PITT PRESENTS ART BY BOSNIAN CHILDREN

PITTSBURGH, March 9 -- A compelling display of artwork by children from Bosnia, brought here through the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for International Studies in Education, will make its debut this Wednesday, March 11 at 10 a.m. at the Rogers Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts, 5525 Columbo Street, East Liberty. Rogers students will be on hand to interpret the art, as will Sanel Hodzic, a 24-year-old Bosnian national who has worked with the University of Pittsburgh on this project and others.

The exhibit, "Obnova: Renewal Through the Eyes of Bosnian Children," began to take shape in 1996 when 16 Bosnian educators attending a teacher education reform initiative at Pitt brought with them the drawings, paintings and poems created by children of Bosnia and Herzogovenia during the war. Through its ongoing involvement with the Bosnian teachers, the Institute eventually collected more than 300 pieces of artwork. The stunning images, of which 60 were chosen for public exhibit, reflect the children's longing for peace.

The collection will be on display at Rogers School until the end of April and will be exhibited at various other Pittsburgh school districts and other venues. The art has also sparked the interest of the Bosnian Ambassador, who hopes to host the exhibit at the Bosnian Embassy in Washington, DC this summer.

-30-