JANE MEANS: NEW ART EXHIBIT!!!!

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

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

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.”

A Taste of Art: CUPCAKES!!!!!!

One of the biggest hits of our "Taste of Art" evening were the cupcakes hand made/decorated by ORA's own Ros Kane. She decorated these cupcakes in the genres of our art" pottery, glass, metal, paintings, photography...some folks thought they weren't edible....and delighted in accepting the challenge to take a bite...DELECTABLE!!!!!! creative! artistic! WOW!!!!!!!!! Thank you Ros for your stunning generosity and creativity!

COME, PARTY, BUY ART!!!!!!

Just in  case the fine print is too fine....
    join us for the festivities at Portland's MJCC 6651 SW Capitol Hwy
Saturday evening Nov 22: A TASTE OF ART! 7-9:30pm
free admission, free samples of wine, beer, distilled spirits, food!
Hear the awesome band THE NOTED, a new band in town!

Over 20 artists will have their work on display and available for sale.

Sunday Nov 23: Celebration of Art
Discover beautiful artwork perfect for holiday giving or as a treat for yourself!

Free Admission!   BONUS RAFFLE.....Receive a raffle ticket for every $25 spent on art! Winners need not be present. THe drawing will happen Sunday afternoon at 4pm!

TRUNK SALE

Our event coordinators Brauna Ritchie and Sharon Segal did a great job organizing our first TRUNK SHOW! 

We are grateful to our host The Mittleman Jewish Community Center for everything they did to support this art sale!

THANK YOU BRAUNA & SHARON!
THANK YOU MJCC-Portland!

Call For Artists!

We are now accepting applications for Guest Artists to sell at this year's Celebration of Art!  We are also accepting new Membership applications. Come join this exciting, thriving group of Jewish artists…. check out our website for more information, and application forms.

http://www.northwestjewishartists.org

NEXT ORA SHOW: JANUARY 10, 2014!

Join 5 ORA artists when their show opens in conjunction with PDX LIVE at Neveh Shalom.

Michelle Katz, Glenn Decherd, Dr. Jeff Israel, Robert Brenner, & Eddy Shuldman will all present works of art influenced by the theme: Struggling with Identity 

Great music, a wonderful Friday Night service, inspired art, refreshments = A Memorable Evening!

Art work is available for sale but can not be purchased until after Shabbat. A portion of the proceeds will go to Neveh Shalom. 

We are most grateful to them for their on-going support!

Eddy Shuldman: Putting It All Together!

Eddy Shuldman is the leader of ORA. She holds us all together, working a million behind-the-scene details like puzzle pieces, while tutoring kids and adults, and all the while creating inspiring art works of fused glass. Her latest piece is an ambitious combination of glass pieces and wood, which seems symbolic of her leadership style.
Eddy's glass work has been purchased and commissioned throughout the world, and we are so privileged to have her incredible energy guiding us. Come enjoy her spirit and her art this Sunday, November 3rd, at

CELEBRATION OF ART 2013! 

10:30-4:30 

at Mittleman Jewish Community Center

6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, Oregon

FREE PREVIEW!!!!!!!!

      COME CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW!

Yup! All week long you can see our teaser....
just a few pieces of art to "whet your whistle."
    
You don't need to be a member to look at the art!

Stop by the MJCC (6651 SW Capitol Hwy) anytime during their open hours to see this preview.

Celebration of Art will happen on Sunday, November 3rd from 10:30-4:30. Twenty five plus artists all under one roof....

Free admission, Awesome Art, and Live Music!

Sharon Segal: painting with soul

Sharon is a painter who thrives on vibrant colors. That said, she also is masterful with the subtle shades as well! 

Some of her work embraces soulful judaic themes (Shefa or abundance is the theme of her painting above.)

We are grateful to Sharon for coordinating our upcoming art show Celebration of Art '13. It isn't easy to create a new body of work while attending to all the details of coordinating 25+ artists!

Come on down next Sunday...introduce yourself to Sharon and savor her beautiful work!

November 3, 2013  @ the MJCC  6651 SW Capitol Hwy

             The deli will be open for business... 

          free admission, fabulous art, & live music!

Best in Show!

Ora member Anna Kodesch was a featured artist in a recent show at SeaPort! The Port of Portland's Terminal 4 opened to the public for a special day of art, family fun and exploration of a working marine terminal that is normally closed to the public. 

The Waterfront and Me juried art exhibition featured work from local artists displayed inside a myriad of shipping containers. ORA member, Anna Kodesch, won the people's choice award at the event, August 17th, 2013.

We are very proud of Anna and her latest artistic endeavor!

CALLING ALL LOCAL JEWISH ARTISTS!!!

Painting by Jonathon Lietz, ORA member

CALL TO ARTISTS- JUNE 1 Deadline

May 2013

ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists is a collective of local Jewish artists.  We are pleased to announce that we will jury new guest artists for our annual autumn fine art & fine craft show, A Celebration of Art 2013.  In addition to our regular members, we are pleased to include the work of a limited number of guest artists each year.

This year’s Celebration of Art will take place on Sunday, November 3^rd in the beautiful Ballroom of Mittleman Jewish Community Center in Southwest Portland.  We hope you will submit samples of your artwork to be juried for inclusion in this year’s art & fine craft show.  Our anonymous jury panel is comprised of professional artists, instructors, and occasionally gallery owners.

Only ORA members and their juried guests will have the opportunity to show and sell their work. This will be an arts show, not a holiday bazaar or craft fair.  We wish to feature the best artwork local Jewish artists are producing.  Although we will feature Jewish artists, the artwork need not reflect a Jewish theme.

