Art in Alternative Spaces
presents
The
Light Within
Art Celebrating Jewish Culture
On Exhibition at Devonshire Cultural Arts Center
4400 Greenwood St, Skokie, IL
Free Opening Reception:
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 (noon - 2 pm)
Featuring live music
on display through January 27, 2025*
*International Holocaust Remembrance Day
The building is ADA accessible. Admission to the exhibition is FREE.
Gallery Viewing Hours are:
Mon - Thurs: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Fri, Sa, Su: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Holidays
ARTWORKS BY
Susan Baim, Phyllis Brodny, Laura Frisch,
Larry Greenberg, Leslie Hirshfield, Pauline Kochanski,
Robin Langer, Samuel Leopold, Amanda Leigh Lichtenstein,
Anita Miller, Leonid Osseny, Leslie Outten,
Naomi Pollak, Reuven A. Robinson, Nancy Rosen,
Beth Shadur, Sara Thobe, and Laurel Watson
Featuring the International Photo Exhibit:
Humans of October 7th
by Tel Aviv Photojournalist Erez Kaganovitz
Courtesy of JCC Chicago and the Growing Hope Project
This exhibition is presented by Anatomically Correct Arts and sponsored in part by the Skokie Park District, Skokie Heritage Museum, the Illinois Arts Council, through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts; and in collaboration with JCC Chicago and the Growing Hope Project.
HUMANS OF OCT 7th
Growing Hope
JCC Chicago and Growing Hope present this ongoing project that brings to light the human stories of the unique Israelis who stood up against terrorism. The exhibit shows the Israeli DNA at its best and exemplifies the incredible spirit and resilience of the Israeli people. In speaking about this new project, Kaganovitz shared, "Since the October 7th horrific attack the incitement on the streets and on social media fueled antisemitism and misconceptions about Israel and the Jewish people at large. As an artist and a photojournalist, I feel it's imperative to fight back against these misconceptions and rising antisemitism by showing the Human side of Israel. From my experience, highlighting the Human elements of Israel can provide a reminder of what Israeli society is all about and what we are actually fighting for." JCC Chicago and Growing Hope present this ongoing project that brings to light the human stories of the unique Israelis who stood up against terrorism.
Humans of October 7th is the continuation of a body of work that Kaganovitz began after being inspired by Humans of New York in 2012. The first project in his series, Humans of Tel Aviv (presented by JCC Chicago in 2019) illuminated the breadth and vitality of one of Israel's most diverse and dynamic cities. "I believe that knowledge is a great power for change. The first step towards multiculturalism and respect among different Humans is to get a better understanding of the unique culture and values that every different facet of Humanity holds. By telling the life stories of different Humans from different backgrounds, Humans of Tel Aviv is trying to change (even a little) the way we are all seeing one another.", Kaganovitz said. The Humans of Tel Aviv project was subsequently followed-up by Humans of Israel, Humans of the Holocaust, and now, Humans of October 7th.
Humans of October 7th is proudly presented by JCC Chicago's Growing Hope Project, a movement designed to combat a growing crisis of hopelessness, anxiety, and fear by engaging youth as upstanders in their communities. Rooted in the Jewish spirit of Tikkun Olam (repairing our world), Growing Hope will empower young people to use the tools of empathy, kindness, and creativity in service of building a brighter future for all. Their traveling exhibtion is proudly supported by the Israel Engagement Fund: A JCC Association of North America Program Accelerator and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.
https://www.jccchicago.org/growing-hope/concert/growing-hope-concert-2024/
Photographer, Tel Aviv native, and speaker, Erez Kaganovitz
Haim Jelin Arm |
Gideon Lev |
Tali Medina |
Yael Margolin |
Ruth Haran |
Haim Rannan |
Rami Davidian |
Yonatan Shamriz |
Orly Doran |
Haim Jelin |
Sigalit Salminis |
Hamid Abu Ar'ar |
Omer Ohana |
Naama Eitan |
Tali Hadad |
Avraham Chana The brother of Israel Chana. A civilian who saved a whole neighborhood in Ofakim on October 7th
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Luis Har |
Filling the skies with hope #Bring_Ziv_Berman_Home |
"We have a secret weapon: We have no place else to go." Golda Meir quote Fourth Prime Minister of Israel.
