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May 14, 2004/Iyar 23 5764, Vol. 56, No. 34
J.A.V.A. energizes arts scene
JENNIFER GOLDBERG
Staff Writer
Local artist Bobby Harr is passionate about the Valley Jewish arts scene.
"So much is happening here, that it's really time for the arts and culture now," he remarks. "You look in the paper, and you see hundreds of different little events. But there's nothing really bringing it all together."
Harr's answer to the perceived problem is J.A.V.A., the Jewish Artists of the Valley Association, a recently re-energized collective of artists and arts lovers "dedicated to creating a strong arts presence and sense of cultural community in the greater Phoenix area by supporting the works and ideas of Jewish artists and artists who are Jewish," says the group's mission statement.
The group emerged more than two years ago, but encountered difficulties getting off the ground. Last November, Harr and another J.A.V.A. co-founder, Susan Pinkus, worked together to bring the group back.
"Bobby and I are working together to carry the vision forward," Pinkus says.
The ultimate goal of J.A.V.A. is to be the central forum for Jewish arts and Jewish artists in the Valley: to act as a networking tool, arts apprec-iation society, outlet for involvement in the Jewish community, a one-stop shop for the community's arts needs and a safe haven for creativity of all sorts.
"I think art and culture can have a big pull in creating community, and I think we're hoping to produce a strong network of creative people who will create a stronger identity of Judaism," says Pinkus.
J.A.V.A.'s first meeting was held April 29, at Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, one of the group's sponsors.
Harr reports that approximately 40 people attended the event and that he received many phone calls afterward from people interested in the group who were unable to attend the meeting or who heard about the group from an attendee. He also says that, true to the spirit of J.AV.A.'s inclusive nature, attendees included visual artists, musicians, writers and more.
At the meeting, attendees listed their ideas for J.A.V.A. activities, committees, goals and fund raising.
There are plans for subgroups within J.A.V.A., according to artistic medium, but the only one currently in existence is the Visual Kavanah group headed by Pinkus for visual artists.
Although the larger J.A.V.A. group doesn't require its members to make Judaic art, the Visual Kavanah (divine intention) take a much more spiritual approach to the creation of art.
"The visual artists' group, is more to explore Jewish identity and thought through the visual arts," says Pinkus. "We're trying to bring in more Jewish faith and identity than we would at the J.A.V.A. group."
The next Visual Kavanah meeting, which will be held June 1, will be looking at artistic ways to interpret the Hebrew letters.
Pinkus suggests people come to the meeting "with a tangible piece of work or an idea that is ready to be expressed: an interpretation in a visual form or a thought form, but something that's ready to be shared with the group."
Details
- What: J.A.V.A. meeting
- When: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27
- Where: Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale.
- Cost: Free
- Call: 480-688-6470
- What: Visual Kavanah meeting
- When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 1
- Where: Center for Biblical Hebrew
- Cost: Free
- Call: 480-705-3240
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