Artwork > Community Art Workshops > Youth Workshops

Brighter Connected: Collective Luminescence, 2020
Window Display, Newton Centre

For the past few years, I have created glowing blacklight installations at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston as part of the MFA’s “Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights” community celebration (“Brighter Together” in 2018 and “Brighter Beyond” in 2019). When it was confirmed that we would not be able to gather to celebrate as in years past, I was motivated to think creatively to realize a way to still be able to bring glowing artwork to the community during this dark time of year. So, in 2020, we have the third iteration of the Brighter Series - JArts’ “Brighter Connected” is a public art installation that shares the light of Hanukkah with eight Boston-area neighborhoods through works of art in windows designed for socially distanced viewing. Though it looks a little different than previous years, it is even more important to share our light together during these challenging times. Thus - Collective Luminescence! I led zoom art workshops with over 200 students from 8 Jewish days schools and included their creations in my installation.

Brighter Connected: Collective Luminescence
a collaborative blacklight installation
Mixed media, 2020

This blacklight installation is inspired by the theme of light as a vehicle for connection during the dark and isolating experience of a global pandemic. Hundreds of decorated cards by students from 8 Jewish day schools light a path towards the central glow of a woven mandala representing the Shamash candle of the menorah - the candle that lights all the others. All are invited to sign up to receive a postcard in the mail following the installation that will include a message of light from a student and artwork to color in and hang in your own window to spread the light even further.