The Yom Hashoah Community Arts Project
Textiles & Sculpture
Mourner’s Kaddish
by Caren Ann Appel and Erin Shapiro DiManno
A note from the artists: This is a rendition of the American flag reconfigured with Holocaust symbolism: yellow Stars of David and stripes the same colors as in concentration camp uniforms.
It is a warning against the rise of fascism disguised as revolution currently plaguing our universities. It is also an expression of grief: we all once believed we were completely safe in our country. That belief is gone.
All that said, we stand united against hate and we stand for healing this nation - and the world - together.
This piece is dedicated to the Jewish college students and to our hostages. We are with you always.
About the artists: Lifelong friends who first met at the Jewish Community Center in New Orleans, Caren Ann Appel and Erin Shapiro DiManno came together to collaborate on this fabric art piece, to share their heartbreak over the alarming rise of antisemitism here in the US.
Caren Ann Appel is known as bestselling author, Harper Kincaid, is also a mixed media artist, and a clinical psychotherapist. Erin DiManno is a human resource executive and award-winning quilt artist. Both live in Northern Virginia with their families.
Untitled
A note from the artist: My inspiration is the quote provided from Anne Frank. Earthenware clay, glaze and acrylic paint.
About the artist: Nancy Jacobson is a ceramic artist who creates both functional and non-functional pottery.
by Nancy Jacobson
Diaspora
A note from the artist: " Diaspora" is an installation piece delving into the poignant narrative of Jewish immigration to the United States during the turn of the 20th century. Reflecting on the theme of migration, this piece encapsulates symbolism within its elements.
Central to the installation are Yiddish books, showcasing stories by Sholom Aleichem, whose narratives inspired the iconic "Fiddler on the Roof." These books, a testament to the linguistic and cultural heritage of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, echo the importance of education in Jewish tradition.
Painted upon the spines of these books are Aspen trees, representing interconnectedness—like the vast root systems of these astounding trees. In Judaism, trees hold symbolic significance, often synonymous with the Torah, the Jewish written law.
Decorating the lid of the trunk are photographs of courageous immigrants, including my own family members, who embarked on the arduous journey to a new land. Branches and yellow leaves symbolize hope and the enduring connections between individuals, akin to the branching out that occurs with each migration.
The trunk and suitcases serve as poignant symbols of the difficult voyage undertaken in pursuit of a better life for oneself and future generations upon reaching the shores of the United States.
About the artist: Virginia based abstract landscape painter, Lynn Goldstein enjoys telling people that one of her first jobs was working at Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus. She was employed as a graphic designer for seventeen years, but painting was never far from her mind. Since leaving graphic design work behind, Goldstein has exhibited widely, winning awards, in nationally juried exhibitions and galleries. Her work is enjoyed in private and public collections throughout the United States and Europe. Notably, one of her paintings was selected for the permanent collection in the Jean-Haffen Museum in Dinan, France, upon her completion of an artist residency there. Lynn was one of fifteen American artists selected to participate in the Caravan multi-cultural and international art project which took place at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC. Her installation work exploring her Jewish roots was selected for exhibition at the Smithsonian S Dillon Ripley Center in Washington, D.C. Lynn is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America. Lynn is also a juried member of the prestigious Washington Society of Landscape Painters. She is also a juried member of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and a juried resident artist at the Workhouse Arts Center where she has her studio.
by Lynn Goldstein
Oh, The Horrors I have Seen
A note from the artist: This was my tribute to The Holocaust and 911. It is a face horrified by what it has witnessed. My poem compliments my sculpture:
Oh, The Horrors I have Seen
I watch in horror
As billows of grey smoke fill the sky
Bodies tumbling from Tower Windows
To the ground below
Ashes rising from the Oven’s Inferno
Annihilating a breed
Oh, the horrors I have seen.
About the artist: Marcia Nacht focuses on sculpture and poetry, known for her one-woman shows, participation in group exhibitions, and inclusion in private collections.
by Marcia Nacht
STRIPES
A note from the artist: "Stripes" is a metaphor for the prisoners’ striped uniforms worn in the concentration camps. The collection aims to capitalize on the popularity of animal-skin patterns that can be adapted into home decor by producing unique leather wall art with a timeless appeal. Bold animal prints anchor standout pieces, which are complemented with circular metallic studs. Made from premium Italian leathers that are sourced ethically and Italian-made hardware. The studs' hardware has a mirror reflection, high sheen, and perfect polish, all reminiscent of Jeff Koons. Long leather fringes are a distinguishing feature.
About the artist: Lisa Karachinsky is a designer with over 20 years of expertise in the fashion industry. Karachinsky has designed collections for retail and wholesale private label businesses, specializing in leather accessories, while residing and working in New York, Toronto, and Montreal. Collaborating closely with celebrities to launch Nicole Richie's House of Harlow Handbags and Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker. Her designs have been featured in multiple fashion editorials and have sold in high-end and luxury stores in the US and Canada, including Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and Bergdorf Goodman.