Join Art Kibbutz at the ArtFest
At the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Sunday, June 30 - Wednesday, July 3, 2013
This art festival offers a wildly diverse array of opportunities to create, and engage with the arts!
We are represented by Patricia Eszter Margit who will present 2 lectures and Yona Verwer who will lead an Amulet Painting workshop and an illustrated discussion Revolutionizing the Jewish Art Community.
More info here
Sunday, June 30 - Wednesday, July 3, 2013
This art festival offers a wildly diverse array of opportunities to create, and engage with the arts!
We are represented by Patricia Eszter Margit who will present 2 lectures and Yona Verwer who will lead an Amulet Painting workshop and an illustrated discussion Revolutionizing the Jewish Art Community.
More info here
Director's Note - At the End of Our First Residency Program
As the Putnam Valley rouses itself from its wintry slumber the rich and vibrant landscape of Eden Village will be enlarged and enhanced by several pieces of art installed and made part of this land's long history by thirty international Jewish artists who participated in the first artist residency of Art Kibbutz.
Devora Neumark (Montreal) and Deborah Margo (Ottawa) created PRESENT WITH THE WIND during the first session of Art Kibbutz May 1 to 7, 2013. Utilizing organic parchment paper, thread and materials found in the forest, this installation, intentionally temporary is intended to suggest the connections between Heaven and Earth. The locality informs both structure and placement: the contents all come from the surrounding floor and flora. The placement of the ten parchment membranes hanging around the lakeside are moved by the sun and wind from dawn to dawn. Inspired by the work of James Turrell and Sook Jin Jo is intended to encourage contemplation of the connections between heaven and earth in the week before Shavuot.
Ceramic artist Emmett Leader has created a beautiful gateway for the 2.5 acre organic garden that The Jewish Farm School’s intentional community is developing day by day. This gateway consisting of an arch that holds five beautiful friezes and 15 foot poles braided together was dedicated on our Open Studio day on May 12th, when more than eighty people -- friends, journalists, families, came to spend the day, visiting artists' studios, enjoying the beauty of the awakening landscape, appreciating what some of them have helped create with their generous donations, and all getting to know Eden Village. They all got more than a glimpse of "The Jewish Waltz with Planet Earth" residency, which is leaving behind numerous prayer flags made by Carrol Philips.
For the entire time of the retreat Asherah Cinnamon from Maine and Nikki Green from Western Australia have been busy scouring the woodlands of the campgrounds, the hills surrounding the glacial lake collecting the branches, roots and saplings which they have used to construct a twelve foot shin representing the Shma:Listen which has been moved from the studio toward the lakeside. At sunset it was launched and set afloat on the lake. Its vibrations will long remain in this valley, possibly longer than the impact it had on the community that helped launch it and witnessed its movement across the lake.
The water inspired Cynthia Beth Rubin is creating a video portrait based on the micro motives found in the mud of the lake. Israeli composer Kobi Arad’s improvisation explored the Divine Names of Hashem in nature. Kobi created an entirely new musical language based on Kabbalistic numerology that inspired several collaborations. He started recording his new CD at Art Kibbutz and created a groundbreaking collaboration with Ikhlaq Hussein Khan, Pakistani sitar maestro who is on a similar quest from a Sufi perspective. Diversity has been one of the most unique elements of our experience as art created a common ground for open and serious discourse. The residency provided a peaceful environment where faculty leading professors from Canada seriously engaged on a range of topics with an orthodox emerging artist from Latin America in his twenties. The atmosphere was safe enough for participants to be able to engage with artists from different disciplines, often differing from themselves in fundamental was. Yet, collaborations, mentoring relationships, friendships, and even love affairs were formed. Jackie Brookner initiated a joint art project on an environmental theme that will hopefully reach beyond this retreat and provide even more artists with the opportunity to engage in this very important theme.
It is not possible to report on the doings of all the participants, the writers, sculptors, dancers and musicians whose work will bear fruit as the leaves now blossoming fall to the ground. But we know the Art Kibbutz community, Eden Village and the Jewish art world has been enriched by the hands, hearts and minds of all those who have been inspired by the natural beauty of Putnam Valley. The professional and cultural experience of Art Kibbutz enabled our gifted participants to transform the inspirational environment into work, which contributes to the constantly transforming Jewish sensibility and culture. This experience extends the knowledge and capacity of Art Kibbutz, which enables us to pursue with increasing confidence our goal to be a transformational force in Jewish culture.
