The Gallery: Mixed Media & Digital Art
UNTITLED, Mx. Enigma
A note from the artist: Whenever I feel lost, confused, or needing hope, I turn to my elders, to listen to their pearls of wisdom. I’ve spent the last two semesters, volunteering in my neighborhood at a senior center with Carter Burden Network. The women I’ve met their, are lively, lovely, and phenomenal creatives in their own rite, that it motivates me to get out more and create and depart from my depression. I created a series of “Elevate Me” of elements in my life that has boosted my confidence, pride, and bring my heritage to every room I walk.
About the artist: Mx.Enigma is a Queer-Mizrahi mixed media artist in NYC. They graduated from Brooklyn College in 2017 with a B.A in Media/Gender Studies. In 2022, they began pursuing their M.A in Applied Theatre at CUNY SPS. Their work focuses on the intersections of queerness, American culture & interpersonal relationships. Their artwork has been featured worldwide, over 40 galleries in NY including: MOMA, Bronx Museum, Tribeca Film Festival, Bezalel Academy, UChicago and Kunsthal Charlottenborg. They held residencies at Brandies Collegiate Institute at AJU for dance in Summer 2017, Fall 2019 playwriting at Judson Memorial Church, Makerspace NYC for sculpture 2020-22, Fountain House Gallery for fiber arts in 2022-23 and Governors Island in Summer 2023, for interactive design. During 2019-2020 they worked with NYPL on a play production of “L’Chaim 2 Dykes” on Queer Ex-Hasidic Women who are struggling with their custody battles. They have held fellowships at BAVC Media, Reelworks, Groundswell, The Center, Pen America & National Queer Theatre.
TREE OF LIFE, Margarita Gokun Silver
A note from the artist: The piece is called Tree of Life and it was inspired by the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea.
I painted this during the pandemic when we were all stuck in our houses, wondering what's next. For me an olive tree has always been a symbol of hope, peace, and the Mediterranean and because this is painted on recycled wood, the piece also stands for renewal.
About the artist: Margarita Gokun Silver is an artist and a writer living in Madrid, Spain. She's written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, BBC, and the Smithsonian, among others. Her paintings have been exhibited in the US and Spain. You can follow her via her Substack, Mastery and Margarita (https://margaritagokunsilver.substack.com/)
IN THE EYE OF THE STORM, Etty Hasak
A note from the artist: As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, I felt I couldn’t sit by the sidelines after October 7th. A lot of my activity concentrated, and still continues, to revolve around the fight to return all our hostages back home. During that activity many of us encountered acts of antisemitism. My art is meant to bring awareness to the trauma of October 7th and its aftermath that we still experience.
About the artist: Etty Hasak is a passionate mosaic artist based in the vibrant city of Chicago. Born and raised in Israel, Etty’s love for art began at an early age, inspired by the diverse cultures and rich history of her surroundings. After completing her studies in Arts in the College of “Beit Berl” in Israel, she ran an art gallery and than worked as a picture framer, all while building her studio practice. Etty embarked on a journey to explore the world of clay art. That journey lead her to mosaic art. As she deepened her education in mosaic, clay and mosaic intertwined. Etty’s works rely on tradition while bringing unique modern expression to her pieces. Etty’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and galleries locally in Chicago, nationally and internationally. Whether creating large-scale installations for public/ private spaces or intimate art pieces, Etty’s dedication to her art shines through in every mosaic piece she creates. Etty is a core faculty member of the Chicago Mosaic School, where she teaches various workshops and classes to share her knowledge and love for mosaic and clay art with others.
WITNESS, Karen Ami
A note from the artist: Witness was created during my art residency in Berlin- a confrontation with the history of antisemitism and post-generational trauma that has damaged my family. It is a mosaic made of German clay- dug from the ground not far from Dachau. My works are defiant acts that examine brokenness and damage in order to find compassion and tolerance.
As a second generation artist, my art research is driven to repair the familial fragments shattered by hate.
About the artist: Karen Ami is a Chicago-based interdisciplinary artist focusing on mosaic and ceramic arts. She is currently completing her practice research PhD in Creative Studies at TransArt Institute and Liverpool John Moores University. Her innovative research explores mosaic as a multidisciplinary art process, examining the art form through themes of brokenness, chaos, and repair. She earned her MFA in 1995 from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and she also holds a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma from Tufts University (BFA, 1986). Ami is the founder of The Chicago Mosaic School, the first and only not-for-profit school dedicated to mosaic arts education outside of Europe. She teaches and lectures internationally, serving as a curator and consultant for contemporary mosaic exhibitions. Her recent exhibitions in Liverpool, Berlin, and Chicago were recognized as an innovation within the field of mosaic arts. Her sculptures, mosaics, and installations are in public and private collections worldwide.
