us, by us. we invite our Palestinian community to a dedicated Tatreez workshop led by JOHARA.

Winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, an edge-of-your-seat crime thriller exploring power, corruption, and justice in Cairo.

A space for us, by us. we invite our Palestinian community to a dedicated Tatreez workshop led by JOHARA.

"Sleepless Nights" follows the parallel, deeply moving journeys of two individuals bound by the ghosts of the Lebanese Civil War.

A space for us, by us. we invite our Palestinian community to a dedicated Tatreez workshop led by JOHARA.

Join Alia Bensliman for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to mix beautiful mineral pigments into handmade watercolor paints.Explore the fascinating world of traditionalpaintmaking while discovering the history, science, and sustainability behind the materials artistshave used for centuries.Participants will:■ Mix their own watercolor paints■ Experiment with color, texture■ Create a small artwork using their handmade paints■ Learn recipes and techniques to continue paintmaking at homeEach participant will leave with:■ Handmade watercolor paints■ Paintmaking instructions and recipes■ A finished artworkWhether you’re an artist, educator, or simply curious about the creative process, this workshopoffers a unique opportunity to experience art from

This is a warm, welcoming, and creative session designed to foster healing, connection, and self-expression within the immigrant community.

Alia Bensliman is giving a lecture on her most recent series of paintings at Al-Bustan Gallery.

Alia Bensliman exhibits her most recent series of paintings at Al-Bustan Gallery.Alia BenslimanDaughters of the Atlas: Woven Amazigh StoriesOpening Reception @ Al-Bustan Gallery6pm - 8pm

A 4-Part Storytelling Master Class: Over four intensive sessions, join award-winning author Susan Darraj setting your stories free!Your history is a masterpiece waiting to be written. Learn the craft to finally set your stories free.Schedule: Four Consecutive Tuesdays (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM)UPDATED• Week 1 (April 21): The Foundation * Focus: Brainstorming family stories; the "Scene" as the core unit.• Week 2 (April 28): The Architecture * Focus: Outlining, character, and dialogue.• Week 3 (May 5): The Texture * Focus: Detail, setting, and theme/ how to finish a first draft.• Week 4 (May 12): The Release * Focus: Revision and

"A Journey Through Expression" showcases the extraordinary talent of students from John Moffet and Louis Farrell Schools.

Our Calligraphy Workshop invites you to slow down and rediscover the rhythmic beauty of handwritten expression.

Our Illumination Workshop invites you to explore the radiant art of Islamic Illumination with AYSE TUNC

Meryem Osmanlioglu and Ayse Tunc showcase Arabic calligraphy and Islamic illumination, creating a unified visual language.As an extension of event of our amazing "Between Line & Light" exhibition which brings together the beautiful artwork of Meryem Osmanlioglu and Ayse Tunc, showcasing Arabic calligraphy and Islamic illumination, creating a unified visual language rooted in devotion, discipline, and tradition. Meryem will be giving a lecture about calligraphy while sharing Iftar with you.Join us!

Showcase of artworks by Master Calligrapher Meryem Osmanlioglu and Tazhib Master Ayse Tunc

Hasan Hadi's film won the Camera D'Or and Audience Award at 2025's Cannes Film Festival.

Explore the rich history and cultural significance of Tatreez, the traditional Palestinian embroidery in this workshop.In this workshop, we will explore the rich history and cultural significance of Tatreez, the traditional Palestinian embroidery. Participants will learn about the origins of this art form, the different techniques used, and the symbolism behind motifs and patterns. We will learn about thobes from different Palestinian cities, understanding how each region’s style is unique and represents its local heritage. Then, each participant will have the chance to practice Tatreez techniques and create their own piece of art, Either a framed design or bookmark.  Class run time: 2

Join us for the closing reception of Stories My Father Told Me, featuring artist and author Helen Zughaib.Join us for the closing reception of Stories My Father Told Me, featuring artist and author Helen Zughaib. This special evening will celebrate the exhibition’s final day and the release of Zughaib’s accompanying book, which brings her vibrant gouache and ink paintings to life alongside the stories her father shared about his youth in Damascus, village life in Lebanon in the 1930s, and his journey to America after World War II.Helen will be present to discuss her work, share insights into her creative

