Exhibit Update

We have several exhibits coming up in March... it's going to be a really busy month!






March 4 - 14 "Light" exhibit at
Elements Glass Gallery
1979 NW Vaughn St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.228.0575

March 7 -12 Exhibit in lobby of
Mittleman JCC
6651 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
503.244.0111

March 17 Some of us will be exhibiting pertinent work at the Women's Seder at MJCC

Is it really possible to be several places at one time? We'll see!!

This Show Will Be HOT!

Have I told you yet? ORA is going to have an exhibt at Elements Glass gallery in NW Portland! This is such an exciting opportunity for us!
It will take place in March... there will be a First-Thursday reception with wine, food, music, and art!

The show will feature a theme of "Light," and will hang for several weeks. We're all busily working on new pieces for this exhibit, and we're sure you're gonna love it! It's not just glass... all of our ORA media will be represented.

I hope to have exact dates to post here very soon, but for now reserve the evening of March 4th for our reception.

Elements Glass Studio/Gallery/School
1979 NW Vaughn St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.228.0575

Maria Simon on TV

If you didn't catch OPB's piece about Maria Simon on Art Beat Thursday night, be sure to tune in this Sunday night, January 10th, at 6:00 pm. Maria is an incredible sculptor, and a dedicated educator, and we were honored to have her join us as a Guest Artist at our Celebration of Art this past October.





"Breitenbush Reverie"
by Maria Simon

Party of the Year!

Mark your calendar: it's the PRE-JAM-SLAM, and you really want to be at this party! We're going to jump-start Jewish Arts Month (J.A.M.) with a big party at Mittleman Jewish Community Center on February 24th.

It's FREE, and we'll provide a sampler of the events featured in this festival celebration. Meet local actors, directors, writers, artists, musicians and more! Have a nosch and toast the success of this ambitious project. We'll probably begin at 7 pm... watch this blog for details as they evolve!

Jewish Arts Month is a joint production of Mittleman Jewish Community Center and ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

ORA is Growing!

ORA will be welcoming several new members this month. Stay tuned, as we will reveal their names very soon. And here's a hint... to quote Bruce Hornsby... there's gonna be some changes made...

Seeking Perfection?

My artwork has generally been very precise, usually symetrical, with an emphasis on perfection. I am very picky about the quality of stitch, thread tension, color palette, bead quality, etc., and I tear out stitches any time I'm not satisfied.

So it was a big leap out of my comfort zone when I took on "free-form sculptural" beadwork. I love it, it's fascinating, it's exciting to do. But I still take a perfectionist approach, and tear out sections I'm not satisfied with. Is this an insistence on quality, or just anal-retentiveness?





How do you approach your art? Is it precise, or is it more casual? Can it be both? Talk to me!

Announcing Jewish Arts Month 2010 !

More is better.

More than a month full of exciting Jewish Arts, all over P-town! Theatre, music, dance, visual arts, storytelling, and more! Exhibits, performances, classes, discussions, and more!

It's more than March 2010. There's so much happening, it wouldn't all fit into one month! So it's February, March, and April! Keep checking back often for more details. Soon there will be a separate website with all the information.

Jewish Arts Month is a joint production of Mittleman Jewish Community Center and ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

More! More! More!

Studio Time

I just listened to a podcast about promoting your artwork. One thing discussed was dedication to consistent studio time. Are you an artists? Do you consider yourself a professional or a hobby artists? How much time do you spend in your studio creating art?

Discuss.

Channukah Card

HAPPY CHANNUKAH from Sharon Segal, and all the members of ORA!

Here's wishing you a season of light and gladness to warm the winter days and nights.

Hannukah in "the Couve"

ORA made some new friends today. Four of us participated as vendors at Vancouver Chabad's Hannukah party. We (Diane, Eddy, Esther & Rosana) brought our wares to the Hilton Hotel in downtown Vancouver, and joined the Chabad group after their menorah-lighting outside. Inside, it was warm and friendly, with lovely people, terrific live music, latkes and sufganiot.

Did we sell a lot? Nope. But did we have fun? Yup. And we all sold something, so it was okay. Meanwhile, we gained some new exposure, both for ORA and for the Vancouver Chabad group. It was one of those adventures on our journey, and we're glad for all of those!

Happy Hannukah

Happy Hannukah to one and all!

It's about freedom, but it's also about sticking to your beliefs, even when it's hard.

Wishing everyone strength to meet that challenge...

Memories Revisited in Salem

Recently some of our members parcipated in a Holiday Gift Sale at Temple Beth Sholom in Salem. This was the old stomping grounds of our painter, Sharon Segal.

