There’s still time to view the art exhibit “Stamps of Hope” through Nov. 14 in the James S. Murray Gallery. It is a traveling art exhibit that showcases Syrian refugee artwork from the Zaa’tari Refugee Camp in Jordan. It can be viewed on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The art celebrates the hope of a war-torn people who have left their home to try to create a better life for themselves and their families. This community of artists is struggling to make a living in a country where they have no security or citizenship,” explains Rihab Sawah, LLCC assistant professor of physics and organizer of the “Stamps of Hope” exhibit.

Some refugees had brought a few art supplies with them from Syria. They painted on available material such as newspapers and cardboard boxes that were used for transporting food and tent fabric from the camp. Eventually, they held an art exhibit within the refugee camp. The UN Commission and International Relief and Development Organization became interested in the art projects and supported the refugees by bringing in art supplies and arranging for participation in art exhibits outside the refugee camp.

The current “Stamps of Hope” exhibit opened at LLCC and will travel around the country for five years. New paintings and new contributing artists join the exhibit annually. The exhibit is sponsored by the Midwest Institute for International and Intercultural Education (MIIIE) based at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Michigan.