TONIGHT!!!! FEBRUARY 21, 2019

Join us this evening at 7pm in the Isaak Foyer at Congregation Neveh Shalom.

Our Art Show is entitled ART OF SACRED COMMUNITY and represents months of study in preparation for making art that honors Kehillah....community; sacred community. We are celebrating the synagogue's 150th anniversary!

A multi-media slide show, artist talk and pop-up shuk will accompany free refreshments and an opportunity to schmooze with the artists. Who are those artists? Laura Fendel, Diane Fredgant, Wendelin Russell, and me!

Here are two of my special pieces: Torah Adornments made of glass!

Art of Sacred Community: Panel Discussion

Thursday February 21st, 7pm @ Neveh Shalom   

8831 SW Peaceful Lane  Isaak Foyer 

I will be part of an Art Talk about this wonderful exhibit. This photo represents a very small piece of what is on display.

We will present a multimedia slide show, talk about our process and journey, and take questions.

I hope you can come.... share in the conversation, enjoy some nibbles, and learn about our process!

Gratitude!

Artists do not need to work in isolation!

Our artists' guild offers artists the opportunity to be part of what we call critique groups, but really...they are support groups.

Each group is different and has a different way of operating.
The group I am part of is small. We all work in different media:
Silk painting, fabric construction, painting, bead work, and glass.

We come together to inspire each other, problem solve, study, and eat!

Most recently we  took on the challenge of creating art to celebrate Congregation Neveh Shalom's 150th anniversary!  Our work is going up in the Isaak Foyer and the exhibit will open February 10th. More about that in a future post.

This is my part one gratitude post. What would I do without the amazing women who have over the years encouraged and motivated me...and more importantly have consulted with me and on occasion, made elements to add on to my project?

I created a torah adornment (aka breastplate) that needed that extra bit of bling. Esther Liberman, our bead artist came to my rescue.
Don't let my poor photography skills take away from the beauty of these beads. They enhance the project in so many ways. Her choice of color, size, and texture all make for a stunning bit of embellishment. I'll post photos of the competed projects in another post. Looking at this photo I realize I need to get a better close up so you can appreciate the tiny copper elements sandwiched between glass beads.

Due to traveling, Esther was unable to create new work for this exhibition, but she has been involved with our process throughout. Esther is also our guild president and co-founder of the organization. 

Thank you Esther! You are amazing!      

Want to see her incredible artwork? Go to our ORA website or google: Esther Liberman bead artist. The work she does will amaze you!

They Were Framed!

I've been privileged to work in the Mensches & Mavens program (M&Ms) at my synagogue (Neveh Shalom).  We match up 7th graders (mensches in training) with older congregants (mavens!)

The M&Ms met once a month for the entire school year doing a variety of activities , study, and some schmoozing. Secretly, the kids made fused glass photo frames for their mavens (and wrote lovely pantoums to them for the back side), while also secretly, the mavens made frames and pantoums for their mensches. Zoom in to see the great work. (There were two tables of frames!!!!)

I haven't posted much on my blog in awhile because my kiln was tied up with this project for some time. The gifts were traded a couple weeks ago ...and all seem rather joyous about the process. 

Next...I need to pull my studio together and do some clean up!
I am almost done with a commission...and then it will be time to begin creating new work for the fall ORA show. Posting will be sporadic this summer, but I will get some new pieces done!

Stay tuned.....and ...thanks for following my blog!

It Is A Tree of Life!

The tree was mounted yesterday. The leaves were mounted today.

Words fail to adequately express my joy at seeing this project in its final phase. 

Here are the basic tidbits of information.
• it is located in the foyer of the sanctuary at Neveh Shalom
• it is part of the rededication of the foyer in honor of Rabbi Daniel Isaac who retired following 22 years of service to this Portland shul.
• the tree design was created by Gary Pearlman, a talented artist and devoted congregant who helped with the leaf placement today.

• Gary hired Gustav Sculptor and Richard Cawley worked from Gary's drawing and calligraphy.
• I crafted the leaves and operate the glue tube.

I am grateful to my husband Jeff who climbed the ladder today to place the leaves (as directed!)

NEW SHOW OPENS JANUARY 10!

The artwork is up and the labels will be attached shortly!
Sorry...no preview pix!

Featured artists: Michelle Katz, Robert Brenner, Jeff Israel, Glenn Decherd.....and me!

Congregation Neveh Shalom is our host for 2 months.
Come to an evening celebrating Shabbat, music, and art!
It all begins at 7:30pm. If you come early, you can spend more time with the art!

