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MEI Art Gallery Opens in Washington D.C. with 'Arabity' Exhibition

exhibition · 2026-05-04

On September 14, 2019, the Middle East Institute (MEI) will officially open the MEI Art Gallery in Washington D.C. Situated in the MEI headquarters at Dupont Circle, which is under a mile from the White House, this gallery is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art from the Near and Middle East. Established in 1946, MEI enhances U.S.-Middle East relations through education, policy initiatives, and a library containing 20,000 volumes. The gallery's mission is to uplift emerging Middle Eastern artists and promote intercultural dialogue. The inaugural exhibition, 'Arabity | Ourouba,' features 17 artists, including Adel Abidin and Khaled Barakeh, and explores themes of memory and identity through various artistic mediums.

Key facts

  • MEI Art Gallery opens September 14, 2019 in Washington D.C.
  • Located in the Middle East Institute headquarters at Dupont Circle.
  • MEI was founded in 1946 to promote U.S.-Middle East relations.
  • Gallery focuses on contemporary art from Morocco to Afghanistan.
  • Inaugural exhibition 'Arabity | Ourouba' features 17 artists.
  • Exhibition covers two decades of contemporary Arab art.
  • Artists include Adel Abidin, Hassan Hajjaj, Youssef Nabil, and others.
  • Gallery aims to support emerging Middle Eastern artists and foster dialogue.

Entities

Artists

  • Adel Abidin
  • Chant Avedissian
  • Ayman Baalbaki
  • Said Baalbaki
  • Khaled Barakeh
  • Anas AlBraehe
  • Tagreed Darghouth
  • Hassan Hajjaj
  • Fathi Hassan
  • Susan Hefuna
  • Abdul Rahman Katanani
  • Youssef Nabil
  • Mahmoud Obaidi
  • Kahidhbah
  • Rabil S’Himi
  • Sharif Waked

Institutions

  • Middle East Institute
  • MEI Art Gallery

Locations

  • Washington D.C.
  • United States
  • Dupont Circle
  • Morocco
  • Afghanistan
  • Middle East

Sources