PEORIA MAGAZINE March 2022

People, places & parties F R O M P E O R I A T O L E B A N O N :

“From Peoria to Lebanon,” an unprecedented partnership between organizations in Peoria, Ill., New York City and Beirut, deployed the healing power of the arts to provide much needed medical relief through the Lebanese American University Medical Centers for those affected in the continuing aftermath of the Beirut port explosion. The unique, multitiered benefit featured an exhibition of the leading Lebanese contemporary artists at Peoria Riverfront Museum from Oct. 25, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022, a Dec. 19 concert with renowned pianist Dr. Tony Karam at the Scottish Rite Theatre and an art auction of the exhibited work, which was donated by the artists. Among the exhibited artists who traveled to Peoria were emerging artist Wissam Melhem, painter Zeina Nader Selwan — whose work appeared on the benefit promotional material — and photographer Fadia Ahmad, whose acclaimed documentary film “Beirut: The Aftermath” was screened at the museum’s Giant Screen Theater. E X H I B I T I O N + C O N C E R T + A U C T I O N O C T O B E R 2 5 , 2 0 2 1 – J A N U A R Y 9 , 2 0 2 2 P E O R I A R I V E R F R O N T M U S E U M A N D S C O T T I S H R I T E T H E A T R E

Dr. Tony Karam

Wissam Melham

Dr. Michele Couri

Dr. Michele Couri

70 MARCH 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE

L-R: John Morris, Dr. Nicolas Baaklini, Lina Husseini, Zeina Nader, Fadia Ahmad, Wissam Melham and Dr. Tony Karam