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SUSAN BAIM |
I was born in Chicago. We lived in Albany Park until we moved to Lincolnwood when I was 5 years old. When I was 10, we moved to Southern California, where I began my "formal" Jewish education. In Lincolnwood, I had gone to Sunday School, but in California, I started Hebrew school. As a child, I was painfully shy, and the thought of standing and speaking in front of a sanctuary of people for my Bat Mitzvah, even people I knew and loved, was so terrifying that my parents had to come up with another option. Instead of having a Bat Mitzvah, which would be one day out of my life, I could take an additional year of Hebrew school. I opted for that additional year. My three younger sisters, who were not particularly shy, were not given a choice. They all had their Bat Mitzvahs. While I am no longer as terrified of public speaking as I was back then, I am still not comfortable with it, and when the opportunity came for me to have an adult Bat Mitzvah, I did not take it. Like many of my peers, I can still read Hebrew (albeit very slowly), but except for a few words in prayers, I don't know what the words mean. I love the Hebrew alphabet, and some of my artwork reflects that. I have incorporated the words Chai and Shalom in Hebrew in several of my pieces. I also make polymer clay hamsas and Magen Davids, both as parts of a mosaic and as stand-alone wall hangings. Although I am not as religiously observant as a Jew as I could be, being Jewish has always been a very important part of my life and it always will be. I have done some type of artwork my whole life, but about 20-some years ago I discovered the wonders of polymer clay, and I have never looked back. There is so much that can be done with this medium, from sculpting to "painting" with clay. My favorites are using different techniques to make beautiful surfaces, as well as different ways to manipulate colored clays to make interesting and exciting (or subtle) patterns. I make everything from earrings and pendants to trinket bowls to mosaic wall hangings. The more colorful a piece is, the happier I am. In addition to polymer clay, I make beaded jewelry using various bead stitches. I also like making gel plate prints to be used as collage papers. This is Susan's 2nd exhibition with Anatomically Correct Arts. |
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Poppies for Peace 8 x 10" $160 This piece depicts my wish for peace and safety in Israel. The handmade tiles are made with different colors of polymer clay manipulated to give depth and feeling to the background. The flowers and leaves are hand sculpted and embellished with Pan Pastels and gold acrylic paint pens, and the poppies have been finished with polyurethane gloss varnish. Hamsa 8 x 8" $150 The hamsa symbol protects against the evil eye and negativity. Each tile is handmade of polymer clay; in some I used various techniques to manipulate the clay into bright colorful patterns, and in others I used different surface materials on white clay, such as alcohol inks, glitter, Pan Pastels, mica powders, foil, and acrylic paints. The hamsa is made of different colors of pearl polymer clay and is embellished with gold foil and acrylic paint pens. A Swarovski crystal is placed in the center finger. Polyurethane gloss varnish finishes the piece. Roses of Old 8 x 8" $150 This piece symbolizes the strength of Jews throughout history and in modern times. It is meant to have a vintage, weathered feel. The tiles are made with white and colored polymer clay embellished with alcohol inks and acrylic paint. The roses, berries, and leaves are made of white clay that has been colored with Pan Pastels. The piece is finished with polyurethane gloss varnish.
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PHYLLIS BRODNY |
Phyllis is the daughter of a first-generation American Jewish mother and a first-generation American father, granddaughter of Eastern European immigrants, I came into this world in Boston with my 100% Ashkenazi Jewish DNA intact (as confirmed by genetic testing). Early memories of Passover seders at Bubbe and Zedie's house and watching great grandparents praying and dovening at shul resonate within me in a profoundly personal way. Although I am less traditional in my religious practices, I am solidly connected with my religion and my heritage. Amongst many luxuries of being born in April of 1945 just as WWII was drawing to a close, was the privilege of an American education, ballet lessons, piano lessons, and art classes at The Boston Museum of Fine Art. I also had a Jewish education at Temple Israel in Boston, and went to Sunday School and Hebrew School. My family moved to Chicago in the fall of 1959. I arrived just in time to start high school and Sunday School at Temple Shalom where I was later confirmed. College followed at The University of Michigan receiving a BS in Design and then Graduate School at The University of Wisconsin receiving a MA in Printmaking. Around 1968 requirements for teaching in schools suddenly changed. A teaching certificate instead of the MA previously accepted was required. In addition, the preponderance of colleges and universities did not hire women so my art career pivoted to book designing, gallery sitting, etc. while continuing to create art at BrodnyAtelier, a studio I rented at The Contemporary Art Workshop in Chicago. Despite limited opportunities for women in the late 60s and 70s, I had successes which included a lovely write-up in the Chicago Sun Times, a first place award at Old Orchard Art Fair, and exhibit space in The Old Town Fair. Over the years I have had careers in telecommunication, and antique jewelry and was a certified appraiser. I now have my BrodnyAtelier studio at The Palette and Chisel Academy of Art in Chicago. Presently I am working on Gourdography, painting fantasy landscapes, and sculpting. In 2019, just weeks before the Covid pandemic, my book, The Fine Art of Gourdography came out and is now sold at Botanic Garden shops as well as elsewhere. In the book is storytelling though visual art. Most recently as featured artist, I exhibited over 30 works in an exhibit called The Secret Life of Gourds. |
Two Bagels and a Cup Oil on Canvas 17 x 21" $650 It is said that the bagel had its beginnings in Polish culture in the 17th century. The dough was boiled rather than baked to circumvent an anti-Semitic law prohibiting Jews from baking bread. As a purist and a former Bostonian, I say, DO NOT BAKE A BAGEL without boiling first. The word Bagel comes from the Yiddish word bagel or perhaps the German word Beugel for a bracelet. In written records from Krakow as early as 1610, some say the circular shape was likened to the shape of a stirrup as an acknowledgment to Jan Sobieski, who led Poland to a victory against Turkish invaders. A similar-looking Polish bread called Obwarzanek, however, dates back to 1394. In the United States, bagels were brought to New York with the arrival of Eastern European immigrants of the late 19th century. Their popularity began spread from the Jewish markets to mainstream popularity in the 1970s.
