JANE MEANS: NEW ART EXHIBIT!!!!

WE'RE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THIS ART SHOW ON BEHALF OF ORA MEMBER JANE MEANS!!!!!!

Rosalyn Kliot Update!

Rosalyn's work can be seen July 5-31 at the New Seasons Market  7703 Nyberg St. Tualitan, OR

This is a Solo Art Exhibit and the work is stunning!!!!!

See a sample of her work in the last post just below this!

Rosalyn Kliot Solo Art Exhibit!

"Tree Series No. 7"

ORA member Rosalyn Kliot will have a solo art exhibit from May 5 through May 30 at Village Frame & Gallery in Multnomah Village.  The exhibit is entitled 'Verticality.'

A First-Friday reception will be on May 6th from 
6 to 9 pm.  Come see Rosalyn's beautiful collage work!  We're so proud of her!

Village Frame & Gallery
7808 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
Tues through Sat 10-6
503.245.8001

JOIN ORA NOW!!!!!

We're excited to share the benefits of belonging to a Jewish Arts Collective!
Come to our Annual meeting on June 5th at Neveh Shalom and meet us!

Our meeting will begin at 2....if you would like to be an exhibiting artists, you'll need to jury,
but that isn't a requirement for membership!

QUESTIONS? Write us!  oraartists@gmail.com

JAM starts TODAY!!!

JAM (Jewish Arts Month) IS:
3 weeks of rotating art exhibits: 
a different set of artists each week

Exhibits are in the lobby of Mittleman Jewish Community Center
6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, Oregon

All art is available for sale.  Admission is free.

Each exhibit goes up on Sunday, and comes down on Friday.


Week #1 (Feb 28 - March 4) 
Glenn Decherd, Ellen Green, Brauna Ritchie, Wendy Russell, Sharon Segal

Week #2 (March 6-11) 
Jane Means, Diane Moeglein, Diane Russell, Joyce Shields, Bob Sorkin

Week #3 (March 13-18) 
Diane Fredgant, Ros Kane, Esther Liberman, Eddy Shuldman, Julia Waco

DIANE RUSSELL ON KOIN TV NEWS!

Kudos to ORA's wonderful artist/member Diane Russell. We're using one of her paintings to advertise JAM.

Click on the link or paste it into your browser.

MAZAL TOV Diane!!!!! We are so very proud of you!

http://koin.com/?s=diane+russell

check out her blog:
http://www.dianerussell.net/blog/

JEWISH ARTS MONTH

6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland Oregon

Sunday-Friday you'll find a different exhibit of art.

All art for sale!!!! come see us!

Dani Dennenberg

SHARON SEGAL: Lifelong Artist and Educator

This is the first in our new series of articles about ORA artists.
Tune in regularly to learn about our uniquely talented artists!

One of two studio spaces in Sharon’s home. 

by Abby Cohen

Sharon studied Art history, Studio art and Elementary education at UCLA. In her profession as a teacher, Sharon always included art in her lessons. 

Sharon uses many media, and enjoys painting, sculpture and drawing. She is more interested in self-expression than in any particular technique. 

Why art? “I don't know. It's just something that I do, it's a passion that I have. I'm a visual person and a visual learner. It makes me feel good to see something that is "me". And once it is done, I can't even believe I did it; I don't even know where it came from or remember the process. Some higher force made me do it. One of my teachers once said, ‘First you work with your heart and then, you work with your mind.’ I think that is true for me.”

I asked Sharon about her process and inspirations. She said, “I start with an idea; usually it’s the subject matter, rather than a color, or form, medium, or material. So I often start with a concept, and then I get a ideas about how best to do it. I take a lot of classes and workshops whenever I can. Sometimes my inspiration is from a class I took, something I’ve just learned, and I get excited about that.” 

Sharon said that she does not have a particular linear process, or one way of thinking about making art. "I think all different ways." Sharon likes to maintain a looseness in her work and does not create tightly controlled pieces. She loves the feeling when starting a new piece, enjoying likes the freedom that comes before decisions have to be made. Her favorite moment however comes when she looks at her work afterwards and says, “I did that!.”   

Sharon used to paint in oils, but the fumes and long waiting time for the paint to dry inspired her to switch to acrylics. Sharon loves color, but is also drawn to color, and lately has been doing more pieces in black and white. She enjoys working in 2D and 3D equally well. Finding new materials is very exciting for Sharon; lately she has been adding drywall compound to her paintings, and another new tool is a Gelli printing plate, which allows one to print without a printing press. 

Some of Sharon’s recent explorations in clay. 

