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Category: Art & Culture

Conversation with the Curator

Posted on by Sarah Berry

Four Questions with Samantha Rose Mandeles, photographer of “The Abayudaya: Portrait of an African Jewish Community.”

The Abayudaya, who number about 2,000 souls, are concentrated in a few towns and villages in eastern Uganda and western Kenya. Devout in practice, keeping kosher and observing Shabbat and holy days, the Abayudaya (a word in the local language Luganda meaning “People of Judah”) have been recognized as Jews by Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative and Renewal movements of Judaism.  

Ezra Uganda Assistance, a 501c3 non-profit founded 2016 by Washington area rabbi, teacher, and author Leila Gal Berner, supports the Abayudaya community of Namutumba. EUA board member Samantha Rose Mandeles is a skilled travel photographer. Mandeles took all of these photographs during the two weeks she lived in the village of Namutumba in late 2021, on a mission to hand-carry a Torah donated by Temple Beth El of Hammonton, NJ, which was closing its doors.  

A portion of all sales in this exhibition will go directly to support the Abayudaya living in Namutumba.

“The Abayudaya: Portrait of an African Jewish Community” exhibition closes October 6. Watching people slow their stride through the Bodzin Art Gallery has been a wonderful testament of human-to-human connection. Regardless of how we see these portraits, child to child, parent to parent, Jew to Jew, is a reminder of why cultural exchange is essential. It is a pleasure to share these impactful photographs and Samantha’s responses to my four questions.

Enjoy,
Sarah Berry
Curator, Bodzin Art Gallery 

What came first, your love of travel or your love of photography?

I can’t really separate the two. I love traveling. I have two world maps where I can scratch off every place that I have been. But when I travel, I see everything with a photographic perspective. It’s an artistic habit—I’m always looking at composition, texture, perspective; for unusual and interesting juxtapositions, perhaps things that you wouldn’t expect to see together. And I’m very interested in color and texture—how the different colors and textures are shaping my impressions, how they are contrasting or blending together. As an example, one of my favorite pictures from the exhibition is Mother and Boy in Blue. It’s a photograph that tells a story, but it also attracts me because of the vivid color–the brightness of the cobalt blue shirt contrasting with the rich brown of the mother’s skin, the striped pattern on the boy’s tee contrasting with the florals of the mother’s skirt, the yellow highlights in her hair, and the shine of their plastic chair.

Most of your photos from Uganda are of people. How did you gravitate to this documentary style?

Certainly part of the emphasis on people in my Uganda photos was directly related to my mission of understanding the lives of the people in Namutumba, and bringing images that communicated about them and their lives to a wider audience. But even putting that aside, the most compelling images had to be built on the people—they were beautiful both in their external appearance and in their internal spirit. Who they are as people and as Jews just emanates through them and I wanted to capture that essence in my photography. Their faces were so varied and beautiful, their expressions were so communicative, their clothing was so colorful, it was irresistible. And, the people were the story; without the people, pictures of the place would have been mostly mute. The other thing that makes me smile as I think about it is that these folks really, really wanted to be photographed. They were thrilled to have me snap away freely and they made it just a joy.

What were the high and low points of your visit to Uganda?

The high point was definitely passing the new Torah to the community on the first Shabbat I was with them, and experiencing the Shabbat Torah service they were able to hold for the first time from this Torah. It’s hard to describe in words—so much joy, so much gratitude, so much spiritual energy. Of course, there are no photographs of this special experience, as it was Shabbat when photography is not permitted. The low points mostly were my travel experiences—getting to Uganda aboard multiple airplanes, through multiple airports, shlepping the heavy Torah while wearing an orthopedic boot and trying to convince various airline personnel that I really did have to carry the Torah on board, and no they could not put it in the baggage hold. It was a nightmare.

Do you have any advice to share with aspiring documentary photographers?

Maybe it goes without saying, but the story is really the point in documentary photography. You have to figure out what story you are trying to tell in each photograph—although the larger picture of the collection will only emerge as you go. Don’t look for perfect, look for what fascinates you or moves you or makes you want to cry or laugh. And you don’t need fancy equipment. I shot my photos with an amateur DSLR and my phone camera. If you only have a phone camera, that’s ok. Take a lot of photographs and use them as learning tools so that you build your understanding about composition, focus, and color. Show your stuff to friends and family and ask for feedback; they don’t have to be photography experts either. Most of all, find subject matter that you are really curious to discover. Don’t worry about audience, or about what other people will like, just click away and have a blast.

