NEW CURATOR: Laila Friedman ANNOUNCEMENT

The Bowery Art Collective and OPEN ARCHWAYS creator Khalid Khashoggi are proud to announce that the second iteration of OPEN ARCHWAYS will be held on August 25 at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center.

This landmark exhibition is being presented through a collaboration between the Bowery Art Collective, the East Brunswick Arts Commission, the Township of East Brunswick, East Brunswick Parks and Recreation, the East Brunswick Arts Coalition, the Mayor Cohen Charity Fund, and several interfaith-focused nonprofit organizations, with additional partners to be announced in the coming weeks.

Following the success of the inaugural OPEN ARCHWAYS exhibition in Metuchen, the Bowery Art Collective is honored to bring this unique celebration of Jewish-Muslim artistic collaboration to East Brunswick. While co-curator Hannah Finkelshteyn has since relocated, returning curator Aakef Khan will continue to help guide and expand the exhibition’s vision, fostering dialogue, understanding, and connection through the arts.

The Bowery Art Collective is also pleased to announce the appointment of Laila Friedman as the exhibition’s newest co-curator. Laila Friedman is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with dual majors in Art History and Visual Arts (Painting Concentration) in May 2026. She brings a deep commitment to OPEN ARCHWAYS' mission, artistic experience, and valuable curatorial insight gained through her work at institutions such as the Zimmerli Art Museum, the American Academy in Rome, and the Alfa Art Gallery.

“Laila’s passion for community engagement and cross-cultural dialogue makes her an exceptional addition to the OPEN ARCHWAYS team,” said the organizers. “Her experience and vision will help us continue building meaningful connections between artists and audiences through this important exhibition.”

OPEN ARCHWAYS brings Jewish and Muslim artists together through collaborative exhibitions, dialogue, and shared creative exploration. By highlighting common values, cultural intersections, and personal narratives, the exhibition seeks to create spaces where art serves as a bridge between communities.

Additional details regarding participating artists, interfaith partners, and public programming will be announced in the coming weeks.