Sharon takes an intuitive approach to much of her work, and loves to stand back and say, “Wow, I like this!”

Is there any part of the process that she doesn't like? “When it feels like it’s not working.. You have to get in my head and know what I'm trying to say. I just want to express what I want to express but sometimes it's hard to do that. Sometimes something in the elements will bother me: wrong size element, wrong color. I like when people's work pops and I wonder how to make my work pop. I take classes a lot. I want to learn more about how to make color pop. I used to do all bright, but I realize now you do a little bright, and if you do all neutral colors and a little bright, it can be more effective.” 

Sharon aspires to take a break from painting and devote some serious time to working with clay. She has begun to make clay vessels, and wants to delve more deeply into that medium.

The most inspiring places for Sharon are the ocean, the beach, and also just walking around her neighborhood. She looks at everything, and finds inspiration in her backyard, in ginkgo leaves and other everyday elements of her surroundings. She has taken inspiration from the life cycle of a camellia, and flowers growing between gravestones in a cemetery. 

Judaism sometimes influences Sharon’s  work through embellishment. Being with ORA and Jewish singing groups, and other connections with the Jewish community have informed several series of works. “If we have an art project, such as (one we did about) Miriam, I do research, ,and it has helped me delve into Judaism.” 

Painting inspired by Tu B’Shevat

Sharon’s energy is irrepressible. She said she is “hard to pin down; I’m all over the place. I never get everything done. I like reading, exercise, meditation, painting. I don't make a schedule. I let my day flow.”

ORA artists Diane Moeglein and Victoria Epstein will be selling their beautiful artwork at this event, along with many others.  Come on down… it'll be great!

Click on this flier to see it larger:

Support Our Artists!

ORA's very talented jewelry designer, VICTORIA EPSTEIN, is a featured artist in this year's Holiday Gallery of Lake Oswego.  This gallery show will be open for about a month, highlighting the work of about 30 local artists. It is hosted by the Arts Council of Lake Oswego, in their 510 Museum Artspace.  There will be an opening reception on Friday evening, November 20th as well as a First Friday reception on December 4th.  Holiday Gallery hours are Tuesdays - Saturdays 11am to 6pm, from November 20 through December 23.

510 Museum Artspace is located at
510 First St in Lake Oswego, OR
(503) 675-3738

****************

Also, Victoria and our glass artist DIANE MOEGLEIN will be participating in this year's Holiday Extravaganza a Congregation Kol Ami in Vancouver on November 22 from 10am to 4pm. 

CKA is located at
7800 NE 119th St in Vancouver, WA
(360) 896-8088

Come out to support our artists AND have a great time!

What a Party!!

       This weekend's TASTE OF ART and 
CELEBRATION OF ART were resounding successes!!
Huge thank-you's go to everyone who worked so hard to make this pair of events so wonderful, to our beloved volunteers, generous donors & vendors, and also to everyone who came out and supported us!

Celebrations of ART!!

SAVE THE DATES:
 
       Saturday, October 17  
                & Sunday, October 18

TASTE OF ART party: 
Food for the body and soul!

Saturday, October 17th from 7 to 9:30 pm the TASTE OF ART preview party will fill Mittleman Jewish Community Center's Ballroom to the brim with original works of art, wine and food tastings, beer tastings from Ambacht Brewing (including their famous Matzobrau Beer) and Gompers Gin, 
live music, and a preview of Sunday's CELEBRATION OF ART sale.

Sunday, October 18th from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, will be our 9th annual CELEBRATION OF ART  exhibit and sale in the MJCC Ballroom.  
ORA - Northwest Jewish Artists is the only arts organization devoted to promoting art created by Jewish artists in Oregon and Washington. The sale will feature original art work in many media by over 20 of these Jewish artists.  George Fendel and Rich Garber will be providing music as visitors browse the aisles of art.

With every $25 spent on art at Saturday's 
Taste of Art or Sunday's Celebration of Art, the buyer will receive a RAFFLE ticket toward one of five distinct prize packages.  Prizes include a fabulous date-night downtown at the Westin Portland, a Hillsdale/Multnomah gift basket, an Art of Cooking package, and more!  The raffle drawing will be held at 4 pm on Sunday; buyers need not be present to win.

Both events have free admission. Come nourish your spirit!

Designing A Better Art Booth!

Special Guest Instructor Fred Harwin assesses the work of Team 3

ORA artists were a busy bunch last Sunday. 

Fred Harwin isn't your average consultant/instructor. He's an ocularist, medical illustrator, artist, AND..he also holds a degree in interior architecture.

