“Families of Abraham” Photography Exhibition
Opens at Visual Arts Center of Richmond
Nearly half of humanity – Jews, Christians, and Muslims – claim the same spiritual ancestor, Abraham. The Families of Abraham exhibition invites visitors to explore what these faiths have in common through a photographic narrative.
Judaism, Christianity and Islam are sometimes referred to as the “Abrahamic religions” because of the role Abraham plays in their holy books and beliefs. Today three billion people – half the world’s population – call him father, patriarch, spiritual ancestor. While modern Judaism, Christianity and Islam share Abraham’s faith in one God and many ethical teachings, each religion speaks in its own distinctive voice.
Led by project director and curator Eleanor Brawley, a team of eight North Carolina photographers followed eleven different Jewish, Christian and Muslim families from the Charlotte area for a year, documenting daily life and faith practices. They captured Holy Days across the three religions, as well as family milestones and moments from the families’ everyday lives. Families of Abraham opened at the Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte, N.C., in 2006 and has since continued on a national tour. The Visual Arts Center of Richmond will be the exhibition’s ninth venue.
An opening reception for the public will be held on September 23 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. with light refreshments and remarks from Mayor Dwight C. Jones and students representing all three Abrahamic faiths. Parking is available in the rear lot behind the Visual Arts Center and in the parking lot behind Binford Middle School between Floyd and Main on Allen Street.
The exhibit will be on display until Nov. 21, 2012. Regular open hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday 10:00AM – 4:00 PM and Sunday, 1:00 PM – 4:00PM. The address for the Visual Arts Center of Richmond is 1812 West Main Street, Richmond, V.A. 23220. Groups requesting tours should contact Caroline Wright, Director of Exhibition Programming, at 804.353.0094×217 tel:804.353.0094×217 or carolinewright@visarts.org. For more information on the exhibition, visit visarts.org/exhibitions/upcoming .
Families of Abraham is presented in Richmond with generous support from Weinstein Properties, in partnership with Congregation Beth Ahabah, The Islamic Center of Virginia, St. James’s Episcopal Church, Second Presbyterian Church, Union Presbyterian Seminary, University of Richmond, The Virginia Holocaust Museum, The Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs, and the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.
FAMILIES OF ABRAHAM EXHIBTION
RELATED PROGRAMMING:
free and open to the public
Sunday, September 23, 3:00 – 5:00PM
Opening reception and celebration with Mayor Dwight Jones and student speakers
Friday, October 5, 6:00 – 8:00PM
First Friday docent-led tours
Sunday, October 7, 12:30 – 2:00PM
Open House Tours of Congregation Beth Ahabah and St James’s Episcopal Church
Sunday, October 21, 3:00 – 6:00PM
Open House Tour of the Islamic Center of Virginia
Friday, November 2, 6:00 – 8:00PM
First Friday docent-led tours
Sunday, November 4, 3:00 – 5:00PM
FORUM: conversations about life, traditions, and residing in Richmond within these three Abrahamic faith communities
Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 West Main Street
Richmond, VA 23220
804.353.0094 tel:804.353.0094
visarts.org