A Day with the J

Posted on by Michelle Pearlstein

Join us for a day of commUNITY on Sunday, September 22!

Building, supporting, connecting, and enriching this vibrant COMMUNITY is our primary mission here at the J. Our programs and activities are available for all ages and are designed to meet a wide range of interests. There’s something for everyone!   

If you are reading this, you probably already know that at the J, you can learn something new, make new friends, and take time to invest in yourself. You may also know that families appreciate the opportunities we provide to engage with other families via programs throughout Northern Virginia. They also value the warm and caring environments of our Early Childhood Learning Center and our programs for school-age children.   

Spend YOUR day with the J next Sunday and get a taste of it all! 

  1. Open House – 10:00am-1:30pm @ Pozez JCC 

Whether you’re a lifelong local or new to the neighborhood, join us for a fun community-wide event! 

Are you a member? Bring a non-member with you to be entered into a special raffle! 

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up at the event for a special promotion!  

Activities include inflatables, face painting, FREE hotdogs and popcorn, BINGO, volunteer opportunities, fitness demonstrations, a vaccine clinic, tours of the J and our Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), and more. While this event is free and open to the public, there will be a fee to purchase raffle tickets and Bingo cards. 

  1. Ladies Loving Laughter and Learning/4Ls Lunch Out – 11:00am-1:00pm 

An afternoon of fun and camaraderie for members who connect through the 4Ls Facebook Group 

  1. Apple Picking – 1:00 pm @ Stribling Orchard in Markham, VA 

Apple picking is fun for everyone! Meet at Stribling Orchard – a gorgeous drive west, about an hour from the Pozez JCC. Bring your own picnic blanket or camp chair and look for the Growing Jewish Families sign and banner to find us. 

  1. “A White House Correspondent Remembers: Jewish Experiences and Other Adventures with Six Presidents” Featuring Peter Maer, Veteran Journalist – 2:00pm @ Pozez JCC 

We are thrilled to welcome veteran journalist and local community member Peter Maer to share his personal photos and stories from his many years of encounters with world leaders. 

Whether you spend significant amounts of your time at the J, participate in programs occasionally, or anything in between, we want to thank you for being part of our community and look forward to creating many more memories together this year! 

How a Camp Created a Community

Posted on by Shirley Waxman

As with many beginnings, it all started over a cup of coffee. Well, two cups of coffee to be exact. Fifty-five years ago, in 1969, three Northern Virginia suburban moms got together one morning for coffee. But the one who served as host of the event then walked out of the room.

Judy Frank had invited Adele Greenspon and Shirley Waxman over to meet. They barely knew each other. When they arrived, they found the table set only with two coffee cups. Upon seeing their puzzled looks, Judy explained the premise of the meeting: “I am so sick of listening to the two of you complain because there is no Jewish day camp in Northern Virginia for your kids. If anyone can create a camp, it’s the two of you. Adele, you handle the business end; Shirley you do the programming! Make a camp for your kids and mine too. I’m leaving.” And so she did!

At that time, there were four synagogues in Northern Virginia but not a cohesive community center. How to begin to create something from nothing? Fortunately, Judy had chosen the right two people to ignite this idea. Adele was a whiz at organizing and had a real head for business management. Shirley had an extensive background in youth movement and camping. She had grown up attending the JCC camp in Hamilton, Ontario. She had worked there as a counselor and also had been totally immersed in Hashomer Hatzair, the vibrant Zionist youth movement. Her summers at their Camp Shomria in the Canadian wilderness were steeped in Israeli folk dance, culture and leadership training.

Without hesitation, Adele and Shirley decided to accept Judy’s challenge and they immediately got to work.

The first necessary piece of this new endeavor was a location. Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria gave them the use of their building and there were 70 excited campers that first summer. Over time, the camp moved to Beth El Congregation also in Alexandria, Temple Rodeph Shalom in Falls Church and finally Congregation Olam Tikvah in Fairfax, before finding their “forever home” at what would later become the Pozez JCC.

