ELEMENTS GALLERY + ORA = a great night!

What a beautiful gallery! What a lovely reception!  What wonderful friends we have! Thanks go to everyone who worked so hard to make this exhibit a success, and to everyone who came out and showed their support. We are blessed indeed.

ORA's  "Light" exhibit will be on display daily from 1-4 pm through March 14th, at:

Elements Glass Gallery & Hot Shop
1979 NW Vaughn St.
Portland 97209

Eddy Shuldman: Fused Glass with Soul

Eddy Shuldman is a founding member of ORA, and the originator of Portland's Jewish Arts Month (JAM).  Her fused glass creations grace homes and synagogues from Portland to Oslo.  Whereas we usually think of glass as something to look THROUGH, Eddy's inspiring offerings show us what can be seen WITHIN the glass.  Each piece is a study of something meaningful: a prayer, an ideal, a moment in history.

Eddy says "glass is magic!  Hebrew letters often dance across a fanciful screen in my mind's eye.  Translating this dance of letters and images into glass becomes a meditative experience.  I journey deeper into the meanings and fight the limitations that a solid, yet fragile medium offers me."

Shuldman's lifelong work as a teacher is evident in her approach to glass work, as well as in her work with people.  Her enthusiasm is contagious, and encourages people around her to push themselves to higher levels of achievement.  Eddy is the spark that imagined JAM, and the energy that has made it a reality.

You can see samples of Eddy Shuldman's past work on the ORA website (www.northwestjewishartists.org/eddy.html), but you have GOT to come see her latest series at ORA's "Light" exhibt at Elements Glass Gallery.  Your eyes will enjoy, and your heart will rejoice!

Meet Eddy Shuldman at the Pre-JAM-slam:

     Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010  at 7 pm
     Mittleman Jewish Community Center
     6651 SW Capitol Hwy
     503.244.0111

See Eddy's latest glass creations at ORA's "Light" exhibit:

     March 4 -14, 2010
    (First Thursday reception March 4th at 5:30 pm)
     Elements Gallery and Hot Shop
     1979 NW Vaughn St
     503.228.0575

GARY MARTEL: New ORA Member

In his day job, Gary Martel is an excellent dentist, but given the opportunity, Gary will happily trade in his drill for a good camera and head for adventure. Photography has been a life-long passion and it shows!

Many of his photos chronicle his adventurous travels. Nature shots and family are also frequent subjects of his work.  Gary has a keen sense of light, shape and form. Recently, he has begun working in manipulated images and the results are most impressive.

Elements Glass will feature some of his work at the ORA exhibit that opens March 4th at 5:30 pm.
The show will continue through March 14th.

Join in the celebration of light and see what Gary has prepared for this show. Grab a glass of wine and join the ORA artists as they toast their first gallery group show.

For more information go to:

http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2010.html

www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMschedule2010.html

Diane Fredgant- Smooth as Silk

Silk Artist Diane Fredgant turns plain silk fabric into spiritual interpretations of her encounters with Torah, prayer, and mystical texts.

Diane seeks perfection in a medium that is deeply challenging. Whether a custom made prayer shawl or a wall hanging, her colors are luscious, rich and deep. Diane's work evokes synesthesia- you can taste her colors, hear her images and see the music in her shapes and forms.

Diane's work will be exhibited at Elements Gallery as part of Ora's show.

You'll want to meet Diane: you'll want to know about how she approaches her work, her study, her methods, her visions. So come, grab a nosch, have a sip of wine and schmooze. It will be a wonderful evening!

Elements Gallery , March 4th from 5:30-9pm and the show runs through March 14th.
Elements is located on NW 19th and Vaughn.
This show is also sponsored by Jewish Arts Month

need more info? go to http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2010.html

www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMschedule2010.html

GARY PEARLMAN- New ORA member

Although Gary Pearlman is one of the newest members of ORA: Northwest Artists, his name is well known throughout the local community. He is an interior designer and graphic artist but he is also a masterful calligrapher who has blessed many marriages with his artful ketubot (marriage contracts.) His papercuts are highly prized among numerous art collectors in town.


Gary's oil paintings are a departure from his earlier works. His large scale canvas and wood panels are contemporary, bold and breathtaking- you will appreciate the scope of his work when you see it displayed at Elements starting March 4th, 5:30-9pm. The show will run through Sunday March 14th.

