The Penticton Art Gallery in British Columbia will present "Light Through Scars," a group exhibition guest-curated by Emily Carr University faculty member Parvin Peivandi, from June 20 to September 19, 2026. The show features four internationally recognized artists—Oksana Zbrutska, Ghinwa Yassine, Solange Adum Abdala, and Peivandi herself—whose works in painting, photography, film, performance, and ceramic sculpture explore themes of displacement, resilience, and healing, drawing on their Iranian, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Ukrainian heritage.
This exhibition matters because it addresses urgent global issues of conflict and migration through the lens of contemporary art, emphasizing creativity as a tool for connection and understanding rather than focusing solely on trauma. By bringing together diverse cultural perspectives in a community gallery setting, "Light Through Scars" offers a model for how art can foster empathy and dialogue amid ongoing worldwide crises, making it relevant to both local audiences and broader conversations about art's social role.