An event on Oct. 13 will feature more than 100 pieces of original Cuban art
By MICHAEL A. APPLEMAN, Ph.D.
The Appleman family was poor, but rich in Hebrew, religious and spiritual education — thanks to the Talmud Torah of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and the Jewish community.
More than 50 years ago, my mother, Gertrude Appleman, was single and raising four children, and she could not afford a Jewish education at the Talmud Torah. But the Jewish community stepped up to the plate and we were able to study Hebrew at the original building on Queen Avenue in North Minneapolis — and it did not cost our family one single shekel.
The Applemans benefitted immensely, so it is time now to throw a benefit. It is time to give back.
Cubano Gallery is personally inviting you to the second major exhibit and auction of Cuban art in the Midwest in a decade (the first was at Beth El Synagogue in 2011). More than 100 pieces of new original Cuban art — including 15 works of José Fuster, known as the Picasso of Cuba — will be exhibited and sold on Oct. 13.
In 2009, 20 members from Beth El, led by Rabbi Alexander Davis, were part of a humanitarian mission to Cuba to support the Jewish communities in Havana, Santa Clara and Cienfuegos. During the mission, the members became acquainted with the paintings, ceramics and watercolors of Fuster, who has exhibited in England, France, Spain, Ireland, Brazil and the United States.
Inspired by that mission six years ago and the plethora of inexpensive but spectacular Cuban art, I was granted the coveted license from the U.S. Treasury Department to legally export art from Cuba to found Cubano Gallery.
To assure and guarantee fresh and vibrant pieces, I recently traveled to Havana to obtain new, dramatic and exciting paintings, as well as mosaics that have never been seen in the Twin Cities.
This event is for art lovers and collectors. Pieces will be priced from $50 to $5,000. Everyone walks away with an original piece of art.
Each VIP will receive a petite, original Cuban piece of art; a small, delicious package of Cuban coffee; and mojitos and Cuban hors d’oeuvres. The cost for VIPs is $118.
Art patrons will receive mojitos and Cuban hors d’oeuvres for $18.
Current Talmud Torah parents and teachers can enjoy complimentary admission.
The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Cubano Gallery, 5101 Olson Memorial Hwy., Golden Valley; for information, visit: cubanogallery.com. To make a reservation by Oct. 6, email: cubanartexhibit@yahoo.com.
***
Michael and Michelle Appleman are the parents of Alaina, Joshua and Danielle — all of whom attended Jewish day schools. Michael and his sisters, Carolyn and Sarahalee, all were Bet Hamidrash graduates of the Talmud Torah in North Minneapolis.
(American Jewish World, 9.25.15)