They next turned their attention to personnel matters. They persuaded Shirley Grossman, an accomplished composer and creator of musicals, to join them. They knew art was a must and they hired a very talented artist, Alice Neukirk, who created the camp logo.

Next they needed a name. Shirley turned to her youth group friend and Hebrew University professor for inspiration. Dr. Ted Friedgut told her: “You are creating a community of friendship and brotherhood. Call it Camp Achva.” And so it became.

Their founding philosophy was to instill a love of Jewish culture in each child. Everything revolved around that. Each place, object, program or activity would have a Hebrew name and signs were posted everywhere. Shirley drew strongly upon her camping days to create a Jewish environment in the Northern Virginia suburbs.

They created a central meeting site where each morning, the campers raised the flag and sang Hatikvah, and ended each day with Taps sung in Hebrew. There was a campsite for each group with a Hebrew name. The campers decorated it to make it their own and illustrate that name. Sports were certainly not overlooked. Gaga, the Israeli game of Dodge Ball, was played everywhere. There was to be total immersion in Hebrew and Judaism. 

 Friday, of course, was the most special day of the week. The day would begin with a flurry of cleaning, decorating and rehearsing. Then, everyone changed into their Shabbat white clothes and the magic began. Adele and Shirley would begin the procession to each camp site collecting the kids and singing Shabbat songs along the way. It was such a thrill to watch and be a part of this. Everyone would gather in a circle on the social hall floor, light Shabbat candles and welcome Shabbat with song and much joy.

Each week had a theme and each group prepared a skit or some sort of presentation to be presented for the Shabbat program. Following the skits, Shirley would lead the entire camp in Israeli folk dance. There was total participation with never a bystander.

About the third summer, Adele and Shirley, the camp directors, hired the Tsofim Friendship Caravan, a group of Israeli musicians to perform at camp.  That was when they met Amnon Shiloh, a veritable Israeli pied piper, and a very special person who sang and played the accordion. Everyone was mesmerized by him and he was promptly hired for every summer after that.  He taught Hebrew songs and instilled the joy and spirit of Israel in everyone.

Everyday each group would have a session with Shirley Grossman, learning their part for the original musical that would be the end of year program, and meet with Shirley Waxman to learn Israeli folk dance. And there was always a special session with Amnon.

All the parents were invited to the final program of the camp season. It featured the campers in the big musical performance, an art show, along with much song and dance. It was the highlight of the summer. And of course, there were tears – tears of joy and sadness – upon leaving this special “Brigadoon-like” Jewish community.

Looking back with much nostalgia, the founders set out to create a camp and ended up laying the foundation for a strong and vibrant Jewish community. Camp Achva paved the way for what later became the Pozez JCC. And in so doing, created a new generation of young people steeped in Jewish song, dance and Jewish values. It is a testament to that founding vision that these values continue at Camp Achva to this very day.

Shirley Waxman, July 2024

NURTURING BEGINNINGS: ELEVATING THE WORK OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

Posted on by Hillary Gile

Pozez JCC’s Within the Reggio Emilia approach, documentation serves many purposes. As early childhood educators, the process of engaging in documentation forces us to be mindful, intentional, and attuned to the learning processes of the children. It requires us to listen deeply to what the children are communicating, which takes place through “one hundred languages” of expression. It beckons us to truly see each child, and for them to feel that they are seen, heard, affirmed, and valued. In capturing the learning of the children, documentation makes this learning visible to fellow early childhood colleagues, the children themselves, families, and the greater community, becoming not simply something to show, but a source of reflection, conversation, and a means of further extending the meaning-making processes of children. 

For the past 14 years with the exception of Covid, the ECLC has created an annual Exhibit sharing documentation of the unique and emergent learning journeys that have evolved in classes over the course of the school year. These journeys, depicted in narrative form with photographs, videos, and artifacts of the children’s work, share with a greater audience the importance of early childhood, and the wonder and innate wisdom that children hold. 

