New discussion series coming to SJIMA: Looking inside Afghanistan

||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART |||

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) announces a very special discussion series beginning on August 3. The talks will provide opportunities to learn about the culture of Afghanistan, Islam, advocacy for women and children and James Longley’s personal stories of everyday life, all leading to a better understanding of this ancient and troubled region.

Rebecca Moore, Ph.D.

Join us this coming week on Wednesday, August 3, for Call of the Minaret:  Islam in Afghanistan featuring a discussion with Rebecca Moore, Ph.D. of how Islamic faith has shaped and influenced the culture of Afghanistan. Moore is an Emerita Professor of Religious Studies at San Diego State University. She has lectured and published on Jewish and Christian relations in a variety of venues. Her book Jews and Christians in the Life and Thought of Hugh of St. Victor focused on the medieval Christian debt to Jewish biblical commentaries.

Her publications include Peoples Temple and Jonestown in the Twenty-First Century. (Cambridge University Press, 2022), “A Blessing to Each Other”: A New Account of Jewish and Christian Relations, 2021, and Voices of Christianity: A Global Introduction, 2nd edition, 2018.

She is currently a Co-Editor of Elements in New Religious Movements, published by Cambridge University Press. Her body of work consists of a myriad of professional presentations, books, articles and a multitude of community lectures and talks.

Moore’s talk will take place at SJIMA at 540 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA at 7 pm. Light refreshments will be served and admission is Pay As You Can. This event is graciously sponsored by RaVae Luckhart and Jack Rice, Rob Ray and the Town of Friday Harbor.

All of the events supplement and expand our understanding of Afghanistan life viewed in the James Longley exhibition, LOOKING INTO KABUL at SJIMA until September 12.

Other discussions in the series include:
The Life of My Choice: 21 Years in Kabul 
Marnie Gustavson is a tireless activist for women and children. This talk will be held at SJIMA on August 17 starting at 7 pm. She is Executive Director of PARSA, an NGO building Healthy Afghan Communities. This event is sponsored by RaVae Luckhart and Jack Rice, Rob Ray and the Town of Friday Harbor.

Personal Stories of Everyday Life by James Longley
What is it like to live in Afghanistan? James Longley, photographer and award-winning filmmaker, speaks to his years immersed in the daily life of old city Kabul.  His exhibit at SJIMA combines vast panoramic images with portraits and film focusing on everyday life. This presentation will be on August 28, 5-7 at the Orcas Center in Eastsound, Orcas Island. It is sponsored by the Orcas Island Community Foundation.

Paths to Understanding: Afghanistan 
Rev. Terry Kyllo will be featured in dialog with James Longley on August 31 at 7 pm and held at the San Juan Community Theatre. Terry Kyllo is a Lutheran pastor and Executive Director of Paths to Understanding, a multi-faith peacemaking organization.

James Longley is Friday Harbor’s Oscar-nominated filmmaker and photographer. His exhibit Looking into Kabul at SJIMA combines vast panoramic images with portraits and film focusing on everyday life in Kabul’s old city. SJIMA thanks the sponsors of this presentation, RaVae Luckhart and Jack Rice, Rob Ray and the Town of Friday Harbor.

These presentations require no reservations and are Pay As You Can events. SJIMA is located at 540 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA. The August 31 event will be held at San Juan Community Theatre which is located at 100 2nd St N, Friday Harbor. The Orcas Center is located at 917 Mt Baker Rd, Eastsound, WA. Further information can be found at www.sjima.org

Also exhibiting until September 12 is LATTICE II, a soaring sculptural installation combining glass, bronze, steel, wood and fiber. Museum hours are Thursday -Monday 11-5 and extra summer hours of Thursday-Saturday 7-9.