Join Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture via Zoom to celebrate the winners of the 2025 Naomi Shihab Nye Prize.Join Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture (located at 310 W Master St) on January 6th, 2026 at 12 PM via Zoom to celebrate the winners of the 2025 Naomi Shihab Nye Prize, honoring Arab American and Arab Canadian voices in middle-grade fiction!Our First Place winner, Salam Zahr, will share from The Serious Life of Talia Khalil, and Second Place winner, Rym Tina Hickey, will read from Haunted. The event will also feature a special reading by Naomi Shihab Nye herself, the renowned poet for

Join us for Al-Bustan’s 2nd Annual Souk on Sunday, December 20th, from 12-4pm.Join us for Al-Bustan’s 2nd annual Holiday Souk on Sunday, December 20th, from 12-4pm. This will be the perfect opportunity to get your holiday gifts from local artists and makers!A souk is a traditional market or bazaar commonly found in Middle Eastern and North African countries. Souks are often lively markets where vendors sell a wide range of goods, including textiles, spices, jewelry, handcrafted goods, food, and other items. These markets are central to cultural and social life, providing not only a place for shopping but also a

Join us for Al-Bustan’s 2nd Annual Holiday Souk on Sunday, December 14th, from 12-4pm. This will be the perfect opportunity to get your holiday gifts from local artists and makers! A souk is a traditional market or bazaar commonly found in Middle Eastern and North African countries. Souks are often lively markets where vendors sell a wide range of goods, including textiles, spices, jewelry, handcrafted goods, food, and other items. These markets are central to cultural and social life, providing not only a place for shopping but also a hub for community interaction and cultural exchange. Al-Bustan is so excited

Join us on Thursday, December 11 at 7 PM for a screening of Love Sick in the West Bank & Coyotes, the acclaimed 20-minute short film recently awarded Best Short at the BFI Film Festival. About Love Sick in the West Bank A Palestinian family hosts a young American tourist after a simple misunderstanding. But as chaos unfolds in their village, it doesn't take too long for them to become part of the absurd mayhem that immediately ensues. About Coyotes Set on a desolate night in the occupied West Bank, Coyotes follows young surgeon Lubna as an unexpected breakdown on

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture Gallery is pleased to present Stories My Father Told Me, a solo exhibition by renowned artist Helen Zughaib. The exhibition opens Thursday, November 13th, from 6–9 PM at Al-Bustan’s gallery, located at 310 W Master St, Philadelphia PA. Through 25 paintings, Zughaib brings a vivid world alive—a world derived from the stories that her father would relay to her and her siblings while growing up in Lebanon. Though rooted in her specific familial experience, the exhibition speaks to something universal: the enduring power of storytelling to bridge generations and preserve identity. Each painting invites viewers to

Join Al-Bustan for a community gathering of live music and togetherness. The Árabe Mahrajan is built around the album release and live performance of Amanda Ekery and her touring musicians. Ekery is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer with roots in Syria and Mexico, her work explores the shared history and culture of her heritage. Árabe contains original songs and accompanying essays written by Amanda with the stories and history behind each track, covering everything from food, gambling, and evil eyes to immigration law, biracial identity, and the fraught relationship between immigrant entrepreneurship and workers’ rights. Joining us for the Songwriting

Join vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Amanda Ekery and her band for a songwriting workshop! This songwriting workshop will focus on using research and personal history to write music using techniques Ekery used to write Árabe, her new album. Árabe is about Syrian and Mexican shared culture and history, and covers everything from food, gambling, and evil eyes, to immigration law, biracial identity, and the fraught relationship between immigrant entrepreneurship and workers’ rights. Participants will leave the workshop with a short song they have created, along with tools and tips to continue songwriting. Tickets are $30 and include complimentary admission to

Join us at Al-Bustan Gallery for the opening reception of “Digital Sanctuaries” by Rayan Elnayal. Rayan is a Sudanese artist, designer, and educator that combines her research and architectural background to imagine futuristic spaces deeply rooted in Sudan and its diaspora. Her work serves as a speculative exploration of futuristic and fictional spaces that embrace our cultural heritages and resist harmful Euro-centric design principles.