Congregation Anshei Israel will hold a “Festival of Israeli Art Show and Sale” Feb. 13 to 16 to benefit CAI’s youth and education programs. More than 1,500 works of art by over 100 known and upcoming Israeli artists will be on display. Presented by Safrai Gallery of Israel, the offerings will include original oil paintings, watercolors, lithographs and etchings.
“This art exhibit provides a unique opportunity for Americans to get a glimpse of the exciting and expanding world of Israeli art, which ordinarily can only be seen if you travel to Israel,” says Menachem Safrai, a third-generation gallery owner. Safrai’s grandfather, Asher Bookbinder, opened the gallery in Jerusalem in 1935.
Israeli art is not restricted to Jewish subjects. “We cannot say there is an ‘Israeli style,’ as we can with other cultures,” Safrai explains. “Most Israeli art is immigrant art, due to the influence of a number of different waves of artists who came to Israel over the past century, each bringing their own heritage and style. Israeli art is not simply bearded rabbis in black hats.”
A preview gala for sponsors with food, wine and music will be held Thursday, Feb 13, 7 to 10 p.m. Sponsorships start at $75 per couple. The exhibit opens to the public Friday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a lecturer from the University of Arizona Museum of Art at 11 a.m. Hours on Saturday, Feb. 15 are 7:30 to 10 p.m., with a dessert reception. Sunday, Feb. 16 the show will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an art project for children at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
To become a sponsor, or for more information, call Jami Gan at 271-7349.
