Art Exhibit Opening: What Nature Offers
Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 pm
Calling all visual arts lovers! Join us in the Lower Level Gallery at Holy Blossom Temple for the opening of “What Nature Offers”, featuring works by artist Joan Haberman. Learn more about Joan Haberman here.
Exhibit curated by: Elizabeth Greisman
This exhibit is sponsored by the Yosef Wosk Family Foundation in loving memory of Essie Arnold, a longtime member and volunteer of Holy Blossom Temple.
From the Artist, Joan Haberman:
What Nature Offers, is the next step in my re-emergence as a painter after a 34-year hiatus.
The work in the show has all been produced since 2017, most of it, during the last three years, while Covid restricted our movements for lengthy periods of time. For those with home studios, it was a time of contemplation and work. For those lucky enough to have had access to a garden, lake or woods, it was also a time of inspiration.
I’ve always been drawn to nature and I’ve used these last few years to try to better understand it in order to develop a visual language with which to share how being in affects me. My objective is to enable those with limited access to nature to, at least, get a better sense of what it has to offer when they view my work.
Each piece is layered, detailed and complex, much as nature is, and taking the time to really observe a piece that interests you will hopefully allow you to feel as I did when I came upon these wonderful visions. So, take a deep breath, still your mind and visit the lakes, woods and gardens that I have been fortunate to encounter.
From the Curator, Elizabeth Greisman:
I started to be a volunteer curator at the Lower Space Gallery, at Holy Blossom Temple, in August 2022. I had a vision of how I could celebrate the talents of contemporary Jewish Artists, and how I could bring their beautiful artwork to the newly built space outside of the Philip Smith Hall. I always want to share what is beautiful and exciting with the congregation.
I am curating each show to the Living Wall in the main space.
My previous experience of curation was in the creation of five exhibitions for Nuit Blanche on the grounds of Spadina Museum, and also when I created exhibitions for the JCC’s of Toronto.
Elizabeth Greisman- Artwork 2022 and 2023
I have painted a series of Character portraits from the plays directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie at the Stratford Festival in Canada, in it’s formative years.
Sir Tyrone Guthrie was the first Director of the Stratford Festival in Canada from 1952- 1957. Guthrie originated from Ireland.
I have been a recipient of numerous Artistic Residencies at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Ireland highlighted by an exhibition of my work at the Canadian Embassy in Dublin.
I am currently showcasing some of these portraits at the American Shakespeare Theatre in Stanton, Virginia, USA, during the 2023 Season.
In March 2023, I participated in an Artistic Residence with the Gachi Prieto Gallery in Buenos Aires, Argentina, ( PAC), where I was sketching the Ballet at the Teatro Colon. I also participated in several exhibitions there, all supported by the Canadian Embassy.
I also piloted a project for International Women’s Day, called the Matrilineal Project, and am ready to do this with our congregation, after a very successful initial workshop.
Colour, form, texture, brilliant light and stark shade delineate much of my work.
The exhibit will run from April 24 – October 14, 2023