Sharon writes:

Many of my old friends are still involved in the Temple. They came by to visit and it was so good to rekindle old friendships. Many people were very impressed with my art, because they didn't know that I was an artist. When I lived in Salem, I had just had a new baby and any extra time, I was working in our store.

There were 16 artists in the show. Many were craft people and a few sold Judaica. All in all, the show was not especially lucrative, but the experience, for me, was excellent.

Sharon Segal

Giving Thanks

We have so much to be thankful for! Loving parents, wonderful children, supportive spouses, beloved pets, God-given talents. Food, shelter, friends, education, communication. Freedom, liberty, congregation, community. Living in a time and place of plenty and unprecedented opportunity.

What are YOU thankful for? Click "comment" and share with us!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!! May this year's holiday remind us of our good fortune, and galvanize our resolve to help share it with others.

Tables, Chairs, and More

Tonight was the kick-off for the 2010 "Chair Affair" to benefit Community Warehouse of Portland. Last year we posted the wonderful contributions of some of our member artists to this worthy cause. This year some of our artists are participating again. So far, Eddy Shuldman, Robin Esterkin, and Esther Liberman are planning to create works of art for the fundraising auction.

Generally, each artist chooses a used chair and re-makes it into something cool and artistic. Then the chairs are sold at a gala auction, with all proceeds going to Portland Community Warehouse, a wonderful organization which provides household items to needy families. The Chair Affair generates a significant chunk of their annual operating expenses.

This year, artists are being asked to "think outside the chair," and expand to other household items as well, such as tables, mirrors, magazine racks, etc. The kickoff was fun, with lots of artists and supporters present at the new location of the Community Warehouse on NE MLK.

The actual auction is scheduled for April 8, 2010. We'll keep you posted on the progress of our ORA members and their chairs, etc. Meanwhile, check out the amazing creations from previous years' Chair Affairs at the Community Warehouse website, and think about what household items you might be ready to donate to this worthy organization.

We Have Arrived

You know you've arrived when the press does a story about you, without you sending them a press release! So here we are, with a story about our recent Celebration of Art in the most recent issue of The Jewish Review. We even got a color picture! It's a nice story, and it mentions quite a few of the artists who participated in our Art Show.

Take a look: http://www.jewishreview.org/arts/ora-artists-showcase-wares

Wow! What a wonderful day! Beautiful art, talented artists, supportive guests, a magical event manager, and wonderful volunteers. Sunday's Celebration of Art at MJCC was a success all around, and we are so grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.

Take a look at the pictures! And check back soon... we'll be posting more very soon.

I'm still exhausted.... but happy!

The Waiting

Nervous, excited, mystified, suspenseful. Certain I've forgotten something important. Waiting for the big Show on Sunday. No more meetings, no more printing, no more phone calls. It's all personal now. See you all on Sunday.

Celebration of Art!
October 25, 2009
10:30 am - 4:30 pm
at
Mittleman Jewish Community Center
6651 SW Capitol Highway
Portland

Schnitzer Manor Rocks!

Eddy Shuldman writes:

Residents at Rose Schnitzer Manor are remarkable for so many reasons. Today, this community of seniors hosted an art show.

Evidence of talent was apparent everywhere I looked. From needlework and beading to painting, photography , and sculpture.

The faces of the artists sparkled with pride and joy as they witnessed our appreciation.

It is with great pleasure and pride that ORA will play host to many of these artists at our upcoming show. We regret that space limits the number of pieces that can be displayed.

Kol HaKavod, RSM artists! You have brought beauty into this world and we are so fortunate that you are so willing to share it with us!

Sculpture "The Woman" by Elaine Kaufman

Schnitzer Art Exhibit Returns

Last year i wrote about the wonderful art show we attended at Rose Schnitzer Manor, featuring art by residents and employees there. It was beautiful and inspiring. So I'm glad to hear that they're doing another show this year. If you can possibly make it, take an hour or so and go enjoy!

Thursday, October 22, 2009
2 pm - 4 pm

Rose Schnitzer Manor
6125 SW Boundary St
Portland, OR 97221
(503) 535-4300

And don't forget, some of the residents of Rose Schnitzer Manor will have work on display at ORA's upcoming Celebration of Art on Sunday, October 25th at MJCC. These artists are happening!!
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Todah Rabbah!!

Our sincere thanks to Maimonides Jewish Day School and Jewish Federation of Greater Portland for letting us place our banners on their properties, advertising our upcoming sale.

