As part of the cooperation program between the Faculty of Fine Arts at An-Najah and international artists, the Faculty organized a workshop for the American artist, Lily Yeh, Founder of the Barefoot Artists Organization in the United States.

Barefoot Artists is a non-profit arts organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that uses the power of art to transform impoverished communities. Founded in 2003 by Lily Yeh, Barefoot Artists aims to train and empower local residents, organize communities, and take action for a more compassionate, just and sustainable better future.

The workshop targeted the painting and ceramics students at An-Najah. Yeh delivered a presentation titled “Transformation by Art” in which she introduced the students to her art work which she makes through utilizing the destroyed and marginalized environment and transforming it into high quality works of art which creates positive energy and hope among people.

The artist was received by Dr. Hasan N’erat, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Lina Harb, Head of the Plastic Art Department, Bassam Abu Al-Hayyat, Jamal Al-Bahri and others. Dr. N’erat welcomed Yeh to the University and appreciated her interest in presenting her work and experience to the students. He also emphasized the importance of mutual cultural exchange between people and the fruits of such exchange.

Using the concept and model proven in her 20 years of work in inner city North Philadelphia at the Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philadelphia and in other poor communities in the States, Yeh works on projects in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Ecuador, China, and Rwanda, among others.

Yeh raises funds for specific projects that pair volunteer expertise with local people to improve environment, advance health, education, and economic development.