Love, Unity and Freedom-Art Show by Salma Arastu at Expressions Gallery in Berkeley

PRESS RELEASE    Love, Unity and Freedom Show Runs: Saturday, January 19 – Friday, March 15, 2013 Show Opening Saturday, January 19, 6-8pm Join us and the Artists for our show opening with music by Lawanda Ultan and Greg Pratt and a guest musician who plays various Persian instruments. Refreshments served. Expresssions Gallery A Fine Arts Gallery in the Ashby Arts District in Berkeley, CA. 2035 Ashby Ave, Berkeley, California, a quarter block from the Ashby Bart Station between Adeline and Shattuck Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, Noon-5pm, Sunday 12-3pm and by appt. Phone: 510-644-4930, E-mail: expressionsgallery@msn.com The current show entitled: “Love, Unity and Freedom”  is a show about Art and Poetry. Our Featured Artist is Salma Arastu was inspired to create art from the poems of 13th Century Persian Sufi Poet, Melvana Julauddin Rumi She calls her work Poem-Paintings Salma is a Bay Area Artist in pursuit of peace and positive interfaith dialogue through the arts. She creates peaceful and trancelike imagery conveying messages of Love, unity and freedom. Her new exhibition is supported by a grant from the East Bay Community Foundation through its “Fund for Artists.” In addition to her work, we have invited other artists and poets to contribute to the show. Some  artists are both poets and artists, some are artists inspired by other’s poems and some are poets whose work is inspired or interpretive of other artists works. Featured throughout this show are a number of  Free Events: Friday night Literature and Poetry Readings and Open Mike:  The Third Friday of each month from 7-9 PM we have Literature and Poetry Readings and Open Mic: January 18 , 2013 Featuring: Jennifer Arin and Janell Moon February 15 , 2013 Featuring: Eliot Schain and Richard Silber March 22, 2013 Featuring: Gary Turchin and Wulf Losee   NEW OFF SITE LOCATION! Expressions Gallery is expanding to an additional and new site at 371 30th Street in Oakland, Ca. between Telegraph and Broadway across from Summit Hospital Our first show there is called  “Artistic Expressions”. The show opens as of January 23 with hours of 11 AM – 4 PM. Wednesdays - Sundays and runs through March 24,  Lots of gifts and fine art to light up your life or that of another.  Other Off Site Shows: “The 4 Rs: Reuse, Recycle, Redo and Re-purpose” Runs till – February 20, 2013, Mondays – Thursdays from 9 – 4 PM except on holidays at: City of Berkeley, Planning and Development Dept, on the first, 2nd and 3rd Floor 2010 Milvia St. after that“Celebration,Excitement and Joy” will be at the City of Berkeley Planning and Development Dept at 2010 Milvia Street from Feb. 25th through June 26th, 2013  Artwork is displayed on all three floors and access is Mondays through Thursdays from 9 – 4 PM. “Youth Spirit Artworks”: Runs through February 4th. Inspired artwork by at risk youth 16 – 25 who are part of Youth Spirit Artworks, a local non-profit organization passionately committed to empowering and transforming the lives of these East Bay Youth through job training and community art making.1947 Center Street Lobby Gallery, Berkeley, Ca. Open Mon -Thurs 9-4 PM  Art Classes for Children and Adults We offer classes for children and adults in your home, your school, your organization or senior center, at the artist’s studios or here at the gallery. See our flyer for more info about classes and to sign up. Contact our Educational Coordinator, Marge Essel at 510-548-2617  for more information.  We also offer seminars by accomplished teachers and artists in the field and classes for Artists who need to learn how to take, process, size, attach and send digital images of their artwork. We have classes and equipment for your use through or non-proft Arts and Educational Center. www.expressionsartsandedcenter.com. Care to support our Educational Center, you can donate or shop for goods you would normally buy on line at www.optoshopdiscounts.com. All proceeds go to support Expressions Gallery Arts and Educational Center: www.expressionsartsandedcenter.com. Come on by: Whether you are a serious collector, someone interested in learning more about art, or just browsing, you are sure to find something of interest at Expressions Gallery. Expressions Gallery, is more than a gallery, it strives to be an integral part of the community and an arts center dedicated to supporting all forms of art.