
The Room in the Elephant: Jewish Folk Art Workshop
Ashkenaz is thrilled to announce WondeRing – an exciting new project created for this summer’s festival by Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artists and educators, Creative Ways’ Benny Ferdman and Shari Davis, along with Toronto Curator Evelyn Tauben. Enter a world of wonder inspired by Eastern European Jewish folk arts traditions in a hands-on, fun-filled encounter with Jewish art and art-making for all ages. WondeRing will take place across the entire Festival site at Harbourfront Centre, and animate this year’s Ashkenaz Parade. And here’s the best part: you get to be part of the art-making process! The project will launch with a unique intensive workshop presented together with OCAD U Continuing Studies. Workshop participants will gain deep understanding of the symbol systems, and often fantastical visual culture, that surrounded Ashkenazi Jewish communities for centuries: a ring of rabbits circling a leviathan, mythological creatures such as mermaids and unicorns, an elephant with a castle on his back. It’s a unique opportunity to work closely with visiting artist Benny Ferdman to build large-scale sculptures that will be displayed at the Festival.
Thanks to a generous donor, a limited number of bursaries are available for this workshop to students, emerging artists, and those requiring financial assistance to participate. To receive the registration link for the $85 + HST subsidized fee, please email, continuingstudies@ocadu.ca
The Room in the Elephant: Jewish Folk Art Workshop
Monday, August 27 – Thursday August 30, 5:30 – 9 PM
OCAD University, 100 McCaul Street
Register early, spaces are limited! Click here for more information and to register.
Presented by OCAD U Continuing Studies and Ashkenaz