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Chanukah Tradition #11 A Menorah, A Dreidel and A Gift Color Photography 11 x 14" $425 Gourds Kikayon (קִיקָיוֹן qiqāyōn) is the Hebrew name of a plant mentioned in the Biblical Book of Jonah. It is also known as a gourd in English. The plant is associated with the story of Jonah and is a symbol of God's forgiveness and redemption" Book of Jonah, Chapter 4: From the Jewish Publication Society translation of 1917. On the Sedar plate. K'ra (Pumpkin/Gourd) is phonetically similar to the word "kara"; the former means pumpkin/gourd, and the latter means "to tear apart" and "to proclaim." Jews ask that God "tear apart" every evil decree against us and "to proclaim" our good merits or blessings. This can serve as a reminder for us to be thankful and hopeful for the future, even when things seem difficult to handle.
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Laura Frisch |
Laura primarly works in latex and acrylic
paint on canvas, collage, and upcycled cardboard. She has exhibited
at Emily Oaks Nature Center Gallery, Morton Grove Civic Center, and
Morton Grove Public Library. She enjoys participating in
Anatomically Correct's Brush with Nature plein air festivals
regularly. Laura also facilitates group murals at camps, community
centers, and schools. She teaches art lessons privately to students
of all ages. She also teaches Adaptive Art at NTDSE, as an art
specialist at Makom Solel Lakeside, Ramah Day Camp, and at
Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings (M.A.S.K.OnTheBlock.org).
Laura illustrated the book "Run, Run, Run, A Child's Book About Gun
Safety". She believes art can repair the world.
This is Laura's 3rd exhibition with
Anatomically Correct Arts.
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Tree of Life Eye Spy Mixed Media 8 x 10" It's a whimsical walk through the Torah, "Tree of Life" with hidden references. $150
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Tikkun Olam: Repair the World 7th grade students at Lev Learning, Makom Solel Lakeside 16 x 20" Not for Sale 7th grade students at Lev Learning are in the midst of becoming B'nei Mitvot, children of the commandments. Our students focused on one aspect of the Torah, the commandment of Tikkun Olam, repair the world, for this art piece. Throughout this year they each have been working on a personal Mitzvah Project where the students focus their efforts towards a non-profit organization ranging from animal shelters to food pantries to medical emergency organizations and more. When discussing this piece of art, the students wanted to convey how they are working to repair the world. Taking the literal "Olam" or world, they used various hues of blue and green while cooperatively painting the canvas. The background color of yellow was used as a contrast between the happy bright shade and the yellow ribbons representing the call for the release of hostages from October 7. The 7th graders then researched Jewish organizations which provide help in Israel. They included each of these as a collage piece on the canvas. They hope that viewers will go to these websites and take action with Tzedakah, donating or volunteering.
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Larry Greenberg |
I am a Jew by birth, by identity, and by practice (if unorthodox). I am an adherent of hadar. This is pride based on unapologetic Zionism and freedom from the psychological baggage of the diaspora. I am deeply attached to the four thousand year tradition of my people. Against the odds, we have survived horrors and sorrows, punctuated by occasional acceptance and triumphs. With resilience and self-confidence, we look forward to the future. I am equally proud of the Jewish people's immense contributions and continue to make to our Western civilization in so many spheres, even if unrecognized by most people. Immersed and committed as I am in the culture and history of American and the West, I find myself a balanced denizen of both worlds. This is Larry's 3rd exhibition with Anatomically Correct Arts. |
Fear Not Charcoal Pencil on Paper 20 x 24" $400 This drawing is from the song, "The World is a Narrow Bridge," Gesher tsar m'od depicting a soldier contemplating going into battle. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldier is wearing a tillit and a prayer shawl whose fringes are the commanded item. He wears a tefillin (phylacteries) on his head and left arm near to his heart. These items are commanded in the paragraph immediately following the Shema. The wearing of the kippa, also known a yarmulke, stems from Talmudic times, indicating a man's humility before God.
