Jewish Review, November 15, 2009: Arts

Northwest Jewish Artists show wares at Mittleman Center

By POLINA OLSEN

Northwest Jewish Artists celebrated their annual show on Oct. 25 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.
Called ORA, Hebrew for light, the group supports each other and finds opportunities to showcase their art.

The variety and quality of the two dozen exhibitors impressed everyone who attended. The Jewish Review only has space to mention a few:

Willa Schneberg, an Oregon Book Award winner for poetry, wrote a poem for one of her low fired clay pieces. The whimsical ceremonial objects can be put to good use—spice boxes, Torah pointers, an etrog holder.

Sabina Wohlfeiler brought watercolors from a previous show Translations: Art Inspired by the Portland Japanese Garden. “These are Asian but also inspired by the Klimt painting,” she said, referring to the Nazis confiscated portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer that was returned to its rightful owner and is now on display in New York. The patchwork patterns on her model’s kimono reflect Wohlfeiler’s quilting background.

“Watercolors are immediate; they’re transportable,” she said. “We’ll take a bike ride on Sauvie Island and then stop and paint.” Wohlfeiler also sells less expensive prints and says modern reproduction techniques make them indistinguishable from the original.

Cara Buchalter Emanuel’s Art Deco paintings graced inexpensive T-shirts and cards. Small journal covers featured baseball players, harlequins, even her grandfather. She painted a large red bouillon cube on a white kitchen apron. A fourth grade teacher at Congregation Neveh Shalom, Buchalter Emanuel finds inspiration in “the sensuous lines of Art Deco haute couture; classic silhouettes of sleek sophistication.”

Sharon Stern worked photographs of grandchildren into her quilts. Esther Liberman displayed beaded hamsa jewelry, kippot and yizkor candle covers. Gary Pearlman broke from the Hebrew calligraphy and papercuts he’s made since 1980 to display his oil paintings. Diana Unterspan paints abstract art with wool and silk. Her display included a picture of herself called “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Girl,” a literary nod to James Joyce and Dylan Thomas.

Fridericke Heuer, who works at the Oregon Jewish Museum, brought photographic montages under the theme Affirmation and Negation—Transposing Biblical Stories into Contemporary Images. Jane Kadner found inspiration for her carved and painted gourds while living in Tucson.

Any family will find an heirloom in Diane Fredgant’s hand-painted silk tallit. “I make things special for people,” she said. “[For example], I’ll put a piece of someone’s baby blanket under the neck piece.” Using non-toxic colorfast dyes, she also paints challah covers, scarves, wall hangings and chuppahs.

This year’s special section by Rose Schnitzer Manor artists included oil paintings, ceramic, crochet and needlepoint. Vivian Korn made her pulled thread embroidery in 1975. Now 86 years old, Korn calls her work simply “pull-string.” She learned the technique as a girl in Los Angeles. “I couldn’t get over Vivian’s pull-string,” said attendee Susie Gouz who volunteers at the Manor. “I’m not surprised she’s artistic—she’s so talented in the Rose Schnitzer choir.”

Learn more about ORA, Northwest Jewish Artists visit northwestjewishartists.org.

                                               

                                                                        WILLA SCHNEBERG with some of her some of her
                                                                        fired-clay pieces at the ORA annual show Oct. 25.

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

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

Jewish Review October 15, 2009:  Arts

ORA exhibit at MJCC Oct. 25

By Sabina Wohlfeiler

Although ORA, the consortium of local Jewish artists, held its Celebration of Art last year right after the onset of the economic downturn, they remain committed to launching their fourth Celebration of Art on Sunday, Oct. 25, from l0:30 a.m.-4 p.m. It will again take place in the ballroom of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

ORA members Leslie Elder, Susan Kuznitzky, Sharon Segal and Sabina Wohlfeiler will exhibit new paintings. Paintings and ceramics will fill Robin Esterkin’s space. Rosana Berdichevsky will exhibit her collage art. In the three-dimensional category will be Esther Lieberman’s beadwork, Eddy Shuldman glass art, Laura Fendel’s fabric art and Julie Hockley’s metal jewelry creations.

Returning guest artists from last year include: Nancy Chesler and Jane Kadner offering decorative gourds; Cara Buchalter Emanuel showing art deco prints; Fridericke Heuer exhibiting photographs; Gary Pearlman offering paintings, paper cuts and Hebrew calligraphy; Ellen Shefi exhibiting photos with paint applique, and Sharon Stern showing her quilts.

New participants in this year’s Celebration of Art include: Barbara Berger offering photography; Tobin Floom also showing photography; Diana Malach showing watercolor paintings; Willa Schneberg offering functional and sculptural pottery; Maria Simon exhibiting ceramic wall pieces; and Diana Unterspan showing woven fiber art pieces.

http://www.jewishreview.org/arts/ORA-exhibit-at-mjcc

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

Jewish Review July 31, 2009: Arts

ORA artist Fendel deep into second career

By Julie Hockley

Fiber artist Laura Joy Fendel has lived in Portland most of her life. Originally from California, she met her husband George a Portlander, on a blind date and the rest, as they say, is history.