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the ECLC assumes a constructivist approach to learning (meaning that children are active participants in the building of knowledge) and implements an emergent curriculum (the curriculum is not preset or predetermined, but rather evolves based on the educators’ observations of the children’s questions, intrigues, and theories). This allows for learning that is rich, meaningful, and diverse from class to class, and year to year, making each annual Exhibit new, exciting, and hopefully thought-provoking.

The exhibit also serves to illustrate what high quality early childhood education looks like as a point of advocacy to voice the need to address the early childhood education and care crisis that currently faces our nation. Throughout the United States, access to high quality early childhood education and care remains inequitable. The ECLC is fortunate to be part of a community and organization where the value of early childhood is seen, and we hope to use this and Exhibit as a platform to advocate for changes made on a policy level.

We were thrilled to host this year’s Exhibit “Nurturing Beginnings: Elevating the Work of Early Childhood” with an opening event this past Thursday, where guests were presented with a brief presentation followed by an invitation to view the Exhibit alongside the children who are featured in these documented learning experiences. The Exhibit will remain up in the Bodzin art gallery until August 5th, we invite you to check it out!  

Celebrating Shavuot: Tradition, Dairy Delights, and Family Fun

Posted on by Amy Lummer

Shavuot, a significant festival holiday in the Jewish calendar, often gets overlooked amidst the more widely recognized celebrations like Passover and Chanukah.

Jewish tradition teaches that all Jewish souls that ever existed and will exist in this world were standing under the mount Sinai receiving Torah from Moses. Let’s explore what Shavuot is all about, why dairy plays a starring role in its celebration, and how you can make it memorable with delicious recipes and fun family traditions.

What is Shavuot?

Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, commemorates Moses receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai. This event, occurring seven weeks after Passover (at the end of the Omer), is considered a cornerstone of Jewish faith, symbolizing the covenant between God and the Israelites, the moment, when a group of people who up to this point were just a huge extended family (all descendants of Jacob) became a nation with its own language, laws and governing structure. Shavuot is a time to celebrate the giving of the Torah, engage in study, and reflect on its teachings… an excellent opportunity for the community to connect with each other.

Dairy – Why?

One of the most distinctive aspects of Shavuot is the tradition of consuming dairy products. Several explanations exist for this custom, here are a couple:

  • One popular interpretation is that upon receiving the Torah, including its dietary laws, the Israelites could not prepare kosher meat with the utensils they had, leading them to eat dairy instead.
  • Another explanation is the association of the Torah with the “land flowing with milk and honey,” signifying abundance and prosperity.
  • As a mom, I like this one most of all: Like a mother’s milk is a source of love and safety, Torah is the source of life, structure and the greatest joy of learning!

Favorite Dairy Recipes

To honor this tradition, many families prepare and enjoy an array of dairy dishes. Here are a couple of my family’s favorite recipes that can make your Shavuot celebration delicious:

My Favorite Cheesecake – https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/the-ultimate-cheesecake-recipe-1914053

My daughter brought this idea home from summer camp, try it out!:

Rhubarb and Fennel Ice Cream

Ingredients:
2 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup sugar
1 fennel top, (the green!) finely chopped
2 cups half and half
1 cup whole milk
4 egg yolks

Instructions:

In a saucepan, combine rhubarb, fennel, and 1/2 cup sugar. Cook over medium heat until soft, then puree in food processor or blender and set aside.

In another saucepan, heat cream and milk until simmering.

Whisk egg yolks with the remaining sugar until pale. Slowly pour in the hot cream mixture, whisking constantly.

Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat until thickened.

Stir in the rhubarb-fennel puree and let cool. Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Family Tradition of Trying New Ice Cream

Our family has a tradition of exploring new ice cream shops each Shavuot. It adds an element of fun and anticipation to the holiday, making it a favorite for both kids and adults. Here are some memorable spots we’ve visited over the years:

Casa Rosada: Argentinian ice cream, known for its artisanal flavors and fresh ingredients.
The Yard: Famous for its extravagant milkshakes.
Battlefield Country Store: Crazy milkshakes in a fun country store.
Jeni’s: Renowned for its unique and gourmet flavor combinations, we like the sample plate.
Ice Cream Jubilee: A local favorite with creative and seasonal options.
Peterson’s: A classic spot offering a nostalgic ice cream experience, order at the window and pretend you are at the beach.
Moo Thru: Celebrated for its farm-fresh ice cream made from local dairy, we love the dark chocolate, available at their Remington location.

