Andargé Asfaw

By Hohete Arefeaine

I am pleased to announce that Washington area professional photographer, and my friend, Andargé Asfaw, will be bringing his traveling gallery exhibition Ethiopia From the Heart, to the Rouse Foundation Gallery at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland.
The exhibition reception, artist talk and book signing will take place March 19 from 6-8pm. The exhibition itself will run from March 5 - April 18. 2009.

In Ethiopia From the Heart, Andarge has captured Ethiopia’s quiet splendor and highlighted the country’s deep and abiding link to faith and culture. Deeply concerned that the Ethiopia resplendent in his photographs is rapidly disappearing, Andarge has committed to doing his share in working towards raising awareness of the degradation of
the environment, placing at risk the traditional livelihoods and cultures of his homeland, Ethiopia.

The belief that no-one person can do everything, but that each and every one of us has the power to do something characterizes Andarge’s work. Not only is his book, Ethiopia From the Heart, produced using post consumer materials where possible.

In addition, proceeds from each copy of Ethiopia from the Heart funds tree planting projects in Ethiopia. Through partnerships with Trees for the Future, Greener Ethiopia, Mission Green Earth and Ethiopian Airlines, Andarge is embarking on an exciting project that he will be sharing with us during his artist talk.

His goal for the coming year of planting up to 100,000 trees through this partnership, beginning with his mother’s village in Ethiopia, and of how each one of us can be a part of this legacy is one of the highlights of the evening.

I invite you to share an evening celebrating the works of Andarge Ethiopia from the Heart, and the ongoing mission of this powerful new partnership.

To find out about Andargé Asfaw visit www.ethiopiafromtheheart.com.