Devora Neumark (Montreal) and Deborah Margo (Ottawa) created PRESENT WITH THE WIND during the first session of Art Kibbutz May 1 to 7, 2013. Utilizing organic parchment paper, thread and materials found in the forest, this installation, intentionally temporary is intended to suggest the connections between Heaven and Earth. The locality informs both structure and placement: the contents all come from the surrounding floor and flora. The placement of the ten parchment membranes hanging around the lakeside are moved by the sun and wind from dawn to dawn. Inspired by the work of James Turrell and Sook Jin Jo is intended to encourage contemplation of the connections between heaven and earth in the week before Shavuot.
Ceramic artist Emmett Leader has created a beautiful gateway for the 2.5 acre organic garden that The Jewish Farm School’s intentional community is developing day by day. This gateway consisting of an arch that holds five beautiful friezes and 15 foot poles braided together was dedicated on our Open Studio day on May 12th, when more than eighty people -- friends, journalists, families, came to spend the day, visiting artists' studios, enjoying the beauty of the awakening landscape, appreciating what some of them have helped create with their generous donations, and all getting to know Eden Village. They all got more than a glimpse of "The Jewish Waltz with Planet Earth" residency, which is leaving behind numerous prayer flags made by Carrol Philips.
For the entire time of the retreat Asherah Cinnamon from Maine and Nikki Green from Western Australia have been busy scouring the woodlands of the campgrounds, the hills surrounding the glacial lake collecting the branches, roots and saplings which they have used to construct a twelve foot shin representing the Shma:Listen which has been moved from the studio toward the lakeside. At sunset it was launched and set afloat on the lake. Its vibrations will long remain in this valley, possibly longer than the impact it had on the community that helped launch it and witnessed its movement across the lake.
The water inspired Cynthia Beth Rubin is creating a video portrait based on the micro motives found in the mud of the lake. Israeli composer Kobi Arad’s improvisation explored the Divine Names of Hashem in nature. Kobi created an entirely new musical language based on Kabbalistic numerology that inspired several collaborations. He started recording his new CD at Art Kibbutz and created a groundbreaking collaboration with Ikhlaq Hussein Khan, Pakistani sitar maestro who is on a similar quest from a Sufi perspective. Diversity has been one of the most unique elements of our experience as art created a common ground for open and serious discourse. The residency provided a peaceful environment where faculty leading professors from Canada seriously engaged on a range of topics with an orthodox emerging artist from Latin America in his twenties. The atmosphere was safe enough for participants to be able to engage with artists from different disciplines, often differing from themselves in fundamental was. Yet, collaborations, mentoring relationships, friendships, and even love affairs were formed. Jackie Brookner initiated a joint art project on an environmental theme that will hopefully reach beyond this retreat and provide even more artists with the opportunity to engage in this very important theme.
It is not possible to report on the doings of all the participants, the writers, sculptors, dancers and musicians whose work will bear fruit as the leaves now blossoming fall to the ground. But we know the Art Kibbutz community, Eden Village and the Jewish art world has been enriched by the hands, hearts and minds of all those who have been inspired by the natural beauty of Putnam Valley. The professional and cultural experience of Art Kibbutz enabled our gifted participants to transform the inspirational environment into work, which contributes to the constantly transforming Jewish sensibility and culture. This experience extends the knowledge and capacity of Art Kibbutz, which enables us to pursue with increasing confidence our goal to be a transformational force in Jewish culture.
Art Kibbutz on the front page of The Jewish Week
For Jewish Artists, A Space Of One’s Own
Pilot residency at Art Kibbutz NY hoping to foster connections, find permanent home.
Putnam Valley, N.Y. — On a bright May afternoon on the grounds of an organic farm camp in this Hudson Valley town, a sculptor shaped branches found in the woods into letters of the Hebrew alphabet, while a singer-songwriter played guitar, inspired by the sounds of nature.
A performance artist read Torah in connection with an interpretive dance, and a composer focused on the connection between musical tones and the ripples on the lake.
These are just a sample of the creative responses of the first batch of artists-in-residence at Art Kibbutz NY to the environmental theme, “The Jewish Waltz with Planet Earth.” Read on
Pilot residency at Art Kibbutz NY hoping to foster connections, find permanent home.
Putnam Valley, N.Y. — On a bright May afternoon on the grounds of an organic farm camp in this Hudson Valley town, a sculptor shaped branches found in the woods into letters of the Hebrew alphabet, while a singer-songwriter played guitar, inspired by the sounds of nature.