Do you have recipe or ice cream suggestions to share? We are ready for our new ice cream spot! Email Amy.Lummer@theJ.org.

This Shavuot, embrace the holiday’s traditions, indulge in delightful dairy treats, and create lasting memories with your family. Whether you’re making a classic cheesecake, experimenting with homemade ice cream, or visiting a new ice cream shop, let the spirit of Shavuot fill your home with joy and sweetness.

Chag Shavuot Sameach!

In Conversation With Artist Sandra Dovberg

Posted on by Sarah Berry

The J’s Bodzin Art Gallery-goers have been excited to take in the new exhibition with curiousity to know if all the artwork is by the same artist. Sandra Dovberg’s mastery of both landscape paintings and abstractions have impressed many of us. In this blog, Sarah Berry, the gallery curator, speaks with Sandra to learn what inspires the artist, how she decides what to paint when faced with a blank canvas, and how she defines her vast style. See the exhibit “UNBOUNDED” before it closes on July 5.

When you sit down to paint, do you have an idea whether you will paint a landscape or an abstract before you approach the canvas or do you let the inspiration flow once you are in front of the blank canvas?

I work with common compositional patterns that can work with either abstract or expressive realism.  The subject matter stems from experience, memory and photo references that I take in my daily journeys. The first step is to commit to covering the canvas with paint, using a personal choice of color temps from warm to cold and or dark to light value changes.  Various tools are used to apply paint, not just paint brushes.  Be brave, have courage!

When did you start making art and what keeps you going?

Early on in elementary school, my parents and teachers recognized my interest in working with my hands to create.  In school I was always selected to make holiday decorations: murals for windows, blackboards & bulletin boards, sometimes alone or leading the pack.  My parents bought me paint by number oil sets, a woodburning set and finally a sewing machine for my 8th grade graduation.  Making clothing led eventually to my extensive career in silversmithing and original jewelry creations.  In college, I majored in Studio Art leading to a deeper understanding of color theory, composition, drawing, painting, and especially working with metal and enamels.

You place your art in the category of Neoexpressionism.  What is that, and why do you think that is the term that best captures what you create?  

Expressionism came into being during and after WWI. Famous artists, such as Egon Schiele and Edvard Munch were seeking to depict not objective reality but rather the subjective emotion & responses that objects and events aroused in a person.  

Neo Expressionism came along later in the 70s.  In my work, I often combine elements of figurative portrayal with abstract  emotional color and mark making in order to tell a story.

Do you have any advice to share w/ aspiring artists?

Try not to make making $ your main goal. Constantly explore and don’t rely on just one teacher.  Take workshops or college level courses from many different teachers,  Overcome your fear of that expensive blank piece of paper or precious metals and gems.  Take a breath and force yourself to get started and then the MOMENTUM will push you forward.  Get involved with an arts organization where you will be constantly stimulated by challenges to produce, learn how to hang and display shows, how to develop the business side of making art and make friends of like-minded people.   

Bodzin Art Gallery Presents: In Conversation with J Artist Ilana Hever

Posted on by Sarah Berry

Since March 21, the vibrant and serene mixed media artworks by local artist, Ilana Hever have been turning heads in the Bodzin Art Gallery. Aptly named “Joyful Journey with People, Places, and Nature,” the exhibition is a 25-piece window into what the artist considers to be the keys to empathy and self-reflection.  Sarah Berry asks the artist four questions about her process, the intersections of art and psychology, and advice for artists on their journeys.

When did you start making art and what keeps you going?

I started painting in 1985. I painted for several years then shifted to study Counseling Psychology while holding a degree in Art History and Philosophy from Tel Aviv University.

As a single mother, I dedicated my time to raise my two beautiful daughters and made a living working in art galleries. Using my education, I was able to gain insight on different perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of images, colors and composition which shaped my skills in self-expression and reflection as an artist myself.

How did you gravitate to the medium and style you are working on?

