The Red Thread is a collection of art that tells the stories of the Palestinian people.

Call for artwork and collaborators opens March 31, 2025 and closes on May 4, 2025.

Show Dates: August 29 - October 18, 2025

About The Red Thread

Fruitful Tears by Agnes Westgate


The Red Thread is an international collection of art and related programming celebrating the rich history of Palestine and the resilience of its people. Palestinians have inspired the world with their ability to maintain hope throughout the injustices they have faced every day since 1948.

The Red Thread collection invites Palestinian artists domestically and internationally to tell personal stories that paint a portrait of Palestine before, during, and after the occupation. We aim to use the power of art to tell stories that the media fails to portray.

We invite you to experience the symbols and stories of Palestine. The Royal Iris is the national flower of Palestine and represents the region's natural beauty and resistance. The olive tree represents the connection of Palestinians to the land due to the trees' slow growth and longevity. The Keffiyeh represents the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, justice, and freedom. 

All the art will be connected across the gallery by a red thread that binds us and the people of Palestine.

Our goal is to spark hope for peace while providing educational opportunities and experiences to connect with this beautiful culture. The Red Thread will center the creativity of Palestinians in this collection of art and programming.

Voice of the Voiceless by SCOOB

The Exhibition Space

106 Gallery is a large exhibition space owned by Dwelling Place and managed by Avenue for the Arts. It is Located at 106 S Division along the SoDiv commercial corridor in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is divided between a Dwelling Place workspace and an exhibition space. This space is extremely flexible and can be easily adapted for events and other programming.

The Courage of the Palestinian People by Nikki Wall

Want to be in the Red Thread?

Contribute your own artwork or an idea for programming during the show by submitting an application. Call for artwork and collaborators opens March 31- and closes on May 4, 2025.