Paint the Land Artwork to be Auctioned at JCC

Artwork painted by eight internationally and locally known artists for Israel's 60th anniversary celebration currently are on display in the lobby of the JCC through Sunday, Aug. 17, when an artists' reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Each of the artist's works is for sale via a silent auction, with minimum bids - ranging from $250 to $1,000 - listed below and in the show's program. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Columbus Jewish Federation for their ongoing programs.

The artworks were created on Sunday, May 18, en plein air at Goodale Park as part of the community's "Walk the Land, Paint the Land" celebration honoring Israel's 60th anniversary. The event was sponsored by the Columbus Jewish Federation. While more than 400 community members strolled the Victorian Village park enjoying Israeli music, Kosher ice cream and folk dancing, these artists created works of art that were reminiscent of scenes from Israel.

Participating artists included internationally known Mordechai Rosenstein, and local artists Susan Couden, Jerry Davidson, Kriss Galloway, Patty Kahn, Yoni Mizrachi, Amy Neiwirth, and Bob Tavani.

Abstract No. 1 by Susan Couden
Opening Bid - $800

Artist's Narrative: "I brought photographs and memories of my visits to Israel to the Paint The Land event, not knowing how I would express the importance Israel holds for me. I remember how music seemed to create more room in my heart and how I felt like a vessel being constantly emptied and refilled. I brought pictures of birds, and mountain goats, and olive trees, and the sea. But while I was painting in the Columbus park for this event, I was surrounded by the Jewish community here. Our music, our memories, our dances, our interpretations became an essential part of this painting. Families and folks asked me what I was painting and I would ask them what they saw. Our ideas merged for me in this painting as I worked to develop their vision as well as my own. What do you see?"

Artist's Bio: Susan Couden is the art teacher at the Columbus Jewish Day School, as well as a painter. She has worked to establish close ties with Israeli teachers from Columbus' sister Israeli city, Kfar Saba, and serves as one of the Day School's Tzedakah Club faculty advisors. She was the recipient of the national 2006 Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, and also was named Jeff and Lori Lasday Educator of the Year by the Columbus Jewish Federation. "I believe that an artist's task is to try to understand life and express that understanding in a way that's different than how a scientist or mathematician understands and expresses their understanding of life," she said.

Bloomberg Medical Center by Jerry Davidson
Opening Bid - $700

Artist's Narrative: "I was asked to paint this representation of the William H. Bloomberg MDA [Magen David Adom] Jerusalem Station by a friend of mine. This state-of-the-art emergency rescue service facility in Jerusalem was dedicated by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in honor of his father, William. During the laying of the cornerstone ceremony in 2007, Mr. Bloomberg said it is most fitting that his late father's name will live on in MDA Jerusalem, a station which is known as a place where Jews, Muslims and Christians save lives side by side since the founding of Magen David Adom in Israel. He said his father taught him, 'He who discriminates against anyone, discriminates against everyone.' Evidently the lesson was well-learned. Incidentally, EMTs and Paramedics from the MDA Jerusalem Station were the first on the scene of the July 2 terrorist attack when a bulldozer driven by a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem trampled over pedestrians and vehicles and plowed into two buses in downtown Jerusalem."

Artist's Bio: Jerry Davidson's work is displayed in private and corporate collections across the country. He taught painting at Capital University, the Columbus Museum of Fine Art, and The Ohio State University Graduate School. He also was an art teacher and consultant for the Columbus Public Schools. Now retired, he and his wife, Barbara, live in Gahanna.

Galilee Olive Grove by Kriss Galloway
Opening Bid - $250

Artist's Narrative: "I recently saw a photograph of an olive grove in the Galilee, and knew that it was a scene I wanted to paint for this project. As a gardener, I am amazed at how fertile and lush the 'semi-arid' land of Israel really is, and truly appreciate the result of 60 years of working the land. I was lucky enough to be able to incorporate these two sentiments into this piece. A few years ago, my rabbi gave me a container of soil he had collected from a garden in Be'er Sheva. I mixed a few pinches of this soil in with my brown and copper paints to create the trunks of the trees. During the Paint The Land event in the park, I also recruited my new, four-year-old Israeli friend, Roni Kagan, to help me make the leaves of the tree by dipping her little fingers into the paint and making fingerprint leaves. So, not only do we have the soil of Israel in this piece, we also have the imprints of Israeli hands creating beauty where there was once a blank canvas."

Artist's Bio: Kriss Galloway is the manager of Marketing and Communications at the JCC. For the past 27 years, she has worked in corporate public relations and journalism (prior to her arrival at the JCC, she was editor of The Ohio Jewish Chronicle). In 1996, her work in journalism put her in touch with Rabbi Howard Apothaker of Temple Beth Shalom in New Albany. The newspaper interview for an article about Hanukkah eventually led to her conversion to Judaism in 1998. This, in turn, opened up new avenues of artistic expression for her. As an emerging artist, her artwork has been exhibited several times at Gallery 202 in Uptown Westerville and at the JCC's Member Art Show in 2007. She holds a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University in Photography, Cinema and Video. She and her husband, Brian, have three children - Doug, Sarah, and Zoe – and reside in Westerville. They are members of Temple Beth Shalom.

The Butterfly Fish of the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds) by Patty Kahn
Opening Bid - $250

Artist's Narrative: "The masked butterfly fish is found only in the region of the Red Sea. The fish stripe in the painting forms the state of Israel on its 60th birthday. The Red Sea is significant, for the Jews who crossed it were an important addition to the development of Israel and Judaism. Within the belly of the fish are four fetuses. The two on the topside are larger. Their heads fit together, nose to nose as their hands touch the other's head. One is sucking a thumb. While the smaller pair are polarized, with arms and legs folded up and heads at opposite ends. From the womb of the giant fish (which actually is tiny in real life), a feeling of love and strife is revealed. Intrigue befits the name butterfly fish, as the fish is the creature of the sea, while the butterfly is a creature of the land and air. One a deeper level, the butterfly fish represents the physicality and the soul of Israel."

