My Sister’s Smile– International Women’s Day Photo Exhibition (Originally exhibited at Iowa Western Community College’s Arts Center; March, 2017)

New Century Art Guild wishes to reprise select images from “My Sister’s Smile” exhibition in an effort to acknowledge  the plight of the people of Afghanistan, where recent news has been most concerning regarding the safety of the citizens, including friends we have made as a result of this project.

In 2016, the cities of Herat, Afghanistan and Council Bluffs, IA launched a unique joint and simultaneous exhibit of women photographers from the two cities in honor of International Women’s Day. In the summer of 2016, Herat, Afghanistan and Council Bluffs, Iowa signed a Sister Cities International partnership agreement. This exhibit was an opportunity  for Herat and Council Bluffs  to share and discover the uniqueness of each city as well as the things we have in common.

This event was the result of a partnership between Council Bluffs Sister Cities Association, Herat Sister Cities Committee, New Century Art Guild, and Karadah Project International. These organizations bring together Afghan and American artists, civic and government leaders, military veterans, and humanitarian advocates. “These kinds of citizen diplomacy efforts are as important as the work of our professional diplomats,” said Rick Burns, Council Bluffs Sister Cities board member and founder of Karadah Project International. “If we are to have peace, it will only come through the grassroots efforts of citizen diplomats reaching across national boundaries.”

Images from Afghan women photographers: