Professor Majed Seif, 44, a Palestinian born in Jerusalem, is a Brooklyn-based visual artist specializing in Arabic calligraphy, Arabesque and other Islamic arts. He currently teaches Arabic calligraphy at the United Nations and New York University (NYU). He received a Bachelor's degree in archaeology and history from Birzeit University, and a degree in Arabic calligraphy from the Institute of Fine Arts in Ramallah, both in Palestine. He is also a graduate student in archaeology and anthropology and has participated in numerous art exhibitions and workshops in Palestine and the United States. He is a soft spoken man who fills most of his time teaching and creating beautiful calligraphy that helps to distract him while his wife, a Syrian refugee living in Germany waits to gain entry into the United States. Majed also attends the mosque in Sunset Park located on 63rd street that is also one of our way stations where a mural will be placed. 

Lise Lorentzen, 42,hails from Staten Island, N.Y, where she grew up in a household with strong ties to the American Norwegian community in both Staten Island and Brooklyn. This included her church, Sons of Norway, and family back in the “old” country. Lise specializes in the Norwegian painted decorative folk art called Rosemaling. This is an art form that dates back to the late 1600’s and is traditionally done on wood and the interiors of homes and churches. Her work has been displayed at the Staten Island Museum, the Norwegian Seaman’s Church in Manhattan, and the Liriodendron Gallery in Bel Air, MD, where she had a one women show in 2015. Currently, Lise has her work displayed at The Harford Artist Association Gallery in Bel Air, MD, and The Arts by the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace, MD.  Also, as of the 2015 winter semester, Lise is teaching Rosemaling at the Harford Community College, Bel Air, MD. Lise is also a professional educator with a BA in art History, and a MS in Special Education.