ORA artists heard a number of basic design principles and suggestions. They were then broken into 3 teams and had to set up an show table within a time limit.

Giggles and friendly debates ensued as each team wrestled with a variety of objects. It was great fun! 

Following the set up, Fred led us all on a walk-about. We toured each table and discussed what worked and what could be better.

Thank you Fred! You were charming, patient, humorous, and taught us well!!!!!!

Call for Jewish Artists!

Theatre Reviews: 4000 Miles

http://dennissparksreviews.blogspot.com/2015/05/4000-milesartists-repsw-portland.html

http://www.broadwayworld.com/portland/article/BWW-Reviews-4000-MILES-Is-Funny-and-Poignant-Just-Like-Life-at-Artists-Rep-20150508#

Glowing reviews for the current production of Amy Herzog's '4000 Miles,' playing at Artists Repertory Theatre. In the lobby and lounge of the theatre you will find ORA's themed exhibit, in conjunction with Geezer Gallery.  The play runs through May 24th. Don't miss it!

A.R.T./Geezer/ORA: A Trifecta

TRIFECTA! I humbly redefine this term to mean: when three non-profit art groups collaborate around the themes from Amy Herzog's wonderful play, 4000 MILES. Artist Repertory Theater (1515 SW Morrison), Geezer Gallery, and our humble artist collective, ORA Northwest Jewish Artists. 

President Obama was in town last night, which translated into some traffic jams near the theater...but "the show must go on!"...and so it did! 
We had a wonderful turn out...the mood was lively and of course the play was fantastic...a must see!

If you missed our First Thursday event, don't despair! This Saturday May 9 you can drop by the theater between 6:30-7:30 to schmooze with some artists and see/buy art! Better yet, buy a ticket to the play and see it all! The gallery is also free and open to the public Tues-Sat from noon-6pm!

Thank you A.R.T. and thank you Geezer. Two remarkable gems that bless this community!

Come Celebrate With Us This Thursday!

It's this Thursday! How exciting! 
The Artists' Reception for our latest exhibit is this Thursday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 at Geezer Gallery - Artists Repertory Theatre, celebrating the play "4000 Miles." There will be food and champagne, a chance to meet the artists, and to see the special works of art that our artists have created for this show. Admission to the reception is free… come join us!

Leslie Elder: "4,000 Miles" Portraits

This is one of of several portraits Leslie has on display at Artist Repertory Theatre in downtown Portland. The show has been juried and curated by Geezer Gallery and opens May 7th at 6:45 pm.  As mentioned in previous posts, the art in the show is based on themes in the current play "4000 Miles." The subject of this beautiful portrait is Sonia Liberman, mother-in-law of ORA artist Esther Liberman. 

All the artists in the show read the play, used their imaginations, and created art to reflect the characters and/or themes of the play. Leslie says "I wanted a strong woman with a gleam in her eye to represent Vera, one of the leading characters in the play."

Come to our opening on May 7th and meet Sonia (the model), Leslie (the artist), and Vera (the portrait).   Buy tickets to the play and meet Vera, the character."

Edited May 8th: model, artist, and portrait came together at our opening reception last night!

HOW THE 4000 MILES ART SHOW/TRIFECTA GETS SET UP

9 AM: Artists arrive and deliver their art
10 AM: A few more artists deliver their work...
meanwhile we begin gently unwrapping each individual piece of art, carefully leaning paintings and photographs against the walls, draping fabric art over the cushioned benches, and  3-D pieces were spread out on tables.
11AM: Patricia (curator) begins painting display stands. Diane and Eddy take apart the frames that will eventually hold the titles and prices of all the artwork.
NOON: Break for a little wine and lunch at Gilda's

1PM Patty sends Eddy and Diane home. Patty and Amy survey the art and begin to imagine where everything will go.

4000 miles...special theater hosted events!

GEEZER GALLERY IS HOSTING ORA ARTISTS FOR A MONTH LONG EXHIBIT THAT 
coincides with the staging of AMy Herzog's play 4000 miles! (April 28-May 2, 2015)

A.R.T. is a wonderful theater with a long history of staging high quality theater.

ORA is honored to be included in this wonderful event. 

*THERE WILL BE SEVERAL GEEZER HOSTED EVENTS. WE'LL ANNOUNCE THESE SOON.

.........MEANWHILE...... here's some useful information from A.R.T's website

BEHIND THE SCENES:

Join the cast and crew for a post-show discussion after the 2pm matinees on May 3, 10, 13, 17, 24. There will be an ASL-interpreted post-show discussion on May 23. 

