The SZ Team wishes you & yours a healthy & happy holiday season!͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
suzannezahr.com

December 21, 2024

Gifted Wounds.

You will inherit the earth
my child
when the time is right
Not a moment before dawn
from this dark painful night

You are owed nothing less
than its soft morning dew
its awakened birdsong
its promise anew

You will encounter injustice
I know, so unfair
Speak clearly your truth
bear witness knowingly
in sacred grief and empathy

Take with you my psalm
sweet beloved
head bowed in reverence
in humility and grace
rid of entitled petulance

Knowing our loss is real
I continue to pray
your gifted wounds will heal
with each new day

 

Winter Solstice marks the last evening of autumn and the longest night of the year, celebrated with reverence and joy by Kurdish and Persian communities. Yalda, meaning ‘birth’ in Persian, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. It is believed that the god of light and truth was born at dawn following the longest night of the year, bringing renewal and hope to the world.

May we emerge as a global community, united with the intent of healing our divides and embracing one another with love, respect and empathy.

Suzanne Zahr
Principal Architect | SZ Build

SZ Gallery. Q1 | 2025

SZ Gallery continues to feature Palestinian and Global South Artists to amplify their distinct and diverse voices, putting their humanity on display through an artist's lens.  It's important that we showcase indigenous cultural experiences, in order to dispel dangerous stereotypes and dehumanizing propaganda. Our hope is for viewers to not only take refuge in the beauty, resilience and strength of the work, but to also offer prompts for empathetic and meaningful conversations about the art and culture of peoples around the world.

Weaving Stories by PICHA

SZ Gallery proudly presents Weaving Stories by PICHA, a book exhibit celebrating the unique perspectives of Afrocentric communities, that also reveal the universal truths that connect us all.

ART OPENING: Friday, January 10, 5 - 8PM

BOOK SIGNING: Friday, February 7, 5 - 8PM

LITERARY SALON: Friday, March 7, 5 - 8PM


Mercer Island First Friday Art Walk
Warm tea, wine & sweet treats will be served.

 PRE-ORDER THE BOOK 
 

Discover the Power of Visual Storytelling with Weaving Stories

We are excited to announce the upcoming release of Weaving Stories, a captivating new picture book that celebrates the beauty, resilience, and vibrancy of Afrocentric communities across the globe. A collaboration between photographers, creators, and the vision behind PICHA, this book offers a deeply personal and powerful exploration of the universal narratives that connect us all.

Why Weaving Stories Matters

Images possess the power to reshape how we see the world, challenge our perspectives, and tell the stories that need to be heard. Weaving Stories highlights the voices of photographers from Afrocentric communities who have long been underrepresented in mainstream visual media. Through this collection, we offer a visual chronicle of the human experience—capturing moments of joy, struggle, love, and growth that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.

From the bustling streets of Lagos to the quiet wisdom passed between mothers and daughters, Weaving Stories brings you face-to-face with the everyday lives of people whose stories have often been overlooked. Whether it’s the culinary traditions of Bahia, the spirit of community in rural villages, or the vibrant, fast-paced life of a taxi driver in Lagos, these images remind us that there’s beauty in every corner of the world.

A Journey of Connection

Each image in Weaving Stories is more than just a photograph; it is a thread in the tapestry of human experience, intricately woven to form a collective narrative. Just like a weaver intertwines colorful threads to create a beautiful fabric, this book weaves together individual stories into something larger, more meaningful. The powerful combination of rich photography and personal storytelling creates a bridge that connects generations, cultures, and histories, making the invisible visible.

Celebrating Afrocentric Culture, Reclaiming the Narrative

This book is a testament to the power of photography as a tool for empowerment. By giving Afrocentric communities the opportunity to tell their own stories through their lens, Weaving Stories reframes the limited and often inaccurate narratives that have dominated mainstream media. It’s time to reclaim the narrative, to empower people to tell their own truths, and to share their stories on their own terms.

Be the First to Experience the Magic

Weaving Stories is a celebration of the richness, complexity, and beauty of Afrocentric life. It will take you on a journey through the diverse experiences of African people around the world, capturing the essence of what it means to be a part of the global African diaspora. Are you ready to witness these incredible stories through the eyes of those who live them?

Let’s celebrate the power of visual storytelling together.

 PRE-ORDER THE BOOK 

We’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for supporting our small business, our artists and chosen non-profits throughout the years. We look forward to learning more about your community aspirations and anticipated Design | Build residential or commercial ambitions

 KEEP IN TOUCH 
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Suzanne Zahr, Art & Architecture
2441 76th Avenue SE, Suite 160
Mercer Island, WA
USA

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