8831 SW Peaceful Lane..... Services will be led by Cantor Debbie Bletstein and accompanied by Ed Kraus & Klezmocracy. Special Guest performer Beth Hamon will round out the program.

I'll have a quick minute to talk about our art show. Join us for cookies, coffee, and schmoozing and take a look at some extra pieces of art we will have on display just for the evening.

See you there?

STRUGGLING WITH IDENTITY!

That's the name of the new show I'll be in- opening January 10th 2014 @ Neveh Shalom
2900 SW Peaceful Lane.

PDX Live is an amazing Friday Night Service featuring Cantor Deborah Bletstein. On the 10th guest musician Beth Hammon will also perform along with the fabulous pdx band: Klezmocracy.

ORA artists are featured at each PDX Live. This show will remain in place through March 2nd.

STRUGGLING WITH IDENTITY will feature artists Glenn Decherd (ceramics), Michelle Katz (painting), Robert Brenner (photography), Dr. Jeff Israel (stained glass), and me!

Each of us has a different take on the theme...it will be fun to see how this all comes together.

We'll all be there to show our work and welcome questions and conversation about the art and our varied inspirations.

I'll post pix of everyone's work after January 6th.
Most, if not all the work will be available for purchase...just not on Friday night. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Neveh Shalom.

We are indebted to them for their gracious hosting of our art events

LAST MONTH to see my work at Neveh Shalom

The ORA exhibit at Neveh Shalom will be up through the beginning of February. My Torah ornaments and bowls are a part of that display.


The second Friday night  of each month at Neveh is called ORA Shalom: A Shabbat for the Senses.
On January 13th (7:30pm)Cantor Bletstein will rock the house as she chants the service accompanied by local band KLEZMOCRACY.


It's a cool service! Artists will be on hand in the lobby to chat with congregants after the service. WIne and refreshments are available.


Come on over...introduce yourself to me and let's schmooze a bissel!

NEW SHOW OPENS 9/9/11

Friday Night services at Neveh Shalom every second Friday of the month will be a service for the senses called ORA SHALOM. 


Artist members of ORA will be on rotation showing their work. For the next two months, several artists INCLUDING ME will be showing a sampling of our art. 


Services begin at 6:16. Tonight we will pray in the courtyard and then head to the lobby to view art and schmooze with artists. 


Above is a sample of my work on display. It is dichro on dichro and is called MAGEN (which means shield.)

PDX LIVE!!!!!!!!! and ORA Shalom!

Neveh Shalom Friday May 13th at 6:15 pm.....An amazing soulful and spiritual Friday evening service!

Cantor Deborah Betstein will be accompanied by various musicians including the rhythm section of the awesome local band Klezmocracy!

The second Friday night of each month is an Art Shabbat.... more music, art in the lobby, and really good davenning.

2900 SW Peaceful Lane, PDX..... Some of my art work is on display in the main sanctuary foyer along with some gorgeous works by my sisters in art! Come check it out.....see ya there!

Neveh Shalom/ORA Shalom Exhibit Opens Friday

Congregation Neveh Shalom is host to a unique Friday night service called ORA Shalom....a wonderful name combining our art group (ORA) and Shalom from Neveh Shalom...together it means light of peace.

Each second Friday night of the month will be dedicated to art and creativity and Hiddur Mitzvah.

April 8th services begin at 6:15. They are brief but tuneful . Cantor Bletstein wil incorporate the theme of the art show (GATES) into the prayers and music.... During the Kiddush following services Laurie endel will say a few words about our group show and the theme of Gates.

On display, I have a new seder plate on display and a breast plate I made last year that fits the theme.  The works are wonderful and I hope many of you can come either to services or another time to view this group show which will remain through the end of May.

Although I am disappointed I couldn't bring my other gateways piece to life (yet) , it is still being designed and it will be done when it is done! I learned a long time ago never to rush a good thing!

Torah Adornments / Breast Plates

I'm not sure what my resistance is to calling them breast plates- I just prefer the term adornments!

Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland, Oregon has been kind enough to offer ORA (my art group) display space. The High Holiday show opened today and will close October 5th. Much of our work is Judaica based...and the rest is spiritual in nature and represents the hard work of my artist colleagues.

I don 't have much to display since I haven't been able to create new items, but I am displaying a fused glass seder plate and a Torah Adornment.  Rabbi Brad Greenstein has agreed to display two additional Adornments on Torahs we'll use in the downstairs services he'll be leading with Cantor Ilene Safyan.

I am so honored....and so excited. I have been using the adornments to mark an eastern interior wall of my house...each, a mizrach. I love looking at them there, but seeing them actually on a Torah.....I can't explain the feelings I have! Much gratitude to the shul...and Rabbi Brad!