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Eishet Chayil (Woman of Valor) Colored Pencil on Paper 18 x 24" $250 This drawing is an expression in a Shabbat prayer to honors wives; in this case the woman depicts the allegorical heroine of the biblical Book of Esther who risked her life to save her people.
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Old Einstein Charcoal Pencil on Paper 14 x 17" $150 This drawing shows the man late in life at Princeton University, reflecting on a life of well-earned renown for his scientific insights while suffering derision for practicing "Jewish science." Despite his rejection of most religious rituals, he respected those who were observant. In America, he actively embraced Zionism and worked passionately for Jewish causes worldwide.
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Leslie Hirshfield |
Leslie Hirshfield received her Master of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois. She taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The Evanston Art Center and is currently teaching private classes at her studio at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston. This painting is in memory of my mother's family who came to this country before the war leaving family members behind who perished in the Holocaust. Depicted are my grandmother, her nephew, brothers, sister-in-law, and great grandfather at my great grandmother's gravesite in Lodz, Poland, 1912. Although I know them mostly through photographs, stories, and mementos, they are part of my life and helped shape who I am. |
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Lodz, Poland, 1912. Oil on Canvas 36 x 48" Not for Sale
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Pauline Kochanski |
Pauline Kochanski is a multi-disciplinary artist, independent curator/juror, writer, published poet, and teacher with a love of words. Pauline is pleased to have exhibited art in juried and invitational shows internationally, nationally, and in the Chicago area. She received numerous awards and recognitions for her work from Best of Show, first place, and honorable mentions to receiving Illinois Arts Council Grants, and was a featured artist in 2003's Chicago Artists' Month. Her work is in numerous private collections. Visual art and writing are her artistic mediums. The past is written, immutable, the future unknown...all we have, is this present moment to live, love, and be. In 2017, I created the series "The Past is Still With Us" about my ancestors that reflects the lost history, pain of the past, and the pain that lives on in future generations. Both of my parents were survivors of the Holocaust of WWII and I am the only child of this union. This piece is about roots; the unknown family, the family that existed, that holds us together even when we do not know them, as they existed as real people and in the DNA of the present. The gold leaf represents light. The light that enters our lives through the cracks of pain and loss. This is Pauline's 5th exhibition with Anatomically Correct Arts.
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Where do the Roots Lay Acrylic, Ink, Gold Leaf 12 x 12" $1,000
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Robin Langer |
Robin Langer has been creating art since 1980 when she began catering, where food and presentation were her medium. She has studied sculpting, acrylic painting, and charcoal drawing with many teachers in the Chicago/Evanston area and Guatemala. Currently, she is taking classes at the Noyes Cultural Center, and Insight Art Studio in Skokie. This painting, Touching the Jordan River, was inspired by a photo I took during a recent trip to Israel in 2019 with my Rabbi, a Baptist minister, and a Lutheran minister. Our tour guides were Palestinian and Israeli. I had never been to Israel before and I am so grateful to have experienced so many different perspectives, religions, languages, smells, tastes, not to mention the sights. In this moment, there was a connection and awe that I witnessed and felt. I can only imagine what was going through this minister's head, knowing the history and the holiness of this sacred place, where Jesus once touched this water. Being a Jew requires curiosity, openness searching for meaning, and connections to my ancestors who came before me.
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Touching the Jordan River Pastel 13 x 15" $450 |
Samuel Leopold |
This oil painting is a mix of the sites and architectural details of Jerusalem, specifically the Jewish Quarter. The enduring symbol of a mosaic Tree of Life is featured front and center and Israeli flags wave above the scene. My Jewish life started with growing up in New Orleans as a "Delta Jew", a community of Jews that have small congregations along the lower Mississippi River. I attended the usual traditional programs that a Jewish kid would: temple, Hebrew school, and a Jewish summer camp in rural Mississippi. I was part of Tulane's Hillel in college and stayed associated with some of the Jewish activities in New Orleans for my early career years. I moved to the Chicago area in 1997 and was active with parts of the Jewish community in Evanston and Rogers Park. I have visited Israel several times, married an Israeli, and we now live with our three children in semi-rural Indiana. This is Samuel's 2nd exhibition with Anatomically Correct Arts.
