Maryam Bayat: Unrolling Paradise, March 14, 2026 – August 16, 2026, California Center for the Arts Museum
Presented by California Center for the Arts Museum in Escondido in Collaboration with Persian Place and curated by Sadry Hedayat.
The California Center for the Arts Museum presents Unrolling Paradise, an exhibition by interdisciplinary artist Maryam Bayat that examines the Persian garden as a living design tradition carried through textiles, memory, and everyday objects. Working at the intersection of craft and design, Bayat transforms traditional Persian rugs into sculptural forms, including furniture, abstract trees, and domestic structures that reflect on place and belonging.
Birds and Their Homes: Trees, March 14 – May 18, 2026, California Center for the Arts Museum
This exhibition celebrates the wonder of nature through the eyes of young artists. This exhibition invites students in grades K-12 to explore the intricate and imaginative relationships between birds and the spaces they call home.
From delicate nests in towering trees to whimsical interpretations of bird habitats, each artwork reflects creativity, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. The exhibition provides a unique platform for young artists to showcase their talents and connect with the beauty of the natural world.
This exhibition was organized by Persian Place in collaboration with California Center for the Arts Museum, Cosmos Solar Company and and Little Persian and made possible with the support of Hope Elementary School in Carlsbad, North County Lifeline Community Services, and Country Montessori School of Poway.
Head Above The Clouds, October 2025- March 2026, California Center for the Arts Museum
Persian Place was a part of the collaborative effort behind this remarkable exhibition. Head Above the Clouds is an inspiring exhibition by Dave Eassa, currently on view at the California Center for the Arts, Museum October 4, 2025 through March 1, 2026. The exhibition was created in collaboration with The New Children’s Museum and Persian Place, which contributed to Spirit of Four Sails, a community-centered project and an integral part of the overall installation.
Fantastic Fish, March 2025, California Center for the Arts Museum
Young artists in grades K–12 were invited to participate in the “Fantastic Fish” art contest, a wonderful opportunity to showcase their creativity and have their artwork featured at the California Center for the Arts Museum during our Nowruz celebration on March 15, 2025. Presented by Persian Place and the Museum of California Center for the Arts in collaboration with Little Persian, the exhibition explored the theme “Fantastic Fish.” From goldfish and koi to tropical or imaginary fish, students were encouraged to let their creativity swim free using any art medium, including drawing, painting, or mixed media. In total, 200 highly creative artworks were showcased at the museum, reflecting the imagination and talent of young artists from across the community.
Cups to Connections: Global Gestures of Hospitality, March 30 – Aug 11 , 2024, Mingei International Museum
The Persian Place tea collection was proudly included in this exhibition at the Mingei International Museum, which explored how sharing drinks fosters connection and community across cultures. Presented in collaboration with The House of Pacific Relations, the exhibition featured international objects highlighting traditions of hospitality from Middle Eastern coffee rituals to Japanese tea culture and beyond and highlighted the rich social and cultural significance of tea in Persian hospitality.
Epic Expressions: Shahnameh by Seven Female Artists, February – June 2024, Mingei International Museum
The unique objects displayed in the niche at Mingei International Museum reflected the creative expressions of seven international female artists selected by Persian Place from February to June 2024. Seven international female artists were invited to create works inspired by the Shahnameh, a 10th- and 11th-century epic poem by Persian poet Abul Qasem Ferdowsi. The Shahnameh narrates the heroic tales of Persian kings and also acknowledged the pivotal role of Iranian women as influential nurturers and warriors in their communities. The showcased artists included Shirin Aghdaie, Sasha Furlan, Melissa Meier, Yasaman Mostajeran, Marty Ornish, Sara Soleimani Qashqai, and Soroor Sharifi.
Shirin Aghdaie is a Tehran University graduate who skillfully captures the Shahnameh’s essence through mirror work, a characteristic material in Persian decorative arts.
Sasha Furlan, a Croatian immigrant, explores Persian miniature art, embodying the spirit of Shahnameh in her paintings as well as reflecting on the evolving role of painting in contemporary life.
Melissa Meier, Santa Monica based Brazilian artist is known for her 3D installations using found objects, and has created a pair of beautiful but strong rose bud shoes for the installation.
Yasaman Mostajeran, a Newport Beach psychotherapist, elegantly revitalizes the Shahnameh’s verses through therapeutic art, especially through calligraphic forms.
Marty Ornish is a San Diego textile artist, and she addresses political and feminist issues with discarded materials, drawing inspiration for her displayed dress from Zoroastrian outfits in the late 18th century.
Iranian Pateh embroidery artist Sara Soleimani Qashqai intricately weaves Shahnameh tales and its women into curtains, infusing childhood stories and playfulness into her delicate stitching.
Soroor Sharifi, an Iranian jewelry designer, crafted a Phoenix-themed piece for this installation, which symbolizes resilience, rebirth, and women’s strength, reflecting her distinctive aesthetic and global influences.
Paint Your Rainbow, March 2023, Mingei International Museum
On March 27, 2023, Persian Place successfully presented the “Paint Your Rainbow” children’s art exhibition at the Mingei International Museum, showcasing 70 artworks from local schools by children ages 3–9. The exhibition theme, “Rainbow,” was created in loving memory of Kian, a talented nine-year-old boy who deeply loved drawing rainbows.
persianplace.org 