UNTITLED, Danielle Baron Atkins
A note from the artist: After October 7th, 2023, I was not sure how to keep making art. Everything had changed. I was not the same person I was on October 6th. I decided that I would make my female forms from Israeli products in honor of my Israeli heritage. I traveled to Israel to see my family, volunteer, and collect everything I could get my hands on. I dug through recycling in the back of the German Colony, went to grocery stores, and asked for fruit boxes and kept all of the wrappers from everything we used – granola bars, soda tops, maps, napkins, salt, pepper and sugar packets. Anything that had Hebrew writing I stored in my backpack. I am in the process of creating female forms from these Israeli objects.
About the artist: Danielle Baron Atkins is an American Israeli painter and sculptor working in Brooklyn and Woodstock, NY. Her work examines the female form as well as the many roles of women in our contemporary society. She abstracts, dissects, and exaggerates the female form utilizing discarded items from her household and most recently Israeli made products. The women she depicts sit and stand in suggestive poses, often wearing stilettos. These anonymous figures exude sexuality, fertility, and motherhood. She utilizes a juxtaposition of delicate, stereotypically “feminine” colors with repetitive, aggressive, graffiti-like markings. Danielle repurposes remnants of her children’s discarded belongings such as broken headphones (used during school lockdowns), worn out crocks and skateboarding sneakers, underwear bands that have lost their elasticity, socks and mittens that have abandoned their partner, candy wrappers, torn vintage comic books found under her children’s beds, old cookbooks, pill bottle tops, cardboard packages, and junk mail to accentuate her underlying themes. Motherhood has deeply affected her art making process. Danielle’s sharp observations of the roles and struggles of women create an ever-evolving definition of womanhood.
UNTITLED, Rachelle Gage
A note from the artist: Israel, where the desert blooms. What better representation for the renewal of spirit and the renewal of hope? It’s a metaphor for the Jewish people, despite all odds and when our enemies have tried to exterminate us, we not only survived- we thrived. We grew. Our family, our land, and our commitment. We rose from the ashes, this time stronger. Like these flowers, the resilience of the Jewish people is beautiful and awe inspiring.
About the artist: Rachelle Gage is a graphic designer based in New York. On the side, she creates pattern designs by mixing traditional and digital art mediums. She’s also written/illustrated 3 children’s books. As a proud Jew and granddaughter of an Auschwitz survivor, she was impacted firsthand by the rise of antisemitism in the silencing of Jewish voices. This led to her most recent published book We’re Not OK: Jewish & Ally Experiences Post 10/7, a collaborative work of Jewish and ally voices paired with illustrations.
UNTITLED, Lois Perch Villemaire
A note from the artist: Recently I began doing collage and decided to include words from poems I have written.
About the artist: Lois Perch Villemaire of Annapolis, MD is the author of My Eight Greats, a family history in poetry and prose and Eyes at the Edge of the Woods (Bottlecap Press). She is a contributing writer to AARP The Ethel. Lois, a Pushcart nominee, enjoys researching genealogy and propagating African violets.
ACHDUT - WE ARE ONE, Annette Back
Note from the artist: The beautiful flickering of a flame on a candle captures the idea of one “Echad” coming together as a group in unity and solidarity “Achdut”. While each flame represents one of us through a unique blend of vibrant colors and abstract patterns, the grid of colorful, flame-shaped elements (which can also be interpreted as a teardrop) create a rainbow-like tapestry of hues, expressing connectivity and unity. We are one through grief, sadness but also through strength, rebirth and hope. Am Israel Chai.
About The Artist: Visual expression has always been Annette’s way of communicating, her childhood temperament was painfully shy and she was careful to speak up. She credits this mindset with honing her observation skills and looking at many layers of a situation. When creating art, expression is thoughtful and meaningful.
She paints narratives that resonate with emotions, often interpreting nature, shapes, and figures. Her process involves transferring photos and text onto canvas, followed by layering transparent and opaque colors, lines, textures, patterns, and shades. She boldly embrace a conceptual, multi-layered, and colorful approach, fostering a visual dialogue with viewers to forge meaningful connections.
