Programmation pour la jeunesse | Réflexions sur Wafaa Bilal : Indulge Me

À propos de l'événement

Join members of the UIC Arab American Cultural Center and Teen Creative Agency Apprentice Madeleine Afable for a youth-led embroidery and sound-based activation and dialogue in response to Wafaa Bilal: Indulge Me. Explore how personal and political narratives can be stitched together through a collaborative embroidery practice centered on motifs and symbols found across Pan-Arab cultures.

We encourage you to explore Bilal’s exhibition before attending the event to consider the following questions:

• What does it mean to “indulge” in something—and how does the exhibition challenge or invite indulgence?
• What emotions or thoughts come up as you experience the work? Are you uncomfortable, curious, moved? Why?
• Bilal often uses technology and interactivity in his work. What role do you as the viewer play within this context?

This workshop is organized by Teen Creative Agency Apprentice Madeleine Affable.

About the Speakers

Madeleine Afable is an Art History student at Loyola University Chicago with a strong commitment to making art and cultural heritage accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences. With experience in museum youth programming, she has led interactive workshops, coordinated educational events, and developed creative strategies to engage young people with contemporary art. Madeleine is especially passionate about cultural leadership and is dedicated to exploring how institutions can evolve as dynamic centers for community connection, learning, and social impact.

Amira Altamimi was born and raised to a Palestinian family in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and is currently pursuing a minor in Global Middle East Studies. Amira is interested in art, culture, and the environment, particularly in relation to the Arab world. She now works at the Arab American Cultural Center at UIC and as a youth instructor for the Arab American Action Network, focusing on political education for youth.

Ayah Zaki is a marketing student at the University of Illinois Chicago where she works as a program support intern at the Arab American Cultural Center on campus. She aims to work in social media marketing where she can use her creativity. She loves her hobbies such as baking, crochet, watching tv shows, and reading. Ayah’s family is from Egypt, but she has lived in Illinois her entire life. She believes her Egyptian identity is a very important component to what makes her who she is today.

Layla Zeki is an Arab American who grew up in the North Side of Chicago. She is pursuing a bachelors in Science of Nursing at UIC and is working towards becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She enjoys cooking, reading, and painting in her spare time. Layla values her Arab American identity and helping other Arab Americans connect to their identities, both through resources in the center and the larger community.