Make your theatre experience even more rewarding! Join us for Happy Hours, Surprise Nights, post-show discussions with cast & crew and so much more! Click here for a full schedule of activities. 

PRODUCTION HISTORY: 4000 Miles premiered as part of Lincoln Center Theater’s new works initiative LCT2 in 2011 and became the first play from LCT3 to graduate to a full Off-Broadway run at Lincoln Center Theater in 2012. The production won the Obie Award for Best New Play, the New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, and Times Magazine’s #1 Play or Musical in 2012. Herzog’s play was also a Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2013.  

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT: Amy Herzog graduated with an MFA in playwriting from Yale School of Drama. Only a few years after her graduation, Herzog’s career as a playwright took off. Her plays include After The Revolution (Williamstown Theater Festival; Playwrights Horizons; Lilly Award), 4000 Miles (Lincoln Center; Obie Award for Best New American Play, Pulitzer Prize Finalist), The Great God Plan (Playwrights Horizons), and Belleville (Yale Rep; New York Theatre Workshop; Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Finalist, Drama Desk Nomination). Herzog is also the recipient of the Whiting Writers Award, the Benjamin H. Danks Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Helen Merrill , the Joan and Joseph Cullman Award for Extraordinary Creativity, and the New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award. 

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:

Alana came to Portland in 1979 to become a member of The New Rose Theatre, founded by friends she knew from her undergraduate years at the University of Minnesota. Some favorite shows from that era include Hay Fever, Design for Living, Hedda Gabler, Crimes of the Heart,Talley’s Folly, She Stoops to Conquer, A Moon for the Misbegotten and Long Day’s Journey into Night.

She soon began to work at other theatres in town and her history with Artists Rep goes back (almost) to its very beginning. She directed The Mound Builders, the theatre’s second show, followed by Angels Fall, and Toys in the Attic in the next two seasons. Alana then attended graduate school at Ohio University, where she earned an MFA in Directing; spending her summers at The Monomoy Theatre on Cape Cod. 

Upon returning to Portland she directed Ten November and A Lie of the Mind for Storefront Theatre. She became the Associate Artistic Director of The Oregon Stage Company, where she directed The Heidi Chronicles, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Misanthrope and Smoke on the Mountain (where she met her husband, Grant Byington). 

She returned to Artists Rep several times over the years, as an actor and director, most recently directing Enchanted April and String of Pearls. Other recent credits include several shows at Northwest Classical Theatre Company, among them Bloody Poetry, Arms and the Man and Hamlet. 

PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES:Dates: April 28 - May 24Performances: Wednesday - Sunday @ 7:30pm; Sunday @ 2pm; 4th week Saturday @ 2pm
Opening Night is Saturday, May 2

Prepping for Trifecta

Over a dozen ORA artists gathered to explore each other's work in anticipation of A.R.T.'s productionof 4000 miles. Amy Henderson with Geezer Gallery attended and offered invaluable advice!

A display of some of the 3D responses to 4000 Miles!

Getting ready for a group show and jury takes a good bit of effort!

Months ago, interested ORA members met several times to read the play 4000 Miles and discuss the various ways we might approach the themes of the play within our various media. 

Lots of brain storming! Lots of ideas!...and then off to our individual studios to create.

A few months later we met to look at each other's creations . We offered  feed back, recommendations, and discussed pricing.

The jury results are in... we'll be posting names and images soon!

The show will go up April 22nd....and the artist's reception will be May 6th. Stay tuned for the details!

Go to  for more information about tickets to the play!

There is a special package offer for dinner at Jamison Restaurant and theater tix!!!!! CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!!

http://www.artistsrep.org/learn-about-us/trifecta.aspx

Brauna Ritchie is at Jamison Restaurant

First Thursday at Jamison featured Brauna's mixed media glass art. The art displays there are curated by Geezer Gallery!

Great news: these fantastic pieces are all available for purchase! 

Jamison Restaurant is a fantastic place to dine and see art.
There's a great dinner and theater package coming soon....all timed to go with the opening of the play 4000 miles at Artist Repertory Theater. Twenty ORA artists will display work in the theater lobby.

This fabulous exhibit is the brainchild of Amy Henderson, director of Geezer Gallery. The upcoming show is called TRIFECTA. More information coming shortly!

TRIFECTA: Art Show links 3 non-profits!

It opens May 6.... click on this link or cut and paste it into your browser.....All the details are here!

http://www.artistsrep.org/learn-about-us/trifecta.aspx

ORA artists are so proud to be hosted by Geezer Gallery and ArtistsRepertory Theater..

