“My photo essay seeks to capture the radiant strength Palestinian immigrants have built…”
Local Palestinian-American youth depict Picnic Culture Day
ABOUT MY PHOTO ESSAY
by Royah Naba
America is considered to be a melting pots of cultures, and Texas is as diversely populated. The Arlington Museum of Art’s recognition of the uniqueness and beauty in varying cultures is an inspiration for my piece.
The Palestinian Youth Movement, a group that brings together both Arlington and Dallas-area students, considered this, and aimed to bridge the gap of divide by portraying their culture through a lens of appreciation and celebration. An honorable display of all things Palestinian, the group brought their migrant experiences and put on a performance art piece, which I photographed, to showcase that in the heart of adversity lies an unwavering spirit, a spirit that transcends borders and generations.
My photo essay seeks to capture the radiant strength Palestinian immigrants have built. Each image serves as a broad scope of timeless Palestinian beauty that coexists during the struggles, trials and tribulations of our times. The Palestinian-American identity is complex and conflicting at times, so my photo essay explores the commonalities and details of sisterhood bonding and traditional hospitality experienced in Levantine countries. The group set up a mimic of Levantine aura by depicting a Picnic Culture Day in Dallas, where they brought symbols of their most unique cultural marks and food. The youthful women wore thobes to symbolize our heritage and culture. Performance art was chosen as a form of protest, where the concept of migrating dreams and families from small towns move to the big fast-paced cities. The photography paints the first generations of Palestinian-Americans in every aspect.
Meet Royah Naba
Royah Naba attends the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in Journalism and minoring in Law & Legal Studies. After graduation, Royah intends to attend law school and pursue a career in international law.
In addition to her studies, as a freelance photographer with a passion for capturing the world’s beauty through her lens, she strives to freeze moments in time, preserving memories and emotions in every frame. Alongside her photography journey, she’s a dedicated student journalist, committed to unveiling untold stories, unraveling truths, and shedding light on the world’s diverse narratives.
Her identity is deeply rooted in my Brazilian-Palestinian heritage, a blend of two rich cultures that have shaped her perspective on life, writing, and art. Her work often reflects this unique fusion, celebrating the beauty of diversity. With an insatiable wanderlust, she’s a seasoned traveler, exploring the world’s farthest corners and immersing herself in its vibrant stories. Her hobbies include watching and playing sports, outdoor adventures, reading novels, and being a member of the UTA moot court team.
About AMA+UTA CreateCollab
Since the Fall 2022 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art has partnered with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by the museum’s mission, values, and exhibitions.
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and brief audio stories.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith teaches the class. She values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to re-enforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
