Last night and tonight at the Arta Gallery in the Distillery District there is an exhibit and silent auction of work by artist Jennifer Awad. The money raised goes $1 for $1 to be distributed amongst families that have been impacted by the violence in Afghanistan including the families of the Canadian troops killed in Afghanistan.

Last night’s words and short screening of a clip of “Freedom Fighter” made for subject matter that is hard to swallow but as Jennifer spoke as to her reasons why she painted this collection of work she shared a reflection that Mixed Bag Mag keeps hearing from others. Jennifer feels that Canada offers a place where people can come to heal. Mixed Bag Mag agrees! With a society that is open to new voices and new ideas we can progress towards deep transformation.

And this just may be our best export –  the ‘Canadian attitude’ that goes beyond “tolerance” to actual celebration of each other’s stories, layered histories, and multiple motherlands!

ARTA GALLERY Tonight @ 7:30 pm
The Distillery District
55 Mill Street #102
M5A 3C4

Honourable Mention! Thanks to Twin Fish catering for providing THE BEST SPRING ROLLS & Sabine Ndalambe for being a smooth operator on guitar!

Follow Jennifer on twitter @jenniferawad
More information on One Free World on their website www.onefreeworldinternational.org
Follow “Freedom Fighter” Majed El Shafie on facebook  and twitter @MajedElShafie

WANT TO HELP? You can make a donation to One Free World here!

Photography by Leah Snyder for Mixed Bag Mag.