Jamison Restaurant has joined in a sweet package deal so you can enjoy an amazing dinner, come to the theater, meet artists, BUY art, see the play.... OH WHAT A SWEET DEAL!

More information will be posted here soon....but why wait? Check out the link!

J.A.M. was Sweet!

This year's Jewish Arts Month (JAM) celebration was a huge success!  Four weeks of rotating art exhibits in the beautiful lobby of Mittleman Jewish Community Center brought together artists, patrons, staffers, and JCC members for a joyous sharing of art.

Great thank-you wishes go out to our dedicated artists, generous patrons, wonderful JCC staff, and our hard-working director of this event.  Chazak!

JAM is Happening NOW!!

Jewish Arts Month (JAM) is on a roll!  A whirlwind series of week-long art displays in the lobby of Mittleman Jewish Community Center.  See the work up-close, talk to the artist on duty, buy something special for your home.

Week #1 was March 1-6, featuring the works of Barbara Berger, Bob Brenner, Glenn Decherd, and Sharon Segal.

Week #2 is almost over, featuring the works of Michelle Katz, Jane Means, Diane Moeglein, Brauna Ritchie, and Diane Russell.

Week # 3 begins this Sunday, March 15th, featuring the works of Victoria Epstein, Laura Fendel, Ros Kane, Esther Liberman, and Eddy Shuldman.

There will be a featured artist in week #4, to be announced soon.

A portion of all sales during Jewish Arts Month benefit Mittleman JCC.

Gearing up for the Trifecta!

Trifecta is the name of our upcoming Art Exhibit and Sale at ART Theater in conjunction with Geezer Gallery. Three non-profit groups have joined forces to celebrate art in it's many glorious forms.

Pictured above is sculptor and silk artist Diane Fredgant and blacksmith artist Nitzan Lilie posing with their amazing work. One hundred pounds of steel (no welding!!!!!) have been crafted into a metal dance with sculpted alabaster.  You will just have to come see it in person, to believe it! The show will open in May...We'll post more information in the coming weeks!

Two Artists Explore Collage

by Laura Fendel

by Brauna Ritchie

ORA artists Laurie and Brauna took a collage workshop from Teresa Weil. You'll typically find Laurie creating fabric art, while Brauna works in fused glass and mixed media.

Looking at their work here you can easily see the influences of their usual media as they approached collage under Teresa's tutelage!!!!!    Great stuff Laurie and Brauna! It will be interesting to see the influence of this class on your chosen media!        

ORA Shalom Exhibit at Neveh Shalom

 The pictures don't do it justice; you have to see this exhibit in person! Kudos to Leslie Elder and Bob Brenner for curating a lovely exhibit of work by four ORA artists:Ceramics by Linda Bourne,     Beadwork by Esther Liberman,          Photography by Richard Lishner,               Fused Glass by Diane MoegleinThese works will be on display through mid-March, in the display cases outside the main sanctuary. Come by and visit!

Congregation Neveh Shalom

2900 SW Peaceful Lane

Portland, OR 97239

503.246.8831

  

New ORA Shalom Exhibit

A new ORA Shalom exhibit opens tomorrow (Friday) at Congregation Neveh Shalom, in the display cases outside the main Sanctuary. Come by and see the works of Linda Bourne, Richard Lishner, Esther Liberman, and Diane Moeglein.  The exhibit runs for two months. Admission is free.
www.northwestjewishartists.org/events.html

Congregation Neveh Shalom
2900 SW Peaceful Lane
Portland, OR  97239
503-246-8831

Beer, Spirits,and Food- OH MY!

Widmer makes high quality beer and we were so very fortunate to experience their generosity at our Taste of Art Event. Thank you Widmer for donating free beer samples to our crowd!

Visit their brew pub for wonderful food and great beer!!!!! Grab some bottles to keep in the fridge I've got some in my fridge right now!).... It's some of the best beer around!    THANK YOU WIDMER!!!!!!!

It's time to confess....I don't usually drink spirits. I am a wine and beer gal. Eastside has made a convert out of me!  Everything I sampled was wonderful but the rum won my heart. I fell in love with the ginger spiced rum! 

Thank You Eastside for your generosity in donating samples to our art opening.  I have yet to visit any of your 5 stores....but that will soon change.   Folks, you have to sample their products....liquers, spirits....they do tours!   

Who makes the best felafel in pdx? These folks do! You have to visit their food cart on Interstate....they will rock your tastebuds. Incredible pate' and bruschetta was on their menu at our art event. 

All I need now is an excuse to throw a party.....I would hire these folks to cater in a heart beat. Thank you CHICKPEADX, so very much for your generosity!