This sort of generosity allows us to feel like we are a welcome partner within the greater Jewish Portland Community.

Todah Rabbah!

Whew! That's Done!

Yay! I am finished with the programme brochure for our Celebration of Art Show, and it is in the printer's hands. Now, it's no secret that the production of this brochure has been a frustrating process for me. But I must say that as i was finishing it up, it really hit me what an accomplishment this is, and how far we have come in 3 1/2 years! This is our fourth annual show and sale, with quite a few exhibit events in between. We have incredible juried guest artists, and we're in the beautiful ballroom of MJCC, and people are starting to KNOW who we are! And some even paid money to have ads in our brochure! Wow, this is impressive! And (now that I can take a moment to breathe) I'm proud to be part of it.

Celebration of Art!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
10:30 - 4:00 pm

Mittleman Jewish Comm. Center
6651 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, Oregon

Who Are Those Guys????

Who are those suspicious looking guys? You'll find out at Celebration of Art next Sunday! Hint: Eddy is putting together an incredible Power Point slide show, which will be running during the art show. We got a peek at a partial version last night, and it's truly celebratory. You will love it! And of course, admission is FREE!


Celebration of Art!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
10:30 am - 4:00 pm
MJCC Ballroom

Leslie Scores a GOAAAAALLL!!!

Leslie Elder's painting, "Go for the Goal" was recently juried into the Watercolor Society of Oregon's Fall show, on exhibit this month in McMinnville. There were 80 watercolor paintings juried into the show. Out of the 80 paintings, 20 were chosen to receive awards. Leslie's painting received an award and will be one of 20 award-winning paintings from the show to tour the state of Oregon in the coming year, exhibiting in various galleries aroung the state.

Leslie is excited to have her painting touring the state, and we are incredibly proud of her. The paintings are all for sale. For more info, check out www.watercolorsocietyoforegon.com. Come see the exhibit: it's at the IMAX theater in McMinnville this month, and at Currents Gallery in November. It's a beautiful exhibit.

Celebration's Almost Here!

Celebration of ART 2009 will take place on Sunday, October 25th, from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm at Mittleman JCC.

For more details, listing of artists, and pretty pictures, check out our website:
http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/celebration2009.html

Come visit with the artists, and see everyone's beautiful work!
Admission is free, of course.

OJM is on the Move!

One of our favorite organizations is the Oregon Jewish Museum. They hosted our very first exhibit, and we definitely consider them Family. So we're very happy to hear that OJM has found a new home, and hopes to move in by mid-December.

Having searched long and hard for a suitable property, OJM will make its new home at 1953 NW Kearney Street. Already recognized locally and nationally as a leader in Jewish museum programming, OJM will now be able to expand its exhibits, programs and services to more fully meet the needs of the Oregon community which it serves. The new gallery space will allow for larger and multiple concurrent exhibitions. An expanded volunteer program will provide a variety of museum services and new volunteer opportunities in hospitality, tours/docents, research and multimedia. The new building will also provide a safekeeping solution for the museum's collections and artifacts, as well as a screening room, and convenient parking.

In a collaborative venture, the Oregon Jewish Museum will sublet a small portion of the space to the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center. "Being housed under the same roof will provide a community benefit and allow both organizations to become stronger...." says Museum Director Judith Margles.

To follow progress of OJM's move, watch for the new "On the Move" section at www.ojm.org soon. Hatzlacha!!

Now She's Published!

The work of Sabina Wohlfeiler, our wonderful painter, will be featured in a publication called "Artists of Willamette Heights," to be published in October. Stay tuned for more information about where to buy it.

Mazal Tov, Sabina! We're so proud of you!

Sneak Preview

I got a sneak peak this evening at some of the things Rosana has been working on...... squeeeeeeeeaaaaalllllll !!!!! Very cool! I can barely wait until our Celebration of Art on October 25th to see what everyone else is coming up with! The excitement is starting to build.....

A Treat for The Eyes, and the Spirit

Four members of our group made it to Sabina's opening last night at the Portland Japanese Garden, and it was well worth our time! What a beautiful exhibit! Both the artwork and the setting were just wonderful. The atmosphere was celebrative, but serene. Everything was beautifully exhibited, with gorgeous Ikebana flower arrangements gracefully placed among the displays.

Of course, I'm being completely impartial when I say that Sabina's work was the best (sly grin)! But seriously, we were so thrilled to see completely new work from Sabina, as well as some of our all-time favorites. And some of the other artists blew us away too! It makes me even more excited in anticipation of our own show coming up in October!

My advice: stop reading this blog, get up and go to the Japanese Garden.... NOW!!! You won't regret it.

