New York, USA – March 15, 2024 – On the auspicious occasion of the 5th annual Mithila Festival USA with Art Exhibition and Cultural Program, we are thrilled to announce the Kids Art Workshop, Exhibition, and Award to be held on April 14, 2024, in New York, USA.
Interested participants aged between 5-14 can register at www.mithilacenter.org to be part of this enriching experience. Art workshop supplies and training by professional artists/mentors will be provided to all participants. Further, awards/trophies to all participants will be presented by local government elected officials.
This initiative is part of Mithila Festival USA and a continued effort to showcase the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Mithila Art and to engage the next generations in celebrating and preserving our cultural heritage. This year’s art exhibition, entitled “Art for SDGs: The Mithila Heritage,” will showcase United Nations Sustainable Goal 13 (Climate Action) through vibrant folk Mithila Art. As climate change impacts every country and community, this exhibition underscores the importance of promoting community awareness of climate change and advocating for precautionary and preventive measures.
Mithila culture, rooted in the accident Mithila Kingdom (presently, the region of southern Nepal, and northern India) is renowned for its centuries-old tradition of art and painting imbued with the wisdom and narratives of epics like the Ramayana and other Hindu literature. Mithila paintings, with significant contributions historically from female artists, narrate mythological and religious events and serve as a form of decoration and social commentary. This art form has gained popularity worldwide and has opened up economic opportunities, particularly for women in rural communities.
The Mithila Festival USA has garnered recognition from various government authorities of Nepal and India, as well as elected officials in the United States of America. Following the grand success of the inaugural program, “Art for SDGs: The Mithila Heritage Exhibition,” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2019, and through continued engagement with stakeholders, the government of Nepal issued 17 postal stamps highlighting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals through Mithila paintings. Additionally, New York City Mayor Eric Adams proclaimed April 15 as Mithila Culture and Festival Day during the 4th annual festival in 2023. Mayor Adams lauds Mithila Center USA for its commitment to fostering positive change, nurturing community, and showcasing the storied heritage of the Mithila people. The festival serves as a platform for New Yorkers to unite and celebrate the invaluable contributions of immigrants, including South Asian Americans, to the city’s cultural fabric.
Founded by well-known Nepali American social entrepreneur and community organizer, Mr. Amit Pratap Shah, Mithila Center USA, also known as Mithila Art and Culture Center, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and promoting the rich values of Mithila cultural heritage and civilization. Mr. Shah states, “We believe that organizing the Mithila Festival USA with Art Exhibition and Cultural program not only brings the community together to celebrate cultural festivals but also preserves our heritage, especially through engagement with the next generation.” Through our flagship program, Art for SDGs: the Mithila Heritage Exhibition Initiatives, we showcase the fusion of Mithila Folk Art with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, promoting cultural preservation and sustainable economic growth, particularly through youth and women empowerment.