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Mosiac Sky Oil on Canvas 18 x 36" $ 2,000 |
Amanda Leigh Lichtenstein |
Vintage Judaica Installation Private Collection Last year, amid the rising tide of anti-semitism that swept across the world after fresh conflict erupted between Israel and Gaza, I started to obsess over the beauty of menorahs. I grew up in Skokie, steeped in Jewish culture and tradition, and over the last year, I've been drawn to the menorah as a powerful symbol of Jewish beauty and resilience. There are two main kinds of menorahs. The "temple" menorah usually has seven branches while the nine-branch Hanukkah is made especially for Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after war destroyed it. The miracle of Hanukkah, a single day's worth of oil burning for eight days, serves as a timeless reminder of the power of hope and divinity. Each year, Jewish families gather to light the menorah, kindling a flame that burns bright even in times of utter darkness. This collection celebrates vintage brass menorahs as tangible connections to the Jewish people in all our complexity and diversity. I'm particularly drawn to menorahs made in Israel, in the mid 1960s, with their colorful enamel and nods to Brutalist design, and I love the ornate brass oil lamp menorahs from North Africa, including Morocco. This collection also features a variety of vintage Judaica, including Hanukkah candle box designs, made in Israel. I sourced many of these objects from Jewish homes in the Chicagoland area, a testament to the vibrant and significant presence of Jewish families in Skokie and across the North Shore. Skokie, in particular, has long been a hub for Jewish life, with its rich community history rooted in survival and cultural pride. The objects in this collection carry not only stories of faith and celebration but also the enduring struggle and joy of Jewish communities everywhere.
Menorah 1 Vintage brass menorah with Brutalist design and enamel accents, made by Hen Holen, Israel, mid 1960s.
Menorah 2 Vintage brass menorah featuring a red enamel torah and lions on either side, made by Hen Holen, Israel, mid 1960s.
Menorah 3
Menorah 4 Antique brass menorah featuring a central temple menorah flanked by lions and ornate border, made in Morocco as a hanging oil menorah, year and maker unknown.
Menorah 5 Antique brass menorah featuring roped branches and a central Star of David symbol, year and maker unknown.
Menorah 6 Vintage brass menorah with a brutalist design, featuring a Star of David inside a menorah, year and maker unknown, likely mid 20th century.
Menorah 7 Vintage brass menorah with ornate Baroque-style details, an enamel menorah symbol and the Hebrew letters for Hanukkah, made by Tamar in Israel, mid 1960s.
Menorah 8 Vintage mini menorah for children with a Brutalist design and the word "shalom" in Hebrew, year and maker unknown.
Judaica 1 Vintage brass ark doors that open to reveal the 10 commandments, featuring a Brutalist design made by Wainberg in Jerusalem, mid 1960s.
Judaica 2 Vintage etched brass candlesticks for Shabbat, made by Wainberg in Jerusalem, Israel, mid 1960s.
Judaica 3 Vintage bronze and enamel torah book stand holder with Star of David on top, made in Israel, mid-20th century.
Chanuka Candles for Children - product of Israel by Ner Zion
Candles Menora by Menora or Hadash, Ltd., Sderot, Israel
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Anita Ivy Miller |
I did not learn Hebrew until I was twenty.
The Hebrew language was my key to Judaism. How could I truly be
engaged in Judaism without praying in Hebrew? My prayers chanted in
Hebrew brought me closer to the person I wanted to be. Tikkun Olam means 'heal the world.' In praying I want to heal myself and aspire to do positive things for others. I think that this is also implied in the other word in the painting Ahava which means love. This phrase and word are now messages within me and bring me closer to others. This is Anita's 2nd exhibition with Anatomically Correct Arts.
