An Afternoon of Art in the Garden, a benefit for Rimon, will feature works of 10 local Jewish artists on July 18
By SHARON ZWEIGBAUM
“Let there be light.”
God’s mandate in Genesis has entered glassmaker Shoshana Englard’s creative spirit. Inspired as a child by her grandparents’ Bavarian cut crystal, the glass artist’s work evokes its bold colors, liquidity and intricate beveling. The Bronx-born former ophthalmologist currently exhibits an array of her radiant fused, woven and blown-glass objects in a superbly lit showroom at Minneapolis’ Northrup King Building.
This summer, Englard is one of 10 Minnesota Jewish artists invited to showcase their works outdoors at An Afternoon of Art in the Garden, a benefit for Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council and the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest. The unique event will be held July 18 in the captivating private garden of JHSUM Executive Director Katherine Tane and her husband, Jeff.
Tane’s St. Paul gardens feature sweeping views, unusual plants, splendid stonework and lovely curved paths. The art show will be accompanied by wine and Minnesota’s seasonal bounty prepared by local chefs.
Besides Englard, participating artists will include glass artist Peter Zelle, painters Paula Pergament, Leslie Gerstman and David Rich, textile artist Robin Getsug, master woodworker Allan Schultz, ceramicist Suzanna Schlesinger Altman, dollmaker Sandra Self, and photographer Leighton Siegel. All of their work will be for sale and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Rimon and JHSUM.
Art Maven
Englard’s creative work is a fascinating synthesis of science and art. She graduated from medical school in 1978 and studied stained glass design during a year off between her internship and residency. She worked in stained glass until her first child was born.
Englard took an 18-year hiatus from art making after relocating to Minnesota, and while practicing ophthalmology in St. Paul and Buffalo. Then, in 2005, Englard reduced her practice to one day a week and began taking glass-fusing classes, where she felt an “immediate love for the intense sparkle and playful variability” of dichroic glass.
Because of the mineral oxide coating, this material continually changes appearance in relation to the angle of light and the observer’s position. A viewer may find herself moving back and forth or side to side to appreciate its dynamic iridescent effects.
Glassmaker Shoshana Englard works with dichroic glass that, due to its mineral oxide coating, continually changes appearance. (Photo: Shoshana Englard)
“As a chemistry major and an eye surgeon, [I believe that] this chameleon-like glass and the fusing technique I use are the perfect combination of my artistic sensibilities, scientific interests and surgical skills,” Englard said.
In her spacious, high-ceilinged Minneapolis gallery, Englard offers dazzling vases, trays, plates, light fixtures, Judaica and jewelry. They are fabricated by experimental processes that she finds “very visually stimulating.” The artist continues with classes that help spur innovation.
Lately she has been partnering with a glass blower to create breakthrough fused/blown combinations. One tall, ovoid vase features multicolored rows of vertical stripes. The effect results from the “roll-up” technique, where a fused panel is rolled and blown. Other vessels are patterned with geometric, fragmentary or biomorphic shapes in opalescent pastels or gemlike hues.
“I hope to evoke a feeling in people in reaction to color and shape,” Englard said. “If they smile, I aim to recapture that response in future pieces.”
Born into an observant family, Englard feels particularly spiritual and close to God in a very Jewish way when she is in her studio.
“That is the space where I communicate with my creative angels,” she said.
Englard exhibits her work nationwide, and has received awards at the Minnesota State Fair, Excelsior’s Art on the Lake and the Dichroic by Design international contest.
She looks forward to placing her glass objects in relationship to the garden plantings, explaining that the “vibrant dichroic glass in some examples represents the ever-shifting character of our lives and reflects the natural world. My works present themselves anew as the light varies throughout the day and night.”
Englard said that her blown pieces are very organic and should play off well against flowers and shrubs.
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An Afternoon of Art in the Garden, a benefit for Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council and the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, will take place 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 18 at the home of Katherine and Jeff Tane, 1778 Colvin Ave., St. Paul. Tickets are $72; contact Rimon Executive Director David Jordan Harris at 952-381-3449 or: rimon@sabesjcc.org.
For information, visit: www.RimonMN.org or: www.jhsum.org.
The American Jewish World presents the Art Maven column by Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council, an initiative of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.
