Curator Ariel Penzer is showcasing the work of Jewish artists in a vibrant exhibition titled “Rising from the Flames.” Opening last week at the David Posnack JCC, the show features original works created in Israel and across the diaspora by more than twenty artists (many of whom have faced antisemitism and blacklisting since October 7th). As detailed in the show’s description, “This powerful exhibition documents their experiences while celebrating identity, community and artistic perseverance.”

As the Founder of Art World for Israel, curator Ariel Penzer is no stranger to antisemitism in the art community. “Art World for Israel was created after October 7th as a response to the rampant antisemitism in the art world,” she says. “Many of the artists that are part of my show have been victims of blacklisting, antisemitism, discrimination, and all kinds of insane hatred. We’ve been doing our best to push back against the antisemitism in the art world.”

In fact, a number of “Rising from the Flames” artists experienced Ariel’s advocacy during Miami Art Week last December, when their exhibition featuring Jewish and Israeli artists was cancelled last minute by Satellite Art Show. Ariel helped them relocate to Aqua Art Miami, where they had a beautiful and well-attended exhibit (including visits from Brooke Goldstein, Ari Ackerman, and Daniel-Ryan Spaulding). Ariel adds, “We were able to get them a new booth at a better fair and fundraise for the new booth, because they still have not received their money back from the booth that cancelled them.”

Discussing the development of “Rising from the Flames,” Ariel marveled at how quickly the show came together. “People were really excited to be part of it and to support Art World for Israel because they know the impact we’ve had the last two and a half years—they’ve seen it firsthand.” Featured artist Allison Eden (who traveled to Florida for the opening) explains, “I’m a Jewish artist in New York City and we’ve had a lot of changes with antisemitism literally running rampant. When Ariel put this out there I thought this was such an important thing to put together. We really need to fight back, we need to support each other in all ways. We need to really show the world that we’re all one, we’re all people. So I was very happy to come and exhibit in her show.”

Scanning the beautiful pieces in the room, the nostalgic quality of Jacqueline Kott-Wolle’s work immediately resonates. “I paint from a place of joy,” Jacqueline explains. “If I surrender to their negativity, then the people who hate us win—and I refuse to give them that power. I choose instead to reflect our community’s stories and experiences through a lens of happiness and to honor what I see as our golden years of being Jewish. Through my work, I want to remind our beautiful Jewish community who we are at our core—resilient, vibrant and alive. We dress in color, we dance at our simchas and we embrace the fullness of a good life. And to me, that is the ultimate act of defiance: to live well, and to live fully. Our story deserves to be told in all its richness and color—and that’s why I paint as I do.”

Jacqueline was eager to sing the praises of the show’s curator. “Ariel Penzer is a force,” she says, “she’s like a superhero for Jewish artists. I marvel at her grace, her intelligence, her style. She’s fierce. As an artist, you need someone to go up to bat for you, and she does it for so many artists—and she remembers each one and makes each one feel special and important and valued. I cannot believe she exists, she’s really amazing.”

Ariel didn’t just curate the exhibition—she contributed a piece of her own. The description reads: “This collage highlights the relentless antisemitism in the art world that has fueled the need for this show. Here you will find blacklists, cancellations and harassment faced by Jewish artists and cultural workers, many of whom are participating in this art show. The hope was to scare Jews out of these cultural realms. Art World for Israel has created a safe space for these individuals to push back against the hate and come together with pride in our community.”

Ariel reiterates, “The most important part is for artists to be able to continue to tell our Jewish narratives and our Jewish stories, and push back against the hate so that our narratives and stories are not lost.”

What a pleasure to be in a room so full of resilience, creativity, and pride. This exhibition is not to be missed.

“Rising from the Flames” is on display through May 24, with a panel discussion on antisemitism in the arts May 14. Visit the David Posnack Jewish Community Center website for more information.

The exhibition catalogue can be viewed here with artwork available for purchase. Featured artists: Avraham Vofsi, Alejandro Glatt, Allison Eden, Amy Gelb, Anne Trauben, Annette Back, Dahlia Dreszer, Daniel Allen Cohen, Denise Treizman, Efrat Baler, Hodaya Louis, Ian Menachem Cohen, Jacqueline Kott-Wolle, JEWISHJOY.co, Lilian Kebudi, Mike Wirth, Monica Czukerberg, Rachel Rose, Sam Griffin, Sara Schraeter, Shirah Klein, Tirza, and Ubab.

Keep up with Ariel Penzer & Art World for Israel, and support Jewish artists!

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)