Impressionism and pointillism are what I admired most while studying art history and this is what I implement in my art. My psychology expertise has contributed to my art by shaping my self-expression, helping develop empathy to nature, to people, and places, and uncovering the story behind an image. Visual analysis and critical thinking also contribute to my art.

In today’s world, everything is visual. We are trained to shift from verbal to visual thinking.

How does your work as a psychotherapist inform your practice as an artist?

Most people have difficulties communicating feelings and thoughts, so I have implemented art into my counseling practice. Counseling  provides a process that gives people focus and can help them make appropriate choices, using art can give people tools to create a picture of their own image and issues – revealing the invisible, making it visible.

Do you have any advice to share with aspiring artists?

Receiving feedback from others can help artists see their work in a new light and inspire them to explore new directions. I am a big advocate of learning and exploring nature, people, and places. Appreciate the beauty of art and nature that surrounds you. Open your mind to philosophical concepts, and connect to all aspects of art. Most importantly, create a narrative in each picture and never stop learning.

Getting to know the ECLC Fairfax’s Atelier

Posted on by Sarah Vejvoda

Aligning with the principles of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the Pozez JCC Early Childhood Learning Center established an Atelier in 2010. Over the years the ECLC’s atelier has become an integral part of the children’s learning experiences at school, as an active space where curiosity is sparked and creativity flourishes.

But what is an Atelier in an early childhood context?

Atelier is a French word defined as a workshop or studio. For the young children that attend the ECLC, the Atelier is a space, a laboratory of sorts, where they can express themselves authentically, question, wonder, and discover new knowledge through aesthetic experiences.

Children live in a world of relationships, and use multiple senses, such as touching, smelling, tasting, and listening, to investigate and process connections between themselves and the world around them. This interconnectedness is not limited, but incorporates materials, provided, or discovered. In the Atelier, materials are presented in visually appealing ways, and the quality and authenticity of materials are essential in supporting the children’s thinking and learning. Children are given agency to explore these materials through poly-sensorial investigations. As children become more familiar with a material, it evolves into a ‘language’ for them to further communicate their thoughts and ideas. Intentional considerations of materials demonstrate deep respect for children’s capabilities and the importance of aesthetic experiences in learning.

In the Atelier, small groups of children visit at a time.  There are many benefits to working in a small group context, as there tends to be fewer distractions, establishing a place for children to observe, interact, listen, and learn from each other. Through small group interactions, children not only learn from their peers but also develop crucial social skills and a sense of belonging within the learning community.

This year, the intention of the atelier has been focused on mark-making. The goal is to continually offer a variety of materials to explore different impressions, scribbles, patterns, and shapes, which is simply the beginning of emergent writing. In the early stages of mark-making, utilizing different types of tools, from watercolor paints to clay, strengthens hands while children are engaged in the simple physical pleasures of making marks. When children realize that they can control their marks and share their ideas through these various forms of languages, mark making becomes a form of connection, as the traces that are left are purposeful. Each child is on their own journey, as they practice coordination and creativity through their own aesthetic lens.

A new video highlighting the happenings of the ECLC’s Atelier is being featured in the Pozez JCC lobby. As the children that attend the ECLC are the largest population that inhabit the community center daily, showcasing them and the work that they do shares to the children that they are valued, seen, and are contributing members of the community. Please enjoy!

ECLC Atelier Video

The Bodzin Art Gallery Presents: Curator’s Conversation with J Artists, with Anne Schlachter-Dagan

Posted on by Sarah Berry

There are some conversations that stay with us forever. I was lucky to have one such conversation with Anne Schlachter-Dagan at opening night of the 11th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia

Anne Schlacter-Dagan’s oil paintings and digital artworks offer a glimpse into her personal experiences and highlight the difficulties she encounters in perceiving light and color. We spoke about her process as an artist. I was able to ask Anne about her reaction to the four short films, which all focused on artists and entrepreneurs with disabilities, most of them blind. We wrapped up our conversation by talking about how a blind artist can change the world. This blog recounts some of that conversation for you now.

Anne, myself, and our audience were very moved by how powerful it is to share stories that defy what most people hold true. I invite you to come see for yourself how important shifting your perceptions of what a legally blind, color blind artist can do.  “Bright Darkness” is on view in the Bodzin until March 6, 2024.