A performance artist read Torah in connection with an interpretive dance, and a composer focused on the connection between musical tones and the ripples on the lake.
These are just a sample of the creative responses of the first batch of artists-in-residence at Art Kibbutz NY to the environmental theme, “The Jewish Waltz with Planet Earth.” Read on
Art Kibbutz in the Forward
Read a feature of our Residency program in The Forward - click here.
OPEN STUDIOS, WORKSHOPS & PERFORMANCES IN NATURE
Eden Village, Sunday May 12th 11:45-6:00pm - Mothers Day Special
Bring the whole family to the Art Kibbutz Open Studios at Eden Village to see surprising and creative ways Jewish artists are connecting with mother Earth.
• $20 for individual • $72 Group of four – Chai Discount • Kids 4 and under are FREE • Lunch $12
• Pick-up and Drop-off from MNR in Cold Spring: $10
Register now: http://artkibbutzopenstudiosateden.eventbrite.com.
Special Thanks to: Jade Netanya Ullman, Judith Katz, Miriam and Ruth Weiler, Jamie Askin, Isaac and Bonnie Geld,
- Studio visits with Art Kibbutz resident artists
- Jewish art & nature workshops for kids and adults
- Creating Hebrew letters in the landscape with organic materials found in the local environment with Australian artist Nikki Green
- Mother's Day art sale
- Artist talk with Art Kibbutz
- Kobi Arad jazz improvisation exploring the Divine Names of Hashem in Nature
- Boating, hiking and relaxing in 200 acres of woodland and meadow
• $20 for individual • $72 Group of four – Chai Discount • Kids 4 and under are FREE • Lunch $12
• Pick-up and Drop-off from MNR in Cold Spring: $10
Register now: http://artkibbutzopenstudiosateden.eventbrite.com.
Special Thanks to: Jade Netanya Ullman, Judith Katz, Miriam and Ruth Weiler, Jamie Askin, Isaac and Bonnie Geld,
30 residents from 8 countries at our first residency program
We have selected 30 participants from 8 countries, including Jackie Brookner (US), Amy Lipton (US), Kobi Arad (Israel), Tobi Kahn (US), Nikki Green (Australia), Deborah Margo and Devora Newmark (Canada), Cynthia Beth Rubin (US), Asherah Cinnamon (US), Emmett Leader (US), Ikhlaq Hussein Khan (Pakistan), Ronit Muszkatblit (Berlin/Israel), Tirtzah Bassel (Israel), Paul Solomon (US), Professors Marc Michael Epstein (Vassar) and Jonathan Schorsch (Columbia). While our youngest resident is 23, our oldest one is 80, they represent applicants on the broadest religious spectrum. Residents arrived to Art Kibbutz from all ends of the Earth including Australia, Argentina, Israel, Canada and Hungary.
Friends of Art Kibbutz Party
Art Kibbutz's Lag Ba'Omer celebration in Riverdale NY at the Weiler residence explored the themes of Jewish art and nature. More than 40 guests enjoyed a breath-taking performance by the innovative and genre-bending Israeli musician, Kobi Arad. We enjoyed the spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Palisades Park and great food donated by SkyView Wines, Corner Cafe and Shoshi's HaMakolet. Nikki Green from Australia, Noaj Sauer from Argentina and Kobi Arad from Israel gave a testimony about why they are looking forward to participate at Art Kibbutz. Patricia Eszter Margit, Founder of Art Kibbutz and Miriam Weiler, leader of the Friends of Art Kibbutz group spoke about ways to support us.
Res Artis membership granted to Art Kibbutz
Art Kibbutz has now has been accepted as an Emerging Member of Res Artis, a worldwide network of artist residencies.
Alliance of Artist Communities feature
The Alliance featured our upcoming residency program and Patricia Eszter Margit was invited to participate at the Emerging Programs Institute of the the Alliance of Artists Communities, an international network of artists' communities, colonies, and residency programs in May 2013.
Drink'n'Draw with Jewish Jazz at Limmud NY
More than a hundred participants joined Art Kibbutz's Drink'n'Draw at Limmud NY conference on January 15th. The great event featured Hasidic New Wave - led by Rabbi Greg Wall and grammy winning trumpeter Frank London (Klezmatics). Participants arrived with their sketchbooks, created their own art, had a few drinks as they got inspired by the amazing musicians who also served as models. Yona Verwer (Jewish Art Salon) curated a pop-up exhibition from participants' best creations with ROI's support.