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Heal the World - Tikkun Olam 16 x 20" $300
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Leonid Osseny I was born in Russia in 1948 n the city of Nizhny-Tagil and enrolled in art classes as a teenager. In 1963 I studied at the Ural College of Applied Arts, graduated in 1968 with a major in Architecture and Design, and continued to study at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. In the 1980s, After graduating, I worked as an architect and restorer at the Belarus Institute of Renovation and Conservation when I became actively involved in the movement to preserve and study Jewish heritage under the leadership of Lenin prize-winning architect Leonid Levin. One of my main restoration buildings was a synagogue in Slonim built in the early 17th century, in addition to the renovation of the Radziwill Castle in the Township Mir, the design of the exposition at the Vetka Folk Museum, and the rebuilding of Trinity Suburb in the old quarter of Minsk. Mr. Levin helped me connect with the Jewish community in Chicago. When I arrived, I became involved with Jewish cultural events and met other persons who had moved to Chicago from Soviet Russia. This relationship helped me express Jewish motifs in my painting. As a designer, I have been actively involved in the architectural design of interiors for Chicago synagogues. I have lived and taught art in Skokie since 1991 and was honored by the Village of Skokie Fine Arts Commission with their Excellence in Fine Arts award in 2014. Leonid Osseny's art and research have been recognized in numerous exhibitions nationally and internationally. Among them, are shows at the ArchiTech Gallery, Chicago, and the International James Joyce Symposium at the National College of Ireland, Dublin. Other exhibition venues include the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago, Evanston Public Library, and the Gene Siskel Film Center. His work was published in the Joyce Studies Annual, Fordham University Press, and can be found in public and private collections in the United States and Europe. He has several original drawings for James Joyce "Ulysses" on display at the James Joyce Museum in Dublin, Ireland. This is Leonid's 4th exhibition with Anatomically Correct Arts. |
Old New Synagogue in Prague Watercolor 48 x 34" $3,000 The Old New Synagogue is one of Prague's longest-standing Jewish sites and the oldest active synagogue in Europe. Situated in Josefov, the synagogue is one of Prague's first Gothic-style buildings. The impressive structure, built in 1270, is a major attraction for lovers of architecture. For over 700 years, the Old New Synagogue was Prague's main synagogue and the primary place of worship for Prague's Jews. While Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Nazis during World War Two, the Old-New Synagogue was preserved plans were made to dedicate the building as a museum of Jewish artifacts.
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The Wailing Wall Tapestry 20 x 27" Not for Sale The Wailing Wall, also known as the Western Wall or Kotel, is a sacred site in Judaism that holds great historical significance. It is a section of a retaining wall built by King Herod to expand the Temple Mount. The wall dates back to the 2nd century BCE, and the lower half of what is visible today is from Herod's time. The upper parts were added in the 7th century AD. The Wailing Wall is considered the most sacred place in Judaism because it was as close as Jews could get to the Temple Mount for thousands of years. The wall is believed to be the Western Wall of the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The term Wailing Wall comes from the practice of Jews weeping at the site during Roman rule. The wall is also known as the Kotel, which means Wall in Hebrew. Many Jews visit the Wailing Wall to pray and leave written prayers in the crevices of the wall. Regular prayer at the wall did not start until the late 19th or early 20th century. The Wailing Wall is a point of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The Dome of the Rock, a holy site in Islam, is partially located on the bed of the ancient Israelite temple.
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Exodus Oil on Linen 23" x 37" $1,200 |
Leslie Outten Leslie Outten is a representational artist working primarily in oils. Leslie holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. After her children left home for college, Leslie returned to school to follow her passion; art. She earned degrees in Painting and Illustration from the American Academy of Art, Chicago, and completed Reggie Ezell's Year Long Master Calligraphy Course in Winnetka, IL. Leslie's beginning of Judaic Art began when she studied with Ezell. Assignments to create calligraphic pieces with a theme drew her to her Eastern European Jewish roots. Over the years, she has produced many Judaic-themed art pieces for her synagogue, individual clients, as well as The Ark. She was a founding member of the Chicago Plein Air Painters, is a member of Oil Painters of America, The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, and the Chicago Calligraphy Collective. Leslie has exhibited and sold her art throughout the US and Canada. |
This painting represents the connection of generations; the upturned head of the innocent Bat Mitzvah youth to the elder sage of love and wisdom.
L'dor Vador Oil on Canvas 12 x 17" $1,850
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Naomi Pollak My parents raised me in a culturally Jewish community in South Africa. My father left Poland and was able to reach South Africa after living in Israel in the 1920's and was considered a "Palestinian" as described on his passport. My mother was a first-generation South African whose parents had settled in South Africa from Latvia and Lithuania in the early 1900s. I was able to attend a Jewish day high school where immersed myself further in Jewish history, Torah study, and the Hebrew language. I started to paint over 20 years ago when I was inspired by the concept that the Jewish Torah, its laws and lessons, embodies "Be Loving to your neighbor (as one) like yourself - Leviticus 19:18". The first painting that I completed was based upon this text and involved the lights of Judaism which would illuminate the world - Chanukah lights, Shabbat candles, a memorial candle, and a charity box. I continue to paint in either oil, charcoal, watercolor, and pastel. Many of my paintings hang locally and abroad and have been accepted in juried art shows. This is Naomi's 7th exhibition with Anatomically Correct Arts. The assault on Israel of October 7, 2023, distressed not only Jews in Israel and in the diaspora - but many others worldwide. They have mourned the loss of innocent lives and the plight of hostages from many countries in a war that Israel has had to fight on many fronts. My granddaughter's Bat Mitzvah this past January happened to coincide with the Sabbath where the weekly portion, "Bo" was read Exodus 10:1-13:16. Every Shabbat when we light the candles, we pray for peace and we have a sense of hope that we can look forward to a time of peace for the Jewish people. The Hebrew words around the candles come directly from this portion Exodus 10: 1, verse 3. These words translated mean, "Let my people go so that they may serve me" -these words remain on our lips and we hope for peace.