When did you start making art and what keeps you going?

I discovered my passion for art when I was very you and during high school, I pursued it as my major. However, after life led me on a different journey, I only returned to art in 2015 while living in South America. Under the guidance of artist Paul Birchall, I realized my creative potential. The drive to create new, intriguing things and push my limits keeps me going. I must say though that having a supportive partner enables me to balance art, a full-time job, and raising three children.

How did you gravitate to the medium and style you are working in?

I express my artistic vision through oil and digital paintings. Due to limited vision, working with oils suits me as it allows for a slower pace and easy revisiting, unlike acrylics for example. Discovering the digital medium during my B.A. in Studio Arts, 5 years ago, opened up new possibilities, offering the magic of enlarging everything on the screen.

In terms of style, my focus lies in capturing light. I contemplate its impact – whether harsh or soothing – and through a slightly unreal approach, I draw attention to it. Transitioning from realistic to more emotionally driven paintings took time but enriched my artistic journey.

Since you shared that you have difficulty detecting color, how do you select the colors we can see in your art?

Given my inability to detect color, selecting specific colors is impossible. I often opt for random choices, but I’m influenced by societal color meanings. I incorporate monochromatic elements in each painting so for me, each painting looks colorful.

Do you have any advice to share with aspiring artists?

My main advice is TRY! and don’t shy away from making mistakes—they are steppingstones to growth.  Happy creating!

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Community partnerships, stigma-smashing film, and fine art

Posted on by Sarah Berry

The 2024 festival will open at the J and close at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts at the REACH’s Justice Forum. As per festival tradition encouraging accessibility for all, the films will be screened by partner venues throughout the region.

“These partnerships have been a cornerstone of the festival’s success since day one, eleven years ago,” says the festival’s director, Sarah Berry. “When we moved the festival to February  in commemoration of Jewish Disabilities Inclusion and Awareness Month, many of the local synagogues became participating venues.”

This year, half of the venues are synagogues, and the other half are a combination of arts organizations and direct service organizations. “It’s a privilege to work as a presenting partner with these organizations, we are all driven by similar missions of access, culture, and community,” Berry adds.

This year, our partners include Beth El Hebrew Congregation with Agudas Achim, Congregation Adat Reyim, Congregation Olam Tikvah, Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, Reston Community Center’s CenterStage, ServiceSource, Temple Rodef Shalom, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The J is hosting the opening night screening, with attendee groups including Hadassah and Our Stomping Ground.

Not able to travel around town? No problem. ReelAbilities Northern Virginia will continue to make all films in the festival available to stream online. The lineup is comprised of contemporary international films, complemented by post-film programs, and an exhibit in the J’s Bodzin Art Gallery. For a full listing of events, visit www.theJ.org/ReelAbilities.

To screen the festival online, create an account at www.raffnv.filmfestivalplus.com.

Join us opening night!

We are excited to invite the community for a full program celebrating the arts on opening night. The evening includes a suite of short films celebrating creativity: films will cover topics such as art, entrepreneurship, comedy, filmmaking, and theater, allowing us glimpses into the lives of creatives in these fields, and how they make their art and dreams happen. The films will be followed by a Q&A with Anne Schlachter-Dagan, a local, legally blind painter.

Schlachter-Dagan’s exhibition, Bright Darkness, is now on view at the J’s Bodzin Art Gallery through March 6, offering viewers a glimpse into her personal experiences and highlighting the difficulties she encounters in perceiving light and color.

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia aims to shine light on the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Each film selected for the 2024 festival was done so with care by a committee of screeners, as well as each presenting venue. Thought was put into the quality of the films, the messaging, and the goal of each event. Heartfelt thanks for your time, committee members: Harold Belkowitz, LaRue Cook, Joan Ehrlich, Rachel Greenblatt, Dawn Kaye, Nancy Reder, Bill Rosen, BoMi Rosen, Michael Toobin, Charlotte Woodward, and Darcy Woodward.

We look forward to sharing these stigma-smashing films with our community, both in-person and virtually. Reserve your seats now at www.theJ.org/ReelAbilities.