Come see the light and explore the work of Oregon Jewish artists on Oct. 17 and 18.
The Saturday evening Taste of Art preview party will fill the Mittleman Jewish Community Center ballroom to the max with original works of art, an array of tasty foods and beverages, live entertainment, and a preview and sale of Sunday’s art exhibition and sale. The preview party will run from 7 to 9:30 pm, Oct. 17.
The Ninth Annual Celebration of Art exhibit and sale starts the next morning at 10:30 am in the MJCC ballroom. Jewish artists and their work will be on hand until 4:30 pm, Oct. 18. Admission to both events is free. Both are hosted by ORA Northwest Jewish Artists, the only arts organization devoted to promoting art created by Jewish artists in Oregon and Washington.
ORA’s mission includes connecting artists with art lovers and collectors of all ages. Last year’s opening night event was a huge success, drawing crowds of fun-loving adults. This year’s Saturday evening party will feature wine and food tastings, as well as tastings from Ambacht Brewing (including its famous Matzobrau beer) and Gompers Gin, an Oregon distillery named for Herman Gompers, a Holocaust survivor and participant in the USC Shoah Foundation video testimonial program. Live music will be provided by the popular band The Noted, whose musical offerings are sure to be crowd pleasers. Jazz pianist George Fendel and classical and jazz musician Rich Garber will provide music on Sunday as visitors browse the aisles of art.
For every $25 spent on art at Saturday’s Taste of Art or Sunday’s Celebration of Art, the buyer will receive a raffle ticket toward one of five prize packages. Prize packages include a fabulous date night downtown at the Westin Portland, a Hillsdale/Multnomah basket and an Art of Cooking package. The raffle drawing will be held at 4 pm on Sunday; you need not be present to win.
More than 25 Jewish artists will have their works on display and for sale. ORA artists work in a variety of media including paint, fiber, stone, ceramics, beadwork, photography, precious metals, fused glass, silk and collage. Over the years ORA has expanded its membership to include artists outside the Portland metropolitan area. In recent years many talented male artists have become active members of the collective, augmenting a core of dedicated women founders.
To see what other events ORA artists participate in, visit northwestjewishartists.org/events.html.
ORA means “light” in Hebrew. Remember to light up your evening on Saturday, Oct. 17.