September 12-20 the exhibit in the Garden Pavilion is free with admission to the Garden.

Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Ave
Portland, OR 97205-5886
(503) 223-1321

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Tonight!

Tonight is the reception at the Portland Japanese Garden for the opening of their new exhibit, "Translations: Art Inspired by the Portland Japanese Garden."

Sabina's watercolor work is being featured, and Eddy and I are going to attend. It should be fun, rubbing elbows in the art world. I'll report on the whole thing here.

Meantime, plan to attend this beautiful exhibit. It's there until September 20th.

Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Ave
Portland, OR 97205-5886
(503) 223-1321

Wicked!!

Gary and I saw the famous play "Wicked" while vacationing in Seattle. Wow! It was incredible!

Having heard the ads when the show was in Portland, I thought it was just a campy play, but it is actually much more. It's a GREAT story, cleverly tying in the plot of the original classic, while turning it on its head. The songs are wonderful, especially the inspiring "Defying Gravity." The characters are so much fun! And the visual impact of the whole thing is incredible. The sets, the dances, the WARDROBE!! (Fabric addicts will think they've died and gone to heaven.)

The physical acting by the key characters is priceless. It's a clever ploy, using memorable postures from the 1939 movie characters to lend instant recognition, even while presenting a completely different scenario. (If you walked in with no idea what the show was, and saw the characters acting silently behind a cloth curtain, you would know from their postures exactly who they were.) And as Elphaba's transformation matures, and she finally lets out that famous cackling "evil laugh," it brings the house down!

If you have a chance, go see this show! It's such a wonderful, thought-provoking production. I'm also impressed with the company's dedication to green concerns (they point out that they are "the greenest show on Broadway.") It's playing at The Paramount in Seattle through October 4th, and is also running in Nashville right now. Then it moves on to other parts of the country. It's worth the effort!

Wicked: A New Musical

Tour schedule

A Greener Lifestyle

Cloth & Creativity

More from Laurie Fendel:

It's Sunday evening, the end of August. We have 8 weeks until our show.

I'm designing 3 more shapes for my vases, and decided to make a list of all of the challenges and new skills I'm experimenting with:

1. fabric collage

2. sewing curves

3. designing different shapes

4. stenciling and painting Hebrew words incorporated into the design

It's very invigorating this world of creativity, "ah see ah" ( the Hebrew).

And our critique group shared new pieces and ideas this last week.

It's totally amazing what the human mind can create. The possibilities are infinite.

Laurie Fendel

Art in the Garden

Sabina Wohlfeiler writes:

On Friday, September 11, 2009, the Portland Japanese Garden will open an exhibit and sale called "Translations: Art Inspired by the Portland Japanese Garden." Twelve artists, including myself, will be represented by paintings with a garden and/or Asian aesthetic. Flowers by the Sogetsu School of Ikebana will compliment the display in the Garden Pavilion.

An opening reception will be held Friday from 7-9 pm, and the exhibit will be on display through September 20th.

The Japanese Garden is a beautiful place which continues to inspire and nourish my creative spirit with every visit. I hope it will do the same for you! Please come to the reception if you are able.

Sabina.


Reservations are requested for the reception.
RSVP to events@japanesegarden.com or (503) 542-0280

September 12-20 the exhibit is free with admission to the Garden.

Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Ave
Portland, OR 97205-5886
(503) 223-1321

Working and Dreaming

Laura Joy Fendel writes:

I've completed 3 new pieces, ready for review and critique tomorrow night. Very excited about my collaged fabric, and 3-dimension on top of 3-dimension. Working on a series of vessels that are not conventional shapes, and stenciled Hebrew letters... from Kabbalah.

Formulating the design, color, meshing those with the shape of the vase, along with the sewing technique is challenging me tonight. Sometimes the process happens with serendipity, sometimes with struggle. Actually, I'd like a chocolate break. Would that give me Ruach, and Ahseeyah? Yes, I think so.

I've joined the Columbia FiberArts Guild, attended a fabulous meeting, and I'm looking forward to another in two weeks, along with a two day class with a national quilter. I have found several new books that speak to my kind of creative process, and also advance my skill level.

I dream of an organized permanent studio, dedicated only to my fiber passion, and not sharing with a small guest room/office.

Dreaming of a trip to Europe with other fabric junkies, seeing the sites, living with local families, and rejoicing in discovering treasure troves of unique fabrics. Sharing the glee with other passionate, fun loving women. It will come in due time. What does European chocolate taste like... in Europe???