Fendel, a retired elementary school teacher and published author, taught in the Beaverton School District for 30 years. Her books include “Call Me Capeablilty” and “Building Self-Esteem With Koala-Roo Can-Do,” books that help children improve their self esteem.

After Fendel retired from teaching, she opened her own interior design firm. As an artist, Fendel has created Fabric Art for more than 35 years.

Applying techniques such as appliqué and trapunto, she now throws herself into her art with the same passion that enabled her success in her previous endeavors. The next step on Fendel’s artistic journey is the creation of three dimensional fabric sculptures.

As a member of ORA: Northwest Jewish artists, Fendel, a mother of three with a youthful energy and appearance that belies her age, has enjoyed the continual interaction with other artists who encourage her to reach for new creative challenges.

You can see Fendel’s work as well as the work of other ORA members and guest artists at the Celebration of Art 2009, to be held at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center on Oct. 25, or visit ORA at www.northwestjewishartists.org.

http://www.jewishreview.org/arts/ORA-artist-Fendel-deep-into-second-career   
                                                  







Jewish Review July 15, 2009:  Arts

Berdichevsky collages fuse art, education, Judaism

By Sabina Wohlfeiler

There are many of us who agree with Pablo Picasso, who once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Life intervenes, and before we know it, we have created a complex web of experiences, influences, challenges and joys. But time escapes us.

Few people seem to find or make time for artistic pursuits. Rosana Berdichevsky is someone who does. Wife, mother, Jewish educator and member of ORA Northwest Jewish Artists, Berdichevsky combines the experiences and passions of her life to create Jewish themed collage art pieces.

Ilana Rembelinsky, who purchased one of Berdichevsky’s collages, was drawn to her work because of the vibrant colors and interesting textures. The Jewish theme resonated with Rembelinsky. She decided that investing in a piece of quality art would help make her new house feel like home.

Berdichevsky’s path to Portland came via Argentina, her birthplace, Tel Aviv, where she attended university and met her husband, and Los Angeles, where she began her family and her involvement in Jewish education. Here in Portland she leads the 13 Mitzvot Program for Congregation Neveh Shalom.

Berdichevsky was a founding member of ORA Northwest Jewish Artists in 2006, combining her artistic energy with 12 other women who were dedicated to bringing art from Jewish artists to public attention. They have hosted three celebrations of art, the last of which was held in the Jewish Community’s “living room,” the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

Berdichevsky continues to be inspired by her Jewish heritage and her current experiences in the Jewish community. She derives great pleasure and satisfaction from her students. All of these passions percolate inside Berdichevsky and come forth as images, textures, colors and Hebrew text in her collages.

                                                      Rosana Berdichevsky                                                          "Tzitzit"  Collage
                                                                                                                                                  by Rosana Berdichevsky.








Southwest Portland Post October 2008: Community Life








Southwest Community Connection  October 2008:  Art News

Mittleman hosts Jewish art show and sale, Oct. 12

     HILLSDALE -- The Mittleman Jewish Community Center will host a one-day art show and sale from dozens of local Jewish artists and members of the ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists group.  The event will be Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     The third-annual event will emcompass many media, including sculpture, photography, painting, beadwork, glass, ceramics, and more.
     Founding ORA member and glass artist Eddy Shuldman said she is pleased that this year's show will be at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.
     "The MJCC is a beautiful and welcoming space," Shuldman said.  "Previously we showed our work in local synagogues, but part of our mission is to expose the broader community to the work of Jewish artists.  I think the MJCC is the perfect venue for this show."
     In addition to charter ORA members, 15 guest artists have been invited to display their art.  Many of the ORA members and their guests are residents of Southwest Portland, and one exhibit space has been donated by the group to exhibit the work of accomlished senior artists from the Rose Schnitzer Manor, a senior care facility in Hayhurst. 
     "I'm really excited that we're bringing in guest artists this year," said ORA member and bead artist Esther Liberman.  "It gives us a chance to highlight the variety of Jewish art and artists in our own community."
     ORA was founded three years ago to unite Jewish artists in Portland, while providing opportunities to connect with buyers and collectors.  The intent was also to serve the larger arts community by exposing non-Jews to Jewish art.
     While all the artists at this exhibit are Jewish, not all of their work is Judaica or features Jewish themes.  Yet, organizers say that even the work without an explicit Jewish theme reflects the Jewish roots of the artists.
     "If you're going to buy a piece of our artwork, you're going to inherit a piece of our collective Jewish soul," said Sabina Wohlfeiler, a watercolor painter and ORA member.
     To view ORA members' work online, visit http://northwestjewishartists.org.

http://www.swcommconnection.com/news/index.php