Radical Jewish art and community, panel discussion
With Marc Michael Epstein, Eszter Margit, Greg Wall, Yona Verwer
Eszter Margit invited to Limmud Jewish cultural organization’s leaders to discuss how their work creates community, encourages diversity, understanding, action, outstanding artistic expression, collaboration and new ways to connect to Jewish identity through art. Panelists shared their experiences about inspiring, innovative and relevant projects that foster 21st century Jewish culture and creativity and spoke about their artistic collaborations such as Drink'n'Draw.
Eszter Margit invited to Limmud Jewish cultural organization’s leaders to discuss how their work creates community, encourages diversity, understanding, action, outstanding artistic expression, collaboration and new ways to connect to Jewish identity through art. Panelists shared their experiences about inspiring, innovative and relevant projects that foster 21st century Jewish culture and creativity and spoke about their artistic collaborations such as Drink'n'Draw.
Pre-Chanukah Parlor Party
Our pre-Chanukah party was a lovely get-together in Riverdale at Columbia University professor Jonathan Schorsch and his wife Gail's home on December 4th. We launched our pre-Chanukah art sale, listened to experimental jazz poetry performance of Talmudic jazz poet Jake Marmer, tasted wine from Sky View Wine and tons of Mexican donated by Carlos and Gabby's. This was one of our first fund-raising events with a fun silent auction led by Marc Epstein, art history and religion professor at Vassar College - we already sold a few pieces on the spot.
Guests included local artist Mierle Ukeles with friend Helene Aylon, who spoke about her wonderful experiences at Yaddo and McDowell colonies and her collaboration with Meredith Monk that grew out of the time they spent together at a residency. Helene Aylon urged participants to fully support Art Kibbutz in its efforts of creating a similarly outstanding and nurturing community for Jewish artists.
Guests included local artist Mierle Ukeles with friend Helene Aylon, who spoke about her wonderful experiences at Yaddo and McDowell colonies and her collaboration with Meredith Monk that grew out of the time they spent together at a residency. Helene Aylon urged participants to fully support Art Kibbutz in its efforts of creating a similarly outstanding and nurturing community for Jewish artists.
In the past...
Art Kibbutz toured the Armory Show and Volta in New York in 2012.
Eszter Margit participated at the International Jewish Presenter Association's meeting in January, 2012.
On November 30th we enjoyed an informative but informal evening in Queens with NYC's Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee Jimmy Van Bramer, Fractured Atlas and a nice crew of local artists.
Art Kibbutz appeared at the North American Jewish Federation's General Assembly's The Butterfly Effect - Micro-grants for Macro-impact session on Tue, Nov. 8 - then at the NextGen Charity Conference in NYC November 17-18.
Read an article in Jewish Week about the 'Summer of Change' Patricia Eszter Margit's experiences at JPropel, a conference for young, Jewish innovators organized by ROI, Jumpstart, Paideia, JHub & PresenTense.
Art Kibbutz NYC received a micro grant from ROI in 2011 and 2012. Thank you!
Now you can follow us on facebook, twitter and YouTube.
Eszter Margit participated at the International Jewish Presenter Association's meeting in January, 2012.
On November 30th we enjoyed an informative but informal evening in Queens with NYC's Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee Jimmy Van Bramer, Fractured Atlas and a nice crew of local artists.
Art Kibbutz appeared at the North American Jewish Federation's General Assembly's The Butterfly Effect - Micro-grants for Macro-impact session on Tue, Nov. 8 - then at the NextGen Charity Conference in NYC November 17-18.
Read an article in Jewish Week about the 'Summer of Change' Patricia Eszter Margit's experiences at JPropel, a conference for young, Jewish innovators organized by ROI, Jumpstart, Paideia, JHub & PresenTense.
Art Kibbutz NYC received a micro grant from ROI in 2011 and 2012. Thank you!
Now you can follow us on facebook, twitter and YouTube.
Over 45,000 people viewed our Shofar FlashMob
Volunteer
We are looking for an interns and volunteers. Candidates must be organized, motivated, interested in art, Judaism and social media, and ideally good writers. This is an unpaid internship. We are looking for interns who can commit to a regular weekly schedule. Please respond with a cover letter, max. 2 page resume, and at least one professional or academic reference to Eszter at artkibbutzny@gmail.com.
