Art's Doing Well as Path to Interfaith Dialogue in Philadelphia

JEWISH EXPONENT
By Mordechai Shinefield

In 2003, the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society on Germantown Avenue asked
Joe Brenman to participate in creating a mural titled, "Doorways to Peace."

PENNSYVALNIA - Ten years ago, Cathleen Cohen began calling artists in the Philadelphia community with the idea of using poetry and the arts to begin a dialogue with local Muslim and Christian communities. Her particular project would be called "We the Poets," but the nonprofit organization in which it found a home was the group known as ArtWell, an arts program for Philadelphia youth. Cohen was one of several artists honored last week at a celebration of ArtWell's 10th anniversary. The event at Moore College of Art and Design drew several hundred sponsors, friends and artists.  "There's a lot of reflection and deep listening both to yourself and others. Also, it's a lot of fun," said Cohen, who also paints and whose work was recently showcased at SOHO20 Chelsea, a gallery in Manhattan. [link]