Celebration of heritage and creativity at Detroit art exhibition
The third edition of the Beth Nahrain Art Gallery in Detroit celebrated both heritage and creativity through paintings and sculptures.
In October 2025, Rooshma Arts, in collaboration with the Ishtar Cultural Center, hosted its third annual Beth Nahrain Art Gallery, a free, immersive two-day exhibition celebrating the creativity and heritage of Assyrian artists.
The event transformed the Metro Detroit space into a living reflection of the homeland, featuring artwork deeply inspired by Assyrian history, culture, and identity. Visitors described the experience as “a portal to Beth Nahrain,” a testament to the emotional and cultural depth captured by the artists.
Founded in 2023, Rooshma Arts is a Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities for artists, especially those within the Assyrian community, to showcase, sell, and share their work. The organization’s mission is “to create opportunities for artists to produce, showcase, and sell their work while fostering cultural appreciation and connection through art.”
This year’s gallery highlighted a wide range of mediums, including oil painting, photography, wood-carved sculpture, embroidery, and mixed media.
Featured Artists
Among the artists featured were Sam Selou Wazi, Azhar Matti, Emad Tamo, Taif Alheety, Stavros Zara, Eman Toma, Sipya Kado, and Reni Stephan, alongside an inspiring collection of works from student artists such as Nada Kinaya, Mason Sitto, Nela Koki, Jazella Shamou, and Sandi Kashat.
Many of the artists trace their roots to the Nineveh Plain Region of Northern Iraq, with pieces paying homage to the region through depictions of traditional attire, landscapes, and symbols of Assyrian heritage. Among them, Reni Stephan stands out as a distinguished figure in the Assyrian art community. With decades of experience, Stephan has sculpted and painted from the heart, producing timeless works that honor the Assyrian spirit. His art has been featured in notable venues such as Ishtar Restaurant in Sterling Heights, MI, the Chaldean Community Foundation, the Assyrian Cultural Foundation of Chicago, and most recently, at the Carr Center..
A proud member of Rooshma Arts, Stephan continues to nurture the next generation of artists through teaching and mentorship at his enchanting Sterling Heights studio.
Building Bridges Through Art
One of the student artists featured at the gallery is Mason Sitto, co-founder and vice president of Rooshma Arts. His self-portrait, portraying himself alongside an Assyrian king, serves as a personal reflection of heritage and is symbolic of the pride shared by Assyrians in diaspora.
Sitto shares his hopes for the organization’s future, envisioning Rooshma Arts as a creative home where artists of all disciplines can collaborate and thrive. “Our goal is to build a space where every creative mind can belong,” Sitto says, “whether through painting, photography, music, poetry, or even culinary arts.”
Through events like the Beth Nahrain Art Gallery, Rooshma Arts seeks to build bridges, connect artists, strengthen cultural identity, and keep the spirit of the homeland alive, explained organizers.
About Rooshma Arts
Rooshma Arts is a nonprofit organization based in Sterling Heights, Michigan, which describes itself as "dedicated to supporting artists within the Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac community." Founded in 2023, the group provides opportunities for creatives to showcase and sell their work while fostering cultural awareness and appreciation through the arts. Learn more about the organization and the artists via their website, and more about Ishtar Cultural Center.
By Maria Shamoun
