Through the joint effort of two Palestinian organizations, a new program is bringing contemporary art where it has never gone before. An artist-in-residency program co-sponsored by Riwaq and the Abdel Mohsen Qattan Foundation will enable the residents of the conservative West Bank town of al-Dahriya, south of Hebron, to paint, produce a short film, make puppets and take part in a number of other creative activities.
In al-Dahriya's historic old town, the ruins of a Roman fort point to the past strategic importance of its location and its role as a defense outpost as well as a hub of commerce between Hebron and the Negev. Some of its historical monuments, such as the old market and surrounding buildings, were renovated by Riwaq — Centre for Architectural Conservation, which aims to protect Palestine's architectural and archaeological heritage.