The theme for this show is "LIGHT". Come meet Gary, listen to live music, enjoy our refreshments refreshments, and schmooze with the other artists!
For more information go to:

http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2010.html

www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMschedule2010.html

SABINA WOHFEILER: ARTIST AND TRAVELER

Sabina has a way with flowers. Her garden is lush and colorful and so are her paintings. Watercolors and acrylics flow from brush to canvas under her steady hand. Sabina understands subtlety and aims to capture the textures and nuances of a single petal. She watches the way a person moves or how the light filters through a pond and bounces off a golden koi.

Sabina has a passion for travel and has captured sights, colors, moods, and people while journeying around the world. Her work was recently on display at the Japanese Gardens and is also featured in a new book titled: Artists of Willamette Heights.

Elements  Gallery will be the next venue for her work. As part of Jewish Arts Month, Sabina will join her fellow Ora Artists in a show that will open March 4th, at 5:30 PM. Elements is located at  19th and Vaughn. Come meet Sabina and find out how she sees light...and how she transforms her vision into a painting.

Rosana Berdichevsky: Mixed Media and Collage

Words, prayers, colors, sounds all contribute to Rosana's colorful and soulful work.
Rosana studies art with intensity but it is her solid instincts that guide her skillful hands to create spiritual artwork.

Rosana leads a busy life training students for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and leading students in a journey of doing mitzvahs (good deeds.) She enjoys traveling and taking art classes. Rosana's excitement is contagious! Come meet Rosana and experience her personal energy and the energy her artwork exudes. You'll be glad you did!

Elements Gallery 19th and Vaughn   THURSDAY MARCH 4  5:30-9pm
see our calendar for other exciting events during Jewish Arts Month (JAM)


http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2010.html

Sharon Segal- acrylics and mixed media

Sharon Segal always has a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her lips. Her paintings often are inspired by scenes from her travels and are brightly colored. In the past year Sharon has begun studying Mussar which is a style of learning and practicing ethical behavior. Her studies have influenced her art and some of her mixed media work represents her explorations of middot or Mussar intentions. Sharon is a member of ORA but her work has appeared in numerous venues including  Lake Oswego's Art in the Park.

You can see Sharon's work up close and personal at Elements Gallery on NW 19th and Vaughn starting March 4th- First Thursday-  5:30-9. The exhibit will remain up through March 14th.

For more information go to: http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2010.html

www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMschedule2010.html

Susan Kuznitsky: Portraits and More!

Susan has been in ORA nearly a year. This talented artist works in oils, pastels, and pencil. She also teaches art and will soon offer a charcoal sketching class at the MJCC (Feb 21).
Her website is http://www.studiointhewoodsnw.com/
You'll discover incredibly paintings so lifelike that many appear to be photographs at first glance.

 Susan's work will be on exhibit at the Elements Gallery on NW 19th and Vaughn starting on First Thursday, March 4 through Sunday March 14th. She will also a a couple pieces on display in the Mittleman Jewish Community Center lobby Sunday March 7- 12th.

 You are invited to meet Susan at JEWISH ARTS MONTH's (JAM) Pre-JAM Slam at the MJCC, Wednesday, Feb 24th at 7pm. Free admission!

For more details go to http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2010.html

Laura Joy Fendel- Fabric Sculptor

 


Laura Joy Fendel is a co-leader of ORA Northwest Jewish Artists. A retired school teacher and interior designer, Laura now spends much of her time designing functional and decorative sculptures made from quilted fabrics.

Beautiful wedding canopies, trapunto tryptychs, fabric mosaics and functional vases are a few of her most popular art works.

Laura is coordinating the Elements Art Show for ORA at Elements Gallery (NW 19th & Vaughn) which opens on First Thursday , March 4th 5:30-9pm. The show will run daily through Sunday March 12th.
The Elements Show is part of Jewish Arts Month (JAM).


To see a sampling of Laura Joy's work go to:
http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/laura.html


For information about JAM go to:
http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2010.html

A FOCUS ON ORA: NW JEWISH ARTISTS

ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists has been a presence in Portland Oregon for the past 4 years.
Until recently, it was an all-women's group. Recently they have added men!

ORA is a driving force behind JAM (Jewish Arts Month). ORA means light in Hebrew. They will present their interpretations of light at a unique art exhibit at Elements Gallery and Hot Shop in NW 19th and Vaughn in the newly designated NoLo District (north of Lovejoy.) the show will open with a First Thursday celebration on March 4th and close at 4pm on Sunday, March 14th. They will also have a small exhibit in the MJCC lobby from March 7-12.

Over the span of the next few weeks, this blog will feature each of the ORA artists, but if you really want to get to know this group of fine Jewish artists, come to their exhibits. You'll be glad you did!
for more information about ORA go to:
northwestjewishartists.org/

for information about these and other JAM events go to:

http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2010.html