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Sabbath Light Watercolor 14 x 11" $125
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Reuven A. Robinson When I was four, my grandfather invited me to daven (pray) with him in our community's great synagogue. Zadeh (grandpa) was awesome, as was the synagogue's artwork: Bible pictures on tall stained-glass windows, a dome to see heaven fifty feet above, a gold embroidered Ark curtain wherein the Torah scrolls resided, and even more visual wonders. At home, we celebrated all the yom tovim (holidays), made even richer by grandma (Bubeh) and grandpa living downstairs so that I always got a delicious dose of cooking from grandma and my mom. Moreover, Zadeh told me stories of his youth in Grodno, Belarus. My Jewish community was so ever-present, so encompassing back in the 1950s: Kosher butchers, bagel bakeries full of your favorite types, the Hebrew bookstores. There, even Simon my barber, and Mr. Kaplan the druggist, had "hakcents" (accents). In this ethnic-spiritual cocoon, I grew up, so naturally, the first "masterpiece" I painted was of a Jewish holiday scene in watercolors. I went to art school after high school and became an art teacher. I painted murals, illustrated, and even designed a Chanukah children's activity book. I taught high school and enlisted my public high school artists in a unique scroll project for the Spertus College Artifact Center, a children's art museum. In 1994, we organized an art tribute to Jerusalem, reaching about 500 religious school students, and exhibiting in Chicago area venues and also in Jerusalem. I now teach children at PlayThinks School, where we are painting a mural on Genesis, the first book of the Jewish Bible. My private work is representational and abstract, both secular and religious.
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My cartoon, is a visual synopsis of life in a semi-mythical home of the 1950s, when I was raised. I remember stories of aunts that kept live fish in their bathtubs waiting to be made into gefillteh fish. I helped my mom to grind up meat for meatballs, I saw grandpa making wine in the basement and later saying a Kiddush at the Yom Tov (holiday) table upstairs. After the "fressing" (eating), dad weighed himself with alarm in the bathroom. The cartoon compresses all the holiday preparations into one day, one house. Yes, its a bit satirical but it was drawn with love and tears, all in fun.
Jewish Foods Mixed Media/Print 10 x 12" $150 |
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Self-Portrait: Young Jew Wearing Tefillin Pen and Ink Drawing 11 x 14" $200
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Nancy Rosen |
Nancy was born in Chicago, and except for
her four years at the Kansas City Art Institute earning a BFA in
painting and sculpture, this is where she has remained. A dedicated
painter as well as a gifted teacher and mentor, Nancy has devoted
her life to painting, exhibiting, and teaching. She has shown her
work in galleries and exhibits across the country, and though her
paintings can be a bit difficult to categorize due to her unique use
of mixed media and surfaces, most of them are figurative. She
combines oil bars, China markers, graphite, and oil paint on a
variety of surfaces, including gessoed paper, pieced and handmade
papers, linen, and rice paper. Her pieces feature infinite detail
and layers, textures, and colors. Nancy has shown her work in a
variety of settings including shows at the Kansas City Art
Coalition, Elmhurst Museum, Milliken University, The Post Family,
and the Illinois Art Institute.
Her work has also appeared in movies and on TV - most recently in the Netflix series Grace and Frankie, where her work is shown as Frankie's (actress Lily Tomlin) paintings. This is Nancy's 2nd exhibition with Anatomically Correct Arts.
The Boyz Students from Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi Orthodox Day School, Chicago Archival Prints from Original Painting
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Mehiel Rivkin Student from Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi Orthodox Day School, Chicago Archival Print from Original Painting
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Yehuda Gerber Student from Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi Orthodox Day School, Chicago Archival Print from Original Painting
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Beth Shadur Beth Shadur is an artist whose work has been exhibited in solo and group shows nationally and internationally in museums, galleries, art centers and universities. Her work, comprised primarily of works on paper, is included in Christopher Finch's Twentieth Century Watercolors, Abbeville Press, and in many catalogues and publications. Shadur's work is represented in private and public collections in the US and abroad, and exhibitions have included shows at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Center, Butler Museum of American Art, Davenport Museum of Art, The Drawing Center, NYC; the Downing Museum in KY, and the Hudson River Museum. She has completed over 150 murals as both private commissions and as public and community art projects. She is part of the artist collective, Space 900, Evanston IL and the Jewish Artists Collective Chicago. From 2012 to 2024, she was Gallery Director at Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL; and served on the Board of the Illinois State Museum from 2016-2024. My own Jewish background reflects an influence in all that I create, particularly in the concept of Tikkun Olam, meaning "taking care of the world." From the time I was young, we were taught that taking care of others, and most particularly, "the other" was the most important value to embrace. At this dangerous time, my Jewish faith commands me to do all that I can to fight xenophobia, bigotry, racism, and all other forms of hate. While I don't know what these upcoming years will bring, as long as I can express myself through my art, I will find a way to survive.
