December 06, 2010

Jewish Care Vision To Shine at Jewish Museum

This week’s official opening of Jewish Care’s annual Sandra Bardas Memorial Exhibition at the Jewish Museum of Australia highlights the importance of Jewish belonging and inclusion for all members of our diverse community.

To be launched by Dr John Serry, artworks under the theme of ‘Visions’ will be displayed at the Jewish Museum from 12 December 2010 to 9 January 2011. The exhibition is the culmination of effort over the past year by Jewish Care’s Creative Arts Studio program participants.

Art therapist and facilitator, Dalit Bar, said the art therapy program provided a healing process that used creativity to help people express deeply personal thoughts and feelings, in a safe and supportive environment.

“Art is another way to communicate when words seem difficult,” Ms Bar said. “The Jewish Care program offers a creative way to access inner wisdom and strength to overcome stress in our lives. It supports people by giving them a place to express their artistic sides without being judged, a place to share their thoughts and concerns and to feel heard and belong.”

Jewish Care CEO Bill Appleby said the program encouraged participants to become more socially active and productive, and create purpose and meaning. He said shared cultural identity created a strong bond, a sense of ‘family connection’, between participants, and featured in many of the artworks.

“Despite coming from diverse backgrounds, the group has a special bond to each other and their art through their Jewish heritage – with many participants using Jewish images and symbols, such as chai’s, chamsa’s, Rabbi’s and synagogues.”

‘Visions’, an exhibition of artworks by Jewish Care’s Creative Arts Studio – featuring artworks by Gila Kozma, Robert Bardas, Sharin Hart and others – is on display in the Gross Gallery, Jewish Museum of Australia, Gandel Centre of Judaica, 26 Alma Road St Kilda, Victoria.