(Oklahoma City, OK 11/17/11) - On November 16, 2011 CAIR-Oklahoma launched the inaugural Art in the Heartland series with a successful exhibit featuring local artists. Over 300 guests stopped by to view the art on display at Oklahoma City University's Wanda Bass Atrium.

View the Virtual Art in the Heartland Exhibit

Local artists featured at the exhibit included caligrapher Tehmina Cheema, photographer Nadia Martinez, and painter Farzana Jahangir.

The exhibit, co-hosted by the OCU Muslim Student Organization, featured over 50 pieces of art and was open from 1pm - 9pm. During an evening reception CAIR-Oklahoma Executive Director Muneer Awad welcomed the audience, and explained the vision and purpose of the Art in the Heartland series.

"This exhibit will promote and celebrate Oklahoma's diversity, while providing local artists with a venue to diplay their creativity and passion," said CAIR-Oklahoma Executive Director Muneer Awad. "There are many ways to bring our communities together, and art is one of them."

The reception also included remarks from CAIR-Oklahoma Arts Director Thomaira Babbit, Muslim Student Organization President Isaiah Calhoun, Artists Nadia Martinez & Farzana Jahangir, and featured food and drinks provided by our corporate sponsors.

"We don't need to talk about Islam in order to better understand Muslims. People of all backgrounds can come to this event and share an experience by appreciating the arts and getting to know their local artists, who happen to be Muslims," said Isaiah Calhoun. 

Art in the Heartland is a new series of productions that will celebrate the arts, and highlight the contributions and creativity of American Muslims. CAIR-Oklahoma hopes to continue the Art in the Heartland series with exhibits, film screenings, musical performances, and other productions featuring local artists.