For Immediate Release: February 24, 2012

Alexandria Artist Raphael G. Nadeem Displays his Artwork at City Hall
Exhibition runs through March 23, 2012

New Highlights:

• Exhibition dates are February 21 – March 23, 2012
• Public is invited to  the Exhibit Opening on Friday, March 2, 6pm – 7pm, Chet and Sabra Avery Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall
• 85-year old Artist Raphael G. Nadeem is a World Word II Veteran

Artwork by Raphael G. Nadeem, former veteran of the Pacific Theater in World War II, is now on display at Alexandria’s City Hall through Friday, March 23, 2012. An exhibit opening will be held on Friday, March 2, 6pm – 7pm, in the Chet and Sabra Avery Room, 2nd Floor Room 2000, City Hall. The public is invited.

The 85-year-old Alexandrian started painting thirteen years ago and has since completed more than 100 paintings. Nadeem was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the ninth of ten children. He spent most of his work career organizing and creating elaborate merchandise displays in more than 25 department stores in New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. He often traveled the markets of Europe in search of new ideas and trends in merchandising. He has received national recognition in display for his artistic vision and was inducted into the National Industrial Display Hall of Fame. When he retired, Nadeem was the Vice President of Visual Merchandising for Hecht’s Department Store.

Nadeem lives in a memento-filled townhouse in Old Town Alexandria. In 1999, he began painting studies under Diane Tesler and Lisa Semerad at The Art League School at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. He is constantly seeking new challenges in painting and sketches and is particularly inspired by the natural beauty of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and its surroundings. His detailed nature paintings, usually from preliminary sketches, often include old and unusual buildings. Other paintings reflect the everyday culture of favorite places from his world travels.

The exhibit includes 30 oil paintings and 6 pencil drawings, including several paintings of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Nadeem’s painting instructor encouraged him to include a few works from his Syrian series which depict scenes of daily life in Damascus. These paintings hold particular meaning to Nadeem whose grandmother emigrated from Syria to the United States with her two sons.

“It is a delight to honor Ray and showcase his talent in this solo exhibit,” said Alisa Carrel, Deputy Director of the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and head of the City’s Office of the Arts. “Ray is not only an extremely talented artist, he is a very dear member of our neighborhood. A couple years ago, I took a day trip to western Virginia with Ray to photograph old homes and buildings for his inspiration. One of the paintings resulting from that trip ‘Ole Shanandor’ is included in the exhibit and is one of my favorites.”

This is the largest exhibit of Nadeem’s work to date.  All paintings are for sale.  The exhibit will be on display through Friday, March 23.

For more information, please contact the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, 703.746.5588 or aca@alexandriava.gov.