There is a $25 jury fee for guest artists. Payment of the jury fee should be a check made payable to ORA, and should accompany your application, which must be received by 

June 1, 2013.   The jurying of guest art will take place on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland.  Art samples are to be delivered and retrieved in person on that day; only out-of-town artists may submit photos instead.  Please see the Jury Application online for detailed information and instructions:

http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/juryinfo2013.doc

Print out the application to fill it in.  Complete the application and mail it with your Jury Fee payment, payable to “ORA,” to the address below. 

ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists 

c/o Diane Fredgant

6008 SW 47th Ave

Portland OR 97221

QUESTIONS?  Please e-mail us:  oraartists@gmail.com

Last chance to see the exhibit at Art on Broadway

ORA at Art on Broadway will end Dec 29th.

Affordable art makes for a long lasting and meaningful gift.

We'll post pictures soon but there's nothing like seeing our art up close and personal!

ORA ARTISTS IN BEAVERTON!

Art on Broadway is a gallery in downtown Beaverton. Several ORA artists juried in to a one month show which will be up the entire month of December.

This is a beautiful little gallery representing numerous artists. Each month they rent a portion of the gallery to an art group. ORA was delighted to be invited! This morning we delivered our art and their co-op members juried our work. Selected items will be hung/displayed and all are available for sale!

The new show opens December 3rd.....and December 10th is the reception, from 6-9 and we hope our friends will come celebrate ... shop for art!

12570 SW Broadway, Beaverton OR 97005 - ph: 503.601.3300

Jewish Photographers 1890-2011

Carole Glauber is a former member of ORA. Her photography adventures have shifted to doing research, writing and speaking. Those of you with a passion for photography might appreciate this new class offered by Melton.

Here's the info:

WINTER: Picture This! Jewish Photographers

(5 sessions: Jan. 10-Feb. 7, 9:15-10:30) @ Congregation Shaarie Torah

$90 Tuition

$10 Materials

Developed and taught by Carole Glauber

Through readings, discussions, and photographs, we will explore

photographic work by a diverse number of Jewish photographers from

1890 to the present, and along the way we’ll examine history, culture,

technology, and changing religious beliefs that impacted the

development of their photographic style and subject matter.

TO REGISTER:

Morasha/Melton Mini-School
7410 SW Oleson Rd, #404
Portland, OR 97223

(503) 384-2476
rachel@meltonportland.org

www.meltonportland.org

SWEET LIVE MUSIC WILL FILL THE ROOM!

•Borrowing from the Haggadah....Why is this Art Sale different from all other sales in the whole year?


• Our sale is housed in the elegant ballroom of Mittleman Jewish Community Center
• LOCAL ARTISTS creating secular and Judaic art
• live demo of portrait painitng
• Booths are comfortably spaced so customers can move about easily without that crowded feel
• Our artists remain in their booths, available to YOU. The great romance of owning art purchased directly from the artist....is that you recall the experience of the purchase!

• sweet LIVE music will fill the room!

••• George in the morning GEORGE FENDEL, Jazz Pianist and DJ ...

-

Year after year George Fendel comes to our Art Shows , sits down at the piano and delights us all with his amazing piano playing talents. He is also a popular DJ at KMHD radio....where he not only plays some of the best jazz you'll heart on the radio, but he also teaches (not preaches) while on the air. Listening to George means you'll get a first class education about jazz music. Tune in on Sundays between 2-6pm at 89.1 FM

•••TIM IN PM- TIM ROTH, Jazz Guitarist and Teacher

This year, we had another remarkable jazz musician fill the ballroom with some amazing guitar licks from none other than Tim Roth.

Tim Roth has been teaching guitar at Multnomah Art Center since 1996. He taught guitar at the Central Community School of the Arts in Arizona and at Portland Community College. He holds a Bachelors in Music from Portland State University, with graduate studies under local guitar great Jerry Hahn. His main focus is jazz guitar.

Do you have a special event or occasion? Tim's music will be perfect. Check him out at this website to hear/see a sample of his work: http://www.wattsfilms.com/timroth

Go to this website and see/hear him in action. YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED!

Celebration of Art '11 10:30-4:30

MJCC

6651 SW Capitol Hwy

Diane Fredgant: Color, Passion, Spirit

Diane is one of Ora's founding members. She has a richly deserved reputation for her exquisite silks!

If you spend a little time talking with Diane you will discover how she creates her one of a kind, original tallitot, prayer flags, and wall art. Diane transforms high quality cloth into a rich canvas of spiritual focus. Her use of color can be intense and explosive or subtle and sublime.

She'll have a good supply of inventory, but if you don't see exactly what you want, don't be shy! Tell her what you are looking for. Diane accepts commissions.

Diane's passion for her work will be immediately evident when you see her work in person. Feel the richness of the fabric and experience her transformative artwork. It will stir your soul!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30TH is the date.... 10:30-4:30

at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center

6651 SW Capitol HWY - Portland

Laura Joy- festive fabric

As a founding member of ORA, Laura Joy has been exploring the possibilities of fabric constructions. This body of artwork transforms her spiritual journey into a fabric of metaphors. There are layers and textures and meaning stitched into each vessel, banner and quilt.

A student and teacher of Mussar, Laura Joy explores her Jewish spirituality through the practice of middot or intentions. Her artwork is often the result of her meditations.

Visit Laura Joy at her booth. Experience her work by touching the fabrics, absorbing the brilliant colors, and exploring the intentions of each piece. Talk to Laura Joy and discover what artistic energy really means!

CELEBRATION OF ART '11

OCTOBER 30th 10:30-4:30

MJCC 6651 SW Capitol Hwy.

Celebration of Art 2010!- More PIX!