Tel Aviv artist Ben Aderet to highlight opening night gala for ‘Expressions’ at Park Synagogue
By Carlo Wolff
A wide range of Israeli art will be available at “Expressions,” a fundraiser set for May 19-22 at Park Synagogue East in Pepper Pike. An opening night gala May 18 will feature the Tel Aviv artist Nissim Ben Aderet, creating sketch paintings that will be for sale during a silent auction that evening.
“There’ll be lots of sculpture, photographs, paintings, sketches and drawings,” said Anita Siegal, co-chair of the event for the third time. The show will feature artwork from Expressions, a Tel Aviv gallery owned by Meir Assour, an Israeli who goes by the name, “Major,” and arranges Expressions shows all over the world, Siegal said. “The idea of having Nissim as a feature opening night was Major Assour’s,” she added.
Some of the art will be very traditional, including Judaica, menorahs and mezuzahs, and Assour will bring a few pieces of more traditional Jewish jewelry. Some pieces “will be quite expensive and others will be quite affordable.”
The goal of this Expressions is to “attract a broader demographic,” Siegal said.
Over the years, Siegal, who is married to Michael Siegal, CEO of Olympic Steel and former chair of the Jewish Federations of North America board of trustees, has acquired art from Expressions, and she said she urges people traveling to Israel to visit Assour’s gallery. The Siegals live in Gates Mills.
Her husband “is the art collector between the two of us,” said Siegal. “I have veto power, but he’s really the selector. It’s his passion. He loves art.” CV
On view
WHAT: Expressions: Celebrating Israeli Art at Park
WHERE: Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike
WHEN: Opening night gala May 18; show runs May 19-22.
TICKETS & INFO: $250 for Collector for opening night gala, starting at 6 p.m.; $100 for Patron, starting at 7:30 p.m. Sponsorships available. Admission to regular show $5. Call 216-371-2244 or visit parksynagogue.org.
Originally published in the Cleveland Jewish News on May 4, 2016.
Lead image: Israeli artist Nissim Ben Aderet
