(Utica, NY – Sept. 2013) This October, through the benefit of a special grant made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, the Utica Public Library’s annual Cultural Spotlight will focus on Islamic Culture. The Kick-Off for this 3 event program is “An Evening of Islamic Cuisine” which will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22 the library will have a special screening of Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World at 6:30 p.m. This stunning documentary traces the astonishing beauty and splendor of Islamic art and architecture.
The grant also provides for a 5-part book/discussion group entitled Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys.
Five books will be given to registered participants of the reading groups, which will be helmed by Shoshana Keller, Ph.D., from Hamilton College. The groups will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 25, Oct. 9, 23 and Nov. 6 and 20. To register for the reading groups, please contact the library at 735-2279 or inquire at the Information Desk in the main lobby. All events of the Cultural Spotlight are free to the public.
Support was provided by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York. Additional support for the arts and media components was provided by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.