Community Arts Organization
In the 1980s, in the early days of the AIDS pandemic, I had the privilege of being involved with the development of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, initially as a volunteer-- helping folks to make panels for their loved ones as well as sewing panels together- and then as a paid staff person.
The experience was transformative on many levels. I was part of what was then referred to as the world's largest community arts project. I learned the power of art and community, something I have seen in action time and again in the years since.
Below I have profiled a few of the endeavors which I have initiated and organized.
Now I'm remembering that I was first involved in organizing an arts weekend as a teen as part of a Jewish youth group!
More recently, in 2017, I planned a weekend from soup to nuts-- the overall program design, all of the details, and even the graphics at Temple Israel in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
The Friday evening service was a musical one; Saturday morning, a creative one. Both included relevant teachings.
After Havdalah on Saturday evening community members offered performances. Sunday morning was "Bagels and Beauty-- a brunch a panel discussion which was followed by hands on workshops and sales of local artisans work.
The weekend apparently breathed much needed new life into the synagogue community.
In 2023 the San Francisco Bay Area lost one of its most beloved artists and I lost a very dear friend.
Two years after the death of Susan Duhan Felix I was asked to find homes for her artwork and possibly to raise funds for one of her spiritual homes in Berkeley (the city where she was the mayor appointed "Arts Ambassador").
In June of 2025 I organized and facilitated an afternoon of sales and entertainment that celebrated Susan's wonderful life. The event gave people who knew and loved her and opportunity to come together surrounded by her art and spirit, taking some of it home.
We also raised significant funds for organizations Susan held close to her heart-- Chochmat HaLev and UA Homes.