Afghanistan discussion series kicks off at SJIMA on Aug. 3

SJIMA shares a look at their Looking Inside Afghanistan discussion series.

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art announces a discussion series beginning on August 3. The talks will provide opportunities to learn about the culture of Afghanistan, Islam, advocacy for women and children, and James Longley’s personal stories of everyday life — all leading to a better understanding of this ancient and troubled region.

Join us this coming week on Wednesday, Aug. 3, for Call of the Minaret: Islam in Afghanistan, featuring a discussion with Rebecca Moore, Ph.D., of how Islamic faith has shaped and influenced the culture of Afghanistan. Moore is an Emerita Professor of Religious Studies at San Diego State University. She has lectured and published on Jewish and Christian relations in a variety of venues. Her book Jews and Christians in the Life and Thought of Hugh of St. Victor focused on the medieval Christian debt to Jewish biblical commentaries. Her body of work consists of a myriad of professional presentations, books, articles and a multitude of community lectures and talks.

Moore’s talk will take place at SJIMA, 540 Spring Street, at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and admission is pay-what-you-can. This event is graciously sponsored by RaVae Luckhart and Jack Rice, Rob Ray, and the Town of Friday Harbor.

All of the events supplement and expand our understanding of Afghanistan life viewed in the James Longley exhibition Looking Into Kabul, at SJIMA until Sept. 12. Other discussions in the series include:

The Life of My Choice: 21 Years in Kabul
Marnie Gustavson is a tireless activist for women and children. She is Executive Director of PARSA, an NGO building healthy Afghan communities. This talk will be held at SJIMA on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. It is sponsored by RaVae Luckhart and Jack Rice, Rob Ray, and the Town of Friday Harbor.

Personal Stories of Everyday Life
James Longley, photographer and award-winning filmmaker, speaks to his years immersed in the daily life of old city Kabul. His exhibit at SJIMA combines vast panoramic images with portraits and film focusing on everyday life. This presentation will be on August 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Orcas Center in Eastsound. It is sponsored by the Orcas Island Community Foundation.

Paths to Understanding: Afghanistan
Rev. Terry Kyllo will be featured in dialog with James Longley on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at the San Juan Community Theatre. Terry is a Lutheran pastor and Executive Director of Paths to Understanding, a multi-faith peacemaking organization. James is Friday Harbor’s Oscar-nominated filmmaker and photographer. His exhibit Looking into Kabul at SJIMA combines vast panoramic images with portraits and film focusing on everyday life in Kabul’s old city. SJIMA thanks the sponsors of this presentation, RaVae Luckhart and Jack Rice, Rob Ray, and the Town of Friday Harbor.

These presentations require no reservations and are pay-what-you-can.

Also exhibiting until September 12 is Lattice II, a soaring sculptural installation combining glass, bronze, steel, wood and fiber. Museum hours are Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extra summer hours of Thursday through Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.

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