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"Syria’s Crossroads: Revolution, Governance, and the Future of Leadership" Featuring: Wael Al-Sawah Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. - Noon Location: Hall of Nations at 2191 West Pan American Road, Balboa Park About the Program The dramatic and wholly unexpected fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, 2025, has altered the course of Syrian history and shifted geopolitical balances across the Levant and the greater Middle East. How did Assad fall so suddenly from power despite overt support from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah? Who is Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and what is his vision for Syria? What does the fall of Assad mean for Israel and the Arab world? Wael Al-Sawah will first offer his expert and experienced analysis of the situation facing the newly installed Sharaa regime. In his words, “the fall of the Assad regime marks a monumental turning point in Syria’s history and offers an unparalleled opportunity to rebuild a state founded on justice, equality, and democracy”. In his lecture Al-Sawah will review the historical precedents of regime shifts since Syrian independence in 1946. He will also address the opportunities and various challenges facing the Sharaa regime. Following Wael’s presentation, audience members will be allowed to ask questions. About Wael al-Sawah Wael al-Sawah is a Syrian writer and researcher specializing in Levantine politics and civil society. He is the president of Pro-Justice, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to combating impunity. Al-Sawah serves as the Secretary of the American Coalition for Syria and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Syria Program at the Middle East Institute in Washington. He also holds the position of editor-in-chief at The Syrian Observer. Between 2006 and 2012, Al-Sawah worked for the US Embassy Damascus as Political Analyst and Advisor. He has authored novels and short stories and has co-authored several books in both Arabic and English. Previous Roles and Affiliations: Former Executive Director of The Day After. Former Executive Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression. Former Political Analyst at the US Embassy, Damascus. Member of the Steering Committee for the Temporary Compensation Project. Fellow at the Hoover Institution in the United States.

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Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. March 14, 15, and 16 (3 days, 9 total hours of instruction) La Jolla Studio Follow your imagination and the patterns in fabric scraps as you combine them with painted paper, cutouts, and paints. This is a chance to recycle many colorful leftovers into fantasy creations. Compositional forms will be explained with a focus on movement and repetition. During the first class meeting, Susan will demonstrate techniques for preparing paper and gluing items smoothly, and she will provide some fabric scraps for your use. She will be working on a mixed-media collage while in class. The following classes will be used to complete a larger work using still life or photographs as inspiration.   Materials: Fabric scraps, paper,* acrylic paints, 11” x 14” canvas (or larger), gesso, brushes, clear acrylic medium, copies of old photos, magazines for collage, scissors. Useful additions: Rags, scraps of foam-core, corrugated cardboard, mat board, colored pencils, soft pastels, oil pastels, India ink, watercolors. *Paper for the base of the artwork needs to be at least 100 lb. Pick no smaller than 16” x 20”. Various sizes and types of art paper (Arches cover, Stonehenge, Bristol) are good. All kinds of scrap paper and wrapping paper can be used in the mixed-media art piece. Max students: 12 Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/classes/16 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook