Syrian Ladies' Aid Society. Courtesy of the Arab American National Museum Collection. Gift of Evelyn Shakir.
Pao Arts Center is proud to kick off the traveling exhibit, Arab Massachusetts: Building Community in the Commonwealth, presented by the Arab American National Museum (AANM). In the 1880s, immigrants from Syria and Lebanon began settling around Boston’s Chinatown. On Hudson Street, the site of Pao Arts Center, Arab and Chinese immigrants lived side-by-side, making this launch historically significant.
This groundbreaking initiative will shed light on the vibrant stories of Arab American communities in the state from the late 19th century until the present day. Informed by both meticulous archival research and input from Arab Americans residing in Massachusetts, the exhibit and accompanying programming will be the first of its kind. Until now, these narratives have remained relegated to individual family histories or the confines of institutional records. In a time of rising xenophobia and nativism in this country, it is more urgent than ever to preserve these stories.
After Pao Arts Center, the exhibit will travel to Quincy, Lawrence, and Worcester and will feature narratives from both historic and current Arab American communities in each of these locations.
Related Programming
Little Syria Tour
Saturday, November 22 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Expand your understanding of the exhibit through a guided walking tour from Chinatown to the South End with scholar, curator, and co-founding member of the Boston Little Syria Project, Lydia Harrington.
Arab Massachusetts: Building Community in the Commonwealth Celebration
Saturday, December 6 | 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Drop in for a family-friendly day filled with interactive activities and performances.
About the Partner
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is the first and only museum of its kind in the United States devoted to recording the Arab American experience. It serves as a touchstone that connects communities to Arab American culture and experiences. Since opening in 2005, AANM’s goal has been to document, preserve and present the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. Exhibitions cover the Arab world and the history of Arab Americans from the first immigrants who arrived in the late 19th century to today. It offers safe spaces for open dialogue and community gatherings and provide educational opportunities for children and students of all ages to expand their knowledge and appreciation of Arab American history and culture. They work with established and emerging artists of all artistic mediums to uplift their work and share it with our regional and national audiences. All of this is intended to build community through the arts by showcasing our nation’s cultural diversity in thoughtful and impacting ways.
Exhibit Underwriters
Exhibit Sponsors
Patron
Dr. John I. Makhoul
Steward
Jeff Boshar
Ambassador
Cedar’s Foods
Drs. Ghaleb and Rima Daouk
SmithGroup