AM YISRAEL LEV, Annette Back
Note from the artist: This s a beautiful expression of love and connection for the Jewish people and Israel. The heart and Star of David come together in a way that is meaningful and uplifting. The vibrant colors swirling through the design feel alive, as if they’re celebrating the diversity and spirit of the Jewish community. It’s the kind of image that makes you pause and feel something deeper—a sense of pride, unity, and joy.
About The Artist: Visual expression has always been Annette’s way of communicating, her childhood temperament was painfully shy and she was careful to speak up. She credits this mindset with honing her observation skills and looking at many layers of a situation. When creating art, expression is thoughtful and meaningful.
She paints narratives that resonate with emotions, often interpreting nature, shapes, and figures. Her process involves transferring photos and text onto canvas, followed by layering transparent and opaque colors, lines, textures, patterns, and shades. She boldly embrace a conceptual, multi-layered, and colorful approach, fostering a visual dialogue with viewers to forge meaningful connections.
CHAZAK / STRONG, Annette Back
Note from the artist: This painting is inspired by the ceiling of my childhood synagogue in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as the long standing tradition of luminous stained glass work. Out of a pattern of triangles, the Star of David emerges. The Hebrew words used, represent meanings and names associated with the Magen David (Star of David). Magen means shield.
About The Artist: Visual expression has always been Annette’s way of communicating, her childhood temperament was painfully shy and she was careful to speak up. She credits this mindset with honing her observation skills and looking at many layers of a situation. When creating art, expression is thoughtful and meaningful.
She paints narratives that resonate with emotions, often interpreting nature, shapes, and figures. Her process involves transferring photos and text onto canvas, followed by layering transparent and opaque colors, lines, textures, patterns, and shades. She boldly embrace a conceptual, multi-layered, and colorful approach, fostering a visual dialogue with viewers to forge meaningful connections.
AHAVA, Annette Back
Note from the artist: This painting is a celebration of love and I specifically painted it to escape the hate in early 2024. Each letter is filled with intricate patterns, swirling shapes, and hearts of all sizes, as if every stroke is telling its own story. The deep blues and greens give it a calming, grounding feel, while the pops of pink, red, and gold add warmth and energy. The word "Ahava" feels like it’s glowing, radiating love and connection, a reminder of the beauty and depth of love, both personal and universal.
About The Artist: Visual expression has always been Annette’s way of communicating, her childhood temperament was painfully shy and she was careful to speak up. She credits this mindset with honing her observation skills and looking at many layers of a situation. When creating art, expression is thoughtful and meaningful.
She paints narratives that resonate with emotions, often interpreting nature, shapes, and figures. Her process involves transferring photos and text onto canvas, followed by layering transparent and opaque colors, lines, textures, patterns, and shades. She boldly embrace a conceptual, multi-layered, and colorful approach, fostering a visual dialogue with viewers to forge meaningful connections.
LUMINOUS JERUSALEM, Annette Back
Note from the artist: This painting is a joyful, colorful tribute to Jerusalem. The domes, arches, and rooftops are painted in bright pinks, blues, greens, and yellows, giving the city a magical, almost storybook feel. Hebrew text is subtly woven into the buildings, adding a sense of history and spirituality. With its playful details and vibrant energy, it is a love letter to the beauty and spirit of Jerusalem.
About The Artist: Visual expression has always been Annette’s way of communicating, her childhood temperament was painfully shy and she was careful to speak up. She credits this mindset with honing her observation skills and looking at many layers of a situation. When creating art, expression is thoughtful and meaningful.
She paints narratives that resonate with emotions, often interpreting nature, shapes, and figures. Her process involves transferring photos and text onto canvas, followed by layering transparent and opaque colors, lines, textures, patterns, and shades. She boldly embrace a conceptual, multi-layered, and colorful approach, fostering a visual dialogue with viewers to forge meaningful connections.
GOLDA, Annette Back
Note from the artist: This striking portrait of Golda Meir captures her strength and wisdom with incredible depth. Her face, painted in grayscale, is full of character, reflecting her role as a leader and a trailblazer. The vibrant red background is filled with her powerful quotes, adding layers of meaning and context to the piece. The contrast between the monochrome portrait and the bold red background makes her presence even more commanding. It’s a tribute not just to her image, but to her words and the legacy she left behind.
About The Artist: Visual expression has always been Annette’s way of communicating, her childhood temperament was painfully shy and she was careful to speak up. She credits this mindset with honing her observation skills and looking at many layers of a situation. When creating art, expression is thoughtful and meaningful.
