In celebration of Fotoweek DC, join us for an evening of discussion with O. Louis Mazzatenta, Amalia Pizzardi, Christie Neptune and Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadalah. Our panelists will discuss how their own work with photography has influenced understanding of other cultures, both internationally and locally. Following the discussion there will be an audience q+a along with a reception.

Doors: 6:30pm
Panel: 7pm

About our Panelists
O. Louis Mazzatenta served as picture editor, director of layout and design, writer and photographer during his 42 year career with National Geographic Society. After retiring in 1994, he continued his photographic and editorial work. He took charge of National Geographic's first foreign language venture in Japanese, the first of many foreign language editions. After the successful Japanese launch, Lou "retired" again and within months was off to China to photograph new excavations at the famous terra-cotta army in Xi'an. Since then, Lou photographed many stories for National Geographic and handled studio and other photographic assignments. His work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, books and other international publications. Exhibitions of his photographs have appeared in China, Japan, Spain, Italy, New York and Washington.

Amalia Pizzardi was born in Italy, where she studied Art and Communication at the University of Bologna under Umberto Eco and received her PhD in Social Sciences. She organized the seventh and eighth editions of the Lyric and Cultural Festival "Valle d'Itria" presenting “Le jeu de l’amour et du hasard” by Marivaux and “Turandot” by F. Busoni, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism and commissioned by the Paolo Grassi Foundation. While living in Mexico, she became convinced that Art can be a vehicle for social change and began to advance this cause by organizing artistic events within the framework of cultural interchanges with other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, Finland, France, Guatemala, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay and the United States. She has participated for years as a juror in competitions and cultural events organized by CNN, the Red Cross Art Auction, Juannio, Latin American Masters’ Auction and private galleries. She is the founder and director of the art gallery “The Gallery Art & Design,” dedicated principally to Latin American art on the vanguard, which has had a presence in Mexico, Italy and the United States, participating in international art fairs such as ArtMiami and MiArt in Milan. She is also the founder and President of “Colors of Life,” a non-profit organization that has sponsored artistic and cultural events, notably an annual international photo contest, to create opportunities for world-wide talented artists while raising awareness and funds on issues that affect children and youth by implementing cross cultural understanding. Colors of Life is dedicated to collaborating with other organizations that strive to make children and youth a social priority.


Christie Neptune (b. 1986) is a Washington, DC based artist, raised in Brooklyn, NY. She received her B.A. in 2009 from Fordham University. In 2015 she participated in More Art’s Engaging Artists Residency. Neptune is currently a Hamiltonian Fellow. Recent shows include a solo exhibition at the Hamiltonian Gallery, Washington, DC (2016); and Five Myles Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2015). She has been included in group exhibitions at the Queens Museum of Art, Queens NY (2016); A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2016); Yeelen Gallery, Miami Fl (2015); The Hamiltonian Gallery, Washington, DC (2015); UnionDocs, Brooklyn, NY (2015); the Momentum Technology Film Fest at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (2014); and 440 Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2011). Her work has been reviewed in Hysterical Feminisms, Psychology Today, JUXTAPOZ, AFROPUNK, The Washington Post and VICE.

Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah was born in Geneva, Switzerland and raised in the Washington, D.C area. She has lived, worked, and exhibited her photographs in Paris, Washington, and the Middle-East. Laila completed a B.A in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Arts & Culture & Photography from George Mason University in 2007. She worked as a photography and gallery assistant in Washington, before moving to Paris in 2009 to study at SPEOS Photographic Institute. Earning a Certificate in Studio Photography, she focused on portrait and fashion photography working with designers including, Sakina M’Sa, Isadora Ducasse and Dognin, before moving back to Washington in 2010. Since her return she has provided consultation services on photography, curating, art direction and exhibition development for galleries, arts-based organizations, creative groups, and artists. Laila has curated, co-curated and produced several photography exhibitions in Washington for various artists, galleries and citywide events, including: Nuit Blanche: Art All Night DC and FotoWeekDC; Adah Rose Gallery, The Middle East Institute’s Arts & Culture Program, The Smith Center for Healing and The Arts, Studio Gallery and The US Fund for UNICEF among others. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, and on Al Hurrah TV, and is in the permanent collection of the Office of Arts in Embassies, U.S. Department of State. She is a Friend of Mark Landis, a member of ArtTable, serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Studio School and is the Founder & Creative Director of Oui Curate.