Temple Sinai Art Fair Showcases Local Talent

Temple Sinai’s social hall served as the canvas for 45 artists on hand to show their work for two days beginning the evening of Dec 6, and extending to Sunday until 3 p.m.

Artist Judie Jacobs, who sits on Sinai’s Fine Arts Committee, related, “Our committee at Temple Sinai sponsors this annual art show. It takes a large number of volunteers to bring the event to life. Our goal is to bring quality fine art and craft work to Temple Sinai and the surrounding community each year by offering unique shopping for family and friends. Many of the artisans are members of Temple Sinai. The art included paintings, ceramics, jewelry, glass, wood, and fiber arts.”

Formally named “Spotlight on Talent,” the show had hundreds of guests perusing through the rows and circular layout of two large temple rooms, beginning Saturday evening with a wine and cheese reception that encouraged socializing while browsing the artists’ offerings.

Jacobs, who also had her own booth alongside her 8-year-old granddaughter, offered a range of gift items like note cards, small paintings, ceramics, jewelry and larger paintings for the home. There was no charge to attend the event. Artists donated 30 to 40 percent of their sales to Temple Sinai of which a portion was earmarked for the Sandy Springs Community Action Center. Also unique to this year, a consignment gallery offered a group display station for those artists not manning a booth.

Third-time participant Susan Wasserman Chase was quickly selling her mahjong menorahs. She said, “I was blown away by how many of my pieces found new homes. I absolutely love being part of this community and showcasing my artwork alongside so many of my congregants. It is especially meaningful knowing that a portion of the proceeds support the synagogue.”

Chase works primarily in high-fire stoneware clay. She creates pieces that vary in size and complexity and explores different designs. She has a full home studio where she does most of the design and firing. Her work has been shown in the Chastain Art Gallery and the Spruill Gallery, and most recently, her Zebra Menorah was at Fragile. Why mah jong menorahs? She further explained, “I love the game, especially playing with my daughter, friends, and now my granddaughters. Bringing the mah jong tiles into a menorah design was incredibly fun and timely; and the pieces came together beautifully with so many creative possibilities.”

Renee Karchmer, also a third-time participant, commented, “This is a wonderful show, very well put together. I was pleased with the number of pieces that I sold.”

Karchmer’s process involves fusing and slumping glass which results in mostly abstract pieces with prices range from $10 to $100. The pieces are mostly utilitarian with some for display. She related, “The varied colors of glass speak to me and inspire my designs.”

Debra Cohen, second-time participant, brought 42 wood menorahs and sold 12. She said, “The tricky part of creating these is finding woods that will sit stably so we can add fruit, candles and the like. And the wood’s natural flaws add to the uniqueness.”

Emerging artist Cheryl Henos is a self-taught photographer and painter who combines hand-painting with black and white photography.  She shared, “The most incredible part of the fair was the valuable advice I received from other talented artists. My favorites were Fran Scher’s paintings and Jane Leavey’s silver jewelry. Shoppers liked my llamas.”

Her photos are under oils, acrylics, pastels, and watercolors. Henos paints a portion of the photograph, inviting viewers to use their imaginations. Her paintings range from $150 to $2,000 or more. Her work is featured in the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Gallery.  Her first solo exhibition at the Abernathy Arts Center this past summer scored as one of their best in attendance, engagement, and sales for the City of Sandy Springs. She was also asked to create a photo shoot and paintings for the new Sandy Springs Police Headquarters. She laughed, “I believe they like them as I wasn’t arrested!”