She paints narratives that resonate with emotions, often interpreting nature, shapes, and figures. Her process involves transferring photos and text onto canvas, followed by layering transparent and opaque colors, lines, textures, patterns, and shades. She boldly embrace a conceptual, multi-layered, and colorful approach, fostering a visual dialogue with viewers to forge meaningful connections.
DA’AT: WHEN SOME DOORS CLOSE, OTHERS OPEN, Mike Wirth
A note from the artist: Inspired by reading Aryeh Kaplan's writings about the elevation of the soul to atzilut.
About the artist: Mike Wirth, MFA, is a Charlotte-based visual artist, digital experience designer, muralist, and educator blending storytelling, technology, and social impact. A leader in Jewish Futurism, he reimagines Jewish culture through speculative design. Wirth has created over 55 public artworks, exhibited in 6 countries, and collaborated with Fortune 100 clients. As Associate Professor at Queens University, he founded its graphic design major and mentors emerging artists. His work spans public art, digital media, and community engagement, exploring cultural identity and social justice.
NURSE LOG 1, 2024, Jess Levey
A note from the artist: My multimedia projects explore themes of transformation, renewal, and identity through the lens of nature and the aging body. Using symbols such as nurse logs and water, I reflect on the cycles of decay and regeneration, particularly in relation to the female experience. Nurse logs—fallen trees that nourish new life—serve as a metaphor for resilience, while water symbolizes purification and transition. These elements frame my exploration of midlife aging, and the interplay between the body and the environment, emphasizing emergence rather than decline.
About the artist: Jess Levey is a New York City based, multimedia artist who works in photography, assemblage, video installation, and sound. Her work has been exhibited at various art spaces in and around NYC including Exit Art, The Invisible Dog, NurtureArt, MoCADA, and The Rochester Contemporary. Her work has also been selected for exhibitions at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago and Spilt Milk Gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her films have been selected for festivals such as the NY Short Film Festival, The NY Pause Film Festival, The Queens World Film Festival and the Paris Short Film Festival. Jess's work was also selected for Tomorrow’s Stars: The Art Brooklyn Open Call Exhibition at the Verge Art Fair.
BRING THEM HOME, Etty Hasak
A note from the artist: As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, I felt I couldn’t sit by the sidelines after October 7th. A lot of my activity concentrated, and still continues, to revolve around the fight to return all our hostages back home. During that activity many of us encountered acts of antisemitism. My art is meant to bring awareness to the trauma of October 7th and its aftermath that we still experience.
About the artist: Etty Hasak is a passionate mosaic artist based in the vibrant city of Chicago. Born and raised in Israel, Etty’s love for art began at an early age, inspired by the diverse cultures and rich history of her surroundings. After completing her studies in Arts in the College of “Beit Berl” in Israel, she ran an art gallery and than worked as a picture framer, all while building her studio practice. Etty embarked on a journey to explore the world of clay art. That journey lead her to mosaic art. As she deepened her education in mosaic, clay and mosaic intertwined. Etty’s works rely on tradition while bringing unique modern expression to her pieces. Etty’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and galleries locally in Chicago, nationally and internationally. Whether creating large-scale installations for public/ private spaces or intimate art pieces, Etty’s dedication to her art shines through in every mosaic piece she creates. Etty is a core faculty member of the Chicago Mosaic School, where she teaches various workshops and classes to share her knowledge and love for mosaic and clay art with others.
UNTITLED, Alexander Limarev
A note from the artist: Just recently, my American colleagues offered me several commemorations to design a sheet of stamps. I chose Holocaust Remembrance Day. I invite you to consider my work, as a reflection of the resilience of the Jewish people and the trials they endured, for your competition and future exhibition.
About the artist: Alexander Limarev, multidisciplinary artist, mail art artist, poet, visual poet, curator and coordinator from Siberia/Russia. Participated in more than 1000 international projects and exhibitions. His artworks are part of private and museum collections of 74 countries. His artworks as well as poetry have been featured in various online and print publications including BUKOWSKI ERASURE POETRY ANTHOLOGY (Silver Birch Press), SUPERPRESENT: A MAGAZINE OF THE ARTS, FLORA FICTION LITERARY MAGAZINE, ANTI-HEROIN CHIC, NEW FEATHERS ANTHOLOGY, TUCK MAGAZINE, Avant Appal[achia], UNLOST: journal of found poetry & art, MAINTENANT etc.