Laura Joy
August 24, 2009
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Hands and Hearts

Links in a chain
Each supporting the other
Hands and Hearts
Holding, helping, healing

One link leads to the next
Never-ending, always moving forward
Attracting new links
Growing longer, stronger every day
Women's strength, women's love
The hand of God winds through it all

Fear of Drawing

Okay, I did it. Gulp. I signed up for a class at PCC called "So You Think You Can't Draw." Yes indeed, I do think I can't draw! Nothing in the last 54 years has shown any evidence to the contrary. But Eddy and I promised we'd give it a try, so here goes....


Hmmm... I found these pencils online which might help ease the pain... might have to buy some... you know, just to be prepared!

Chocolate Pencils by Nendo

The Cost of Online Piracy

Ever been tempted to copy that beautiful painting you saw online?
Can't resist that "free download" of a quilting pattern?
Please stop and think about the true cost of the theft you're considering.


Famed beadwork artist-designer-teacher Jeannette Cook blogs today about online piracy:

http://beadyeyedwomen.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-are-free-downloads-costing-our.html


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A Joy to Behold

We're in the Jewish Review again! Our very own Laura Joy Fendel is featured in this week's edition of the Portland Jewish paper. A lovely article, written by ORA member Julie Hockley, highlights Laura Joy and her magnificent fabric artworks.

Laura, an accomplished teacher and published author, is now enjoying a second career as an interior designer and fiber artist. Her works are alive with vibrance and creativity.

You can read the article online, or check out page 15 of the actual paper to read about Laura Joy, and see her smiling face!

Of course Laura's beautiful and unique fabric vases, mosaics, and more will be featured in our Celebration of Art on Sunday, October 25th at Mittleman JCC. Come and experience the Joy!
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Review the Review

Check out this week's Jewish Review for a great article about our very own Rosana Berdichevsky! It's a nice piece about Rosana's journey through life and art, and the quest to hold on to your artistic longings despite the challenges of life. Sabina Wohlfeiler did a lovely job writing this one.

We hope to have a number of our artists featured in the Review during the coming months, leading up to our Celebration of Art on October 25th. It's great to get this support from our local Jewish paper!

Celebration of Art!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
at Mittleman JCC
free admission

A Match Made in... Norway!

Somehow I never did post this, but it's never too late to share good news! Eddy Shuldman's magnificent Torah Breastplate has found a permanent home... in Oslo, Norway!

Early this year, Rabbi Leila Berner came to town. Among other things, she was raising funds to purchase a Torah to be sent to Oslo, Norway where a small Jewish community had been making due without a Torah of their own.

The purchased Torah is actually a "rescued" Torah that was repaired by a Sofer in Maryland! A number of Torahs were hidden away during the holocaust to protect them from the Nazis. Several of these Torahs have been discovered and lovingly repaired.

Rabbi Leila saw Eddy's Sh'mot-themed Torah adornment and asked to purchase it as an accompaniment to the Oslo Torah.

Eddy says: "This is an honor beyond words. My father was a holocasut survivor and he spoke occasionally of his efforts to hide a Torah. In Pirke Avot we read: 'You are not required to complete the task but you are also not free to withdraw from it.' My father understood that. He couldn't complete the rescue of his Torah but he did teach me Torah."

For more details about this wonderful 'shiddach' and the fused-glass breastplate itself, go to Eddy's blog at http://sparksofspiritglass.blogspot.com and click on "older posts."

Plein Air Painting

Leslie Elder writes:

This Summer I have been enjoying getting outside doing a bit of plein air painting. Plein air means fresh air (or something like that) in French. It started with a workshop with oil painter Aimee Erickson (Multnomah Art Center) doing plein air oil painting for 3 days in Multnomah Village.

I used my portable french easel and set up in the village to paint with oil for the first time. About ten artists scattered across the village to record the scene, much to the delight (or amusement, in some cases) of passersby. Oil paint is great to use for plein air painting because it is slow to dry. Although I am mainly a watercolor painter, I was eager to try out my oils in this setting. Watercolors dry so quickly out in the open air, they are more of a challenge to use outside, especially in warm weather.

It's hard to go back into my studio with the weather continuing to be so fine. Yesterday, I went with my Watercolor Society of Oregon critique group to paint up in the Columbia Gorge. They didn't seem to mind that I painted with oils.

One of my favorite painters, Eric Wiegardt, said at a workshop once, that painting plein air is a good way to fill up your creative well. If you paint from photos too much, after awhile your 'well' can become dry because you have to work to create excitement in your your painting. When you paint from life, the excitement flows naturally from your subject matter.