CURRENT EXHIBITION

Nihad Dukhan: Unbroken Lineages I

Twelve Gates Arts is thrilled to present a solo exhibition of Islamic calligraphy by master calligrapher Nihad Dukhan - work that spans the classical to the contemporary, in an unbroken lineage of an ancient art form.

Unbroken Lineages I will be on view from October 2nd to October 15, 2026 in Philadelphia at 106 N 2nd St.

The opening reception on October 2nd will be from 5:30-8PM. 

In collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania's Sachs Program for Arts Innovation.

UPCOMING EXHIBITION

Extended Constellations*

Twelve Gates Arts is thrilled to present Extended Constellations, a group exhibition curated by Zehra Zehra featuring Sama Alshaibi, Lali Khalid, and Carrie Mae Weems. Working across photography, video, and archival material, the three artists explore displacement, belonging, and the images that shape how we are seen.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Extended Constellations will be on view from October 30, 2026 to January 16, 2027 in Philadelphia at Twelve Gates Arts at 106 N 2nd St, Philadelphia.

The opening reception on October 30th will be from 6-8PM, with Lali Khalid signing her new monograph, Letters to Azan.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Programs and Events Calendar
The Landscape of Memory: Screening and Conversation
Oct 29
The Landscape of Memory: Screening and Conversation

Join Twelve Gates Arts at Public Trust for The Landscape of Memory, a screening and conversation on how images hold personal and collective memory. Moderated by Zehra Zehra, with Maori Karmael Holmes, Sama Alshaibi, and Lali Khalid.

Thursday, October 29, 6-8 PM, 4017 Walnut St, Philadelphia.

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ARTS AT LARGE

Programs and Events Calendar
THE SAAMI KHAYAL APPRENTICESHIP
Sep 7
THE SAAMI KHAYAL APPRENTICESHIP

Following four successful apprenticeship programs, we are excited to announce the opening of applications for the next chapter, bringing the program to Philadelphia for the first time.

The 5th Saami Vocal Residency arrives this fall: September 8 to October 8, 2026.

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THE SAAMI KHAYAL APPRENTICESHIP - STUDENT SHOWCASE @ Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Sq
Oct 9
THE SAAMI KHAYAL APPRENTICESHIP - STUDENT SHOWCASE @ Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Sq

Join us for an evening of live Khayal performance as students of The Saami Khayal Apprenticeship take the stage for the first time. Over five weeks, apprentices trained with the Saami Ustaads - master practitioners of Khayal, one of Hindustani classical music's oldest vocal traditions - building their singing voice, sharpening pitch and note recognition, and learning to hear Raags in their original microtonal temperament.

Doors at 6:00 PM · Program at 6:30 PM · Ends 9:30 PM
Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19103
$40/ticket

Presented by The Saami Family × Center for Cultural Vibrancy

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THE NEXT 17

"For seventeen years, this room has held exhibitions, arguments, openings, and encounters that don't quite leave. We're ready for seventeen more — with you."

— Aisha Zia Khan, Co-founder & Executive Director

Read Aisha's full letter Support Twelve Gates
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Centering South Asian diasporic voices in contemporary art for the last 17 years.
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TALKS & PROGRAMS

Talks and Programs
AUDIO | Long Live Trans-Pakistan (trans-Pakistan Zindabad)
Sep 19
AUDIO | Long Live Trans-Pakistan (trans-Pakistan Zindabad)

Umber Majeed's lecture performance uses family archives to explore surveillance, capital & resistance in Pakistan's mega-developments. Stay for the Q&A after the lecture!

September 19, from 2-4 PM

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AUDIO | Book Salon: Decolonizing Afghanistan through Art
Sep 16
AUDIO | Book Salon: Decolonizing Afghanistan through Art

Join us for our Book Salon about Decolonizing Afghanistan through Art on September 16th, from 6 to 8PM at Twelve Gates Arts, 106 North 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA.

This event will feature contributors, artists, and curators, Tausif Noor, Laimah Osman, Wazhmah Osman, and Gazelle Samizay speaking on contemporary Afghan art, including photography, prints, multimedia works, and installation art, that engages with questions of borders, (im)mobility, diaspora, family, cultural traditions, colonialism, and war.

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AUDIO | Seasons of Migrations: Exploring the Cross-Cultural Legacies in Mohammad Omer Khalil's Work
Apr 18
AUDIO | Seasons of Migrations: Exploring the Cross-Cultural Legacies in Mohammad Omer Khalil's Work

Twelve Gates will host a public scholarly conversation that engages 12G's iteration of Common Ground, honoring Mohammed Omer Khalil's legacy.

The panel will explore Khalil's work on view and draw connections between his practice and South Asia. The conversation will feature scholar of Black Diasporic Art, Anna Arabindon-Kesson, Sudanese historian, Bayan Abubakr, and others, to be announced.

*Maximum of 2 tickets per person

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What stories do you want to hear, and what kinds of gatherings do you see yourself in?

Please take a moment to fill out our short community survey.
Your voice will guide us, and your input ensures that 12Gates continues to be a place that reflects and responds to those it serves, all of you.

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