With performances by renowned Palestinian oud master Najib Shaheen and the Qantara ensemble -- and invited guest speakers Edward Said, Phil Donohue & Marlo Thomas

More than 50 established and emerging artists of Palestinian origin will be featured in a unique, four-week international exhibition running November 2-23 at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The multimedia exhibition, entitled Williamsburg Bridges Palestine - The Face of Palestinian Humanity Through Art and Culture, will encompass a wide variety of artistic mediums including painting, drawing, photography, video and film installations, calligraphy, henna application, dance, music, and poetry.

The concept underlying this very special exhibition, according to the organizers, is to provide a forum where viewers can understand and appreciate the powerful and diverse expressions of Palestinian culture and heritage, and to reveal the human face of a people whose identity, experience, and public image have been nearly destroyed by continuing conflict in the Middle East and intense media focus on international terrorism.

Doors will open to the public Saturday, November 2 at 12:00 noon. A gala/opening reception from 5:00-8:00 P.M. will feature oud master Najib Shaheen and the Qantara ensemble, and keynote speakers Edward Said of Columbia University, Phil Donohue, and Marlo Thomas.

The three-week exhibition will close Saturday, November 23 with a 'White Night Gala' featuring the music of Najib Shaheen, dance performances, and a fashion show from 8:00-11:00 P.M. A series of linked cultural events will take place every weekend during the exhibition.

The exhibition is presented by the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in collaboration with Al Jisser (The Bridge), a New York-based organization dedicated to the promotion of Arab arts and culture, and The Arab American Media Center (AAMC), which works to ensure fair and accurate portrayals of political, economic, and social issues relating to Arabs and Arab-Americans. Co-sponsors include Al Awda, the Arab Women?s Solidarity Association (AWSA), and the Network of Arab-American Alumni and Professionals of New York (NAAP).

For a full exhibition and events schedule, and for directions to the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, please visit http://www.aljisser.org or call (718) 486-7372 or (718) 486-6012.