10th Anniversary of the Washington DC Jewish Community Center

Friday, 27 April 2007 23:12

Washington, DC - In honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Washington DC Jewish Community Center at 16th and Q Streets, the Center’s Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery is presenting an exhibition of 10 artists with local roots: five nationally recognized figures each of whom has selected another artist whose work will be on view as well.  “5+5: Five Artists Select Five Artists to Watch”.  Exhibition continues through May 13, 2007.  The featured artists are: Sam Gilliam, who selected Jae Ko; John Gossage, who selected Pia Calderon; Martin Puryear, who selected Otho Branson; Dan Steinhilber, who selected Y. David Chung; and Renée Stout, who selected Mary Early.

“5+5” is a departure for the Gallery, which in the past has typically focused on Jewish themes or artists.  “With this exhibition, we pay tribute to 10 highly talented artists—influential figures, great teachers, emerging bright lights and relative unknowns,” said Joshua Ford, co-director of the Washington DCJCC’s Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts.   “If there is one thing that they have in common with the J, it is their strong ties to the local community. This exhibition is part of our larger 10th Anniversary celebration of creativity, community and connection.”

The exhibition

“5+5” includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and mixed-media.  The earliest work in the exhibition is a 1973 wood, steel and wire sculpture by Puryear; the most recent work is a site specific installation by Steinhilber that will be completed in the weeks before the exhibition opens.  In addition, several other artists are making new works specifically for “5+5.”  Page 2

“To me, much of the excitement of the exhibition is in seeing the work of several generations of artists together in one place,” said guest curator Phyllis Rosenzweig, former curator of works on paper at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.  “For me it is a reminder of how strong and sustained a presence of important artists co-exists in this city along with what feels like an explosion of new energy coming out of the studios and supported by adventurous galleries and non-profit spaces that have begun to flourish on the streets neighboring the Washington DCJCC's building.

“The fact that every artist responded positively to the invitation to participate in this show, and the eagerness with which one group of artists embraced the opportunity to select other artists to be included with them, suggests the generosity of spirit that keeps a creative community open and vital,” added Rosenzweig.  “This is not a theme show, except to the extent that it recognizes and celebrates the proved validity, depth and ongoing promise of D.C. as a good place for artists to be.”

Programs

In conjunction with “5+5,” the Washington DCJCC will offer several public programs.  Visit www.washingtondcjcc.org or call (202) 777-3208 for information about fees and registration.

The Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is free.  The Washington DCJCC, located in the nation’s capital and serving residents of the metropolitan area, is located at 16th and Q streets, N.W., four blocks east of the Dupont North Metro station.  For information on events relating to the 10th Anniversary, visit www.dcjcc.org/10yrs.