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Witness Watercolor with acrylic and collage 31 x 28" $2,500 My works of the "Tikkun Olam" series, investigates the image and symbolism of the hand in its many gestures and roles, especially as it is used in cultures to express healing; healing is reflected as both personal and worldly. The works are intended to create prayers for world healing. After the events of 9/11, my confusion and despair served to push my work to aspire towards a supplication for healing. Many of these works use the symbol of the hands blessing and praying, asking and making a plea for peace, or at least resolution to conflict. Hebrew words and prayers appear painted on the hands to convey these prayers. This whole series was created in the years post 9/11, but are truly relevant today in a time of troubling division and hatred. |
Sara Thobe |
I am a lifelong artist and painter. My
work is both expressionist and realistic, for I feel that the
representational gives the artist the best opportunity to convey a
story, emotion, or a state of mind. Everything I paint, I choose
because the people and places have significant meaning to me. I
choose subjects that allow me to paint with the most passion,
honesty and feeling of purpose; Judaism is at the top of this list.
I enjoy doing portraits, for nothing is as intricately expressive as
the human face. My travels greatly inspire me as well, capturing
that moment in time. My finest work happens when I let the process
take over and instinct guides me; then painting begins to feel like
dancing. Perhaps the best thing about a painting is the feeling it
gives you that cannot be put into words.
Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan, "Chofetz Chaim" 1839-1933. 16 x 20" Acrylic on canvas $1,200
Rabbi Josef Rosen, "The Rogatchover Gaon" 1858-1936. 16 x 20" Acrylic on canvas $1,200
Rabbi Aharon Kotler, 1891- 1962. 16 x 20" Acrylic on canvas $1,200
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, 1895-1986. 16 x 20" Acrylic on canvas $1,200
The Kotel: Men's Section 9 x 11" Oil on canvas Not for sale (Print available)
Havruta (Learning Partners) 18 x 24″ Oil on canvas $1,600
Elie Wiesel 1928-2016 18 x 18″ Oil on canvas $1,300
Moritz "Moshe" Wolkenfeld 1908-1945 36 x 24" Oil on canvas $2,200
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Laurel Watson |
I am a lifelong Jewish Chicagoan and
stay-at-home mom who dabbles in arts and crafts on rare occasions
when I have time, energy, space to work, and money for art supplies
and/or funds to take art classes. I am honored to have my small
piece included in such a wonderful collection of fine art by Jewish
artists!
I come from a family in the arts and academia and as a child studied at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago, as my mother had. As an adult, I take classes at Evanston's Open Studio Project and the Evanston Arts Center, where I recently exhibited a sculpture in their student exhibition. When my Bubbie and Zadie bought their house in West Rogers Park in the 1950s, it was a solid Jewish neighborhood, but it changed as my parents raised me and my sibling. When I got married, I moved to Evanston, which has a large Jewish community, and two thriving synagogues, one of which my family, including my child, is a member. We have many creative and talented people at our shul: artists, musicians, writers, photographers, and filmmakers. I am grateful for all the time my family gets to spend in their midst, having our spirits raised and gaining inspiration and opportunities to explore and expand my creative expression further.
Shalom Acrylic and Ink on Canvas 10" round $50
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
FIRST LIGHT SPONSOR
$1,000
Opportunity to speak at Opening Reception
Acknowledgment in press releases and social media
Name and Logo on Exhibit Signage and Poster
Link to Company's URL on exhibition webpage
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BLUE STAR SPONSOR
$500
Name and Logo on Exhibit Signage and Poster
Link to Company's URL on exhibition webpage
Tax deductible (according to 501(c)(3) rules)
INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR
$100 or less
Name listed on Exhibition webpage
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Contact info@anatomicallycorrect.org to arrange for a sponsorship invoice
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No text or photograph contained in the pages of this website may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the artist and/or Anatomically Correct.
Founded in 1991, Anatomically Correct is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to showcasing works by artists in alternative spaces in a combined effort to educate, diversify, and promote community awareness of the visual and performing arts.
Anatomically Correct is partially supported by the following:
Skokie Park District
and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council
through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
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