Art Exhibition Focuses on Community Connections

The next Symposium Against Indifference program will feature two art exhibitions co-sponsored by the Ashland University’s Coburn Gallery.  The exhibitions titled “Strength through Connection” and "Thy Neighbor" will run from Oct. 26 to Nov. 17. An opening reception, which is free and open to the public, is planned for Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Featuring a selection of works by animation artist Tracy Miller-Robbins and graphic designer Jonathan Frey, "Strength through Connection" addresses building a better understanding of our diverse community through race, class and religion. Complimenting the theme of community and connections, “Thy Neighbor” is an international mail art show that focuses on the connection through our neighbors and encourages more active engagement within our communities.

Exhibiting artist Miller-Robbins creates animated drawings about interpersonal experiences. Influenced by Ben Shahn and Caroline Leaf, her works strive to capture this essence through both gestural marks and figurative gesture. The expression and limited palettes of her work results in pointed thematic motifs that are embedded in seemingly abstract forms. The works, which merge the practices of sketching and animation, have been nationally and internationally presented in festivals and galleries.

Frey is an artist and designer who currently resides in central Pennsylvania. His work broadly explores the influence of ideology on contemporary culture. By evaluating the significance of the grid within in the context of architecture and game structures, Frey is able to consider issues of connection and disconnection that occur within local and global communities. He also explores the potential of graphic design to be used as a medium for public awareness and social critic.

For more about the “Strength through Connection” exhibition or events at the Coburn Gallery, visit www.ashland.edu/coburngallery or find us on Facebook. The Coburn Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 noon to 4 p.m. Saturday/Sunday.

Jamal Rahman & Interfaith Dialogue, Oct. 4

Popular Islam, Sufi spirituality and interfaith relations speaker Jamal Rahman will present a lecture titled “Dialogue, Practices & Laughter in Challenging Times” on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Ashland University’s Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium.

In these times of anger, fear and separation, Rahman will talk about the six stages of Interfaith dialogue to help people move beyond polarization, share practices to open the heart and use humor to convey inconvenient truths about ourselves.

He will be joined by area faith leaders including retired Rabbi Michael A. Oppenheimer (Cleveland) and Rev. Joe L. Ashby of Grace Episcopal Church (Mansfield).

The lecture is an event in the Ashland University College of Arts and Sciences’ biennial Symposium Against Indifference. The theme for this year’s series is “Building Bridges Through Dialogue.” Rahman’s visit is co-sponsored by the Ashland Center for Nonviolence, which also has arranged for him to lead a workshop titled “Inviting the Stranger” on Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. in the Eagles’ Landing at the Student Center. Both events are free and open to the public.

Rahman’s passion lies in interfaith community building. He remains rooted in his Islamic tradition and cultivates a “spaciousness” by being open to the beauty and wisdom of other faiths. By authentically and appreciatively understanding other paths, Rahman feels that he becomes a better Muslim. This spaciousness is not about conversion but about completion. 

Along with his Interfaith Amigos (Rabbi Ted Falcon and Pastor Don Mackenzie), Rahman has been featured in the New York Times, CBS News, BBC, and various NPR programs. Rahman is co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. He is a former co-host of Interfaith Talk Radio and travels nationally and internationally, presenting at retreats and workshops.