Kifah Abdulla - Engine

Biography
Kifah Abdulla is an artist, poet, writer, teacher, performer, environmental and social activist. Born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq. He teaches the art of Arabic calligraphy in contemporary art at Maine College of Art “MECA/CS”, former member of Portland Public Art Committee “PPAC”.
Abdulla is involved in many cultural and artistic projects, he has exhibited in many galleries in Maine and Portland such as MECA, Lewis Gallery, Creative Portland Art gallery, Harlow Gallery, etc. Art + Conversion, Colby Museum of Art, Printmaking/Graphics workshop, Haystack Craft School, Co-curator migration Experience at UMVA Art Gallery, Making Migration Visible, ICA at MECA, Voices From The Heart Of Maine “Portland Public Library”, Poets and Paintings Project at PMA by curator Marcie Griswold. Abdulla’s work was featured in the Portland Press Herald, ArtMaine 2020 Annual Guide, Citizen of this world “The Forecaster newspaper”, The Space Of Freedom “MECA magazine”, and Poetry In Action “The Portland Phoenix”.
Kifah has published two books, a poetry book “Dead Still Dream” and a memoir “Mountains Without Peaks”. He is a board member at “Portland Squash Community” and visiting board member at “Long Creek Youth Development Center”.

What people are saying about Engine...

Partnering with UNE, Engine has offered professional level gallery and classroom experiences for undergraduate and local students enrolled in arts classes as well as a venue to see art by both regionally and nationally recognized artists.

Stephen Burt

University of New England

Engine is and has been a focal point of downtown Biddeford for many years for so many artists and creative spirits. It is a go-to for me: a retreat, a destination, a source for connection and ideas and community.

Laura Dunn

Artist

Engine is a wonderful place to work surrounded by wonderful people who have infused so much love and light into the downtown of Biddeford. I cannot imagine a bright future in the town without this wonderful organization.

Savanna Pettengill

Artist & Arts Teacher

Engine fuels the creativity of our city, making it the hub for youth and adults alike to feed their spirits, expand their skills, and create a better future for all of us.

Stephanie Edwards

Community Action Committee