Artist's Bio: As a life-long artist, Patty Kahn, Ph.D., works in various mediums dealing with nature and sometimes Jewish themes. Her love of nature came from her father who grew up in rural western Kentucky, and later moved to Lexington. Kahn, who grew up in Lexington, explores the natural world through mostly painting and drawing and later through weaving and jewelry. Professionally, she always has worked in the arts: commercial art, commercial interior design, medical illustration, art education, and jewelry design. Patty currently teaches art, art history, and art education at Ohio Dominican University, and designs jewelry creations as a business.

Pomegranate by Yoni Mizrachi
Opening Bid - $250

Artist's Narrative: Not available at this time.

Artist's Bio: Not available at this time.

Kotel by Amy Neiwerth
Opening Bid - $250

Artist's Narrative: "This artwork is a reflection on the simple, familiar places, spaces, and symbols that many people think of when they close their eyes and picture Israel. The images overlap, drip, and blend away: much like a memory or a dream. The Kotel fades in to sand and the waves of the sea while pomegranates dance and flags of blue and white gleam boldly."

Artist's Bio: A visual artist and art educator, Amy Neiwirth is the art teacher at Columbus Torah Academy and a 7th Grade teacher at Congregation Tifereth Israel's Samuel M. Melton Religious School. She holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from The Ohio State University and is currently finishing her MA in Art Education, also at Ohio State. Amy's art typically addresses issues of travel, memory, identity, relationships, and the concept of "home." She also creates artwork that explores the connection between the body, the mind, and food. In Columbus, Amy has exhibited her paintings and mixed-media work at OSU Hillel, Hopkins Hall Gallery, Junctionview Studios, and Mahan Gallery. Amy also creates jewelry and accessories for her small business, Sweet Stella Designs. Her confectionary jewelry pieces are available in shops around Columbus and are currently included in the exhibit SugarCraft at the Kasia Kay Gallery in Chicago.

Shalom by Mordechai Rosenstein
Opening Bid - $1,000

Artist's Narrative: SHALOM - from Psalm 34:15 "Bakesh Shalom V'Radfahoo" ("Seek Peace and pursue it.") It is not enough to want peace; it is not enough to hope for peace; it is not even enough to pray for peace. You must actively pursue peace. It is elusive. But, if you try hard enough, work hard enough, peace can be attained - peace among nations; peace within your community; peace within our home; peace within your heart.

Artist's Bio: The Hebrew alphabet is the essence of the art of Mordechai Rosenstein. "The flowing forms of the letters have been an inspiration to me since my youth," he said. Drawing upon the inherent grace and lyrical qualities of the Hebrew alphabet, he embellishes the letters and surrounds them with a design that gives them a special rhythm and excitement, thereby enhancing the meaning of the text. His love of these forms is evident in every piece he creates. His vibrant shapes and colors enhance synagogue interiors, tapestries, paintings, murals, and silk screen prints. In addition, he has become one of the leading designers in the stained glass field. Synagogues all over the United States have requested Rosenstein to create their stained glass windows, ark doors, Torah mantles, and memorial or builders' walls.

Gifts and awards of Mordechai's works have been presented to President George Bush, President Yitzhak Shamir of Israel, authors Elie Weisel and Chaim Potok, the Pope and many others throughout the world.

His unique style evolved as a result of various influences. He was a member of the first graduating class of Akiba Hebrew Academy. While studying at The Philadelphia College of Art, Abstract Expressionist professor Franz Kline profoundly influenced Rosenstein. By uniting his interest in Judaica and painting, Rosenstein has given a contemporary meaning to the art of Hebrew calligraphy.

Rosenstein, who was participating in an art show in Columbus May 18-20, stopped by the Paint the Land event to contribute this piece. "It is very stimulating and rewarding to interact with members and communities throughout the country and develop a rapport with them," he said.

Noa on a Park Bench by Bob Tavani
Opening Bid - $500

Artist's Narrative: "A friend of mine suggested I participate in the celebration of Israel's 60th year. He knew that I had done paintings at Cooper Stadium, during Gallery Hop, and in other public locations. As a painter of things (people, still-life, landscape) it was important for me to have someone or something as a subject. I suggested a prominent figure associated with Israel. Harlan [Schottenstein] found Noa Ohayon and she agreed to sit.

"Noa had spent time in the Israeli Army and brought her uniform with her. The day was fairly windy and chilly in the shade. As I painted, I kept one foot on my easel to keep it from toppling over. Noah was visibly cold, but persevered for the cause. We were visited by several guests and fans of Noa's. I imagine this portrait took about three hours to complete and we both signed it."

Artist's Bio: Robert Tavani holds Masters degrees from the Ohio State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He accrued an undergraduate degree at the Columbus College of Art and Design. His artwork has been exhibited at the Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati, Thread Waxing Space, New York, NY, Diverse Works, Houston, TX, and numerous Chicago galleries. In Columbus he has exhibited at Mahan Gallery, Art Access, and was awarded Best of Show in the Ohio Art League's 2004 Member's Show.

He has taught at the Columbus College of Art and Design, The Ohio State University, DePaul University, Chicago, and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Currently he is the director of the Therapeutic Creativity Program at Columbus Area, Inc. and a Registered Art Therapist.

To place a bid electronically, send an e-mail, along with your name and contact information, as well as your bid, to: Kriss Galloway at the JCC. Auction bid sheets and ballot box also are located at the JCC's front desk.