Creative expression moves us in the soul and hits us in the gut. Artists have the unparalleled power to help us see, hear and understand ourselves and each other.

When I first considered showing the work of Judy Robinson and Kara Snyder together, I was captivated by their enduring friendship and shared commitment to collaboration. I wanted to emphasize the profound relationships and bonds that art and creativity can forge. As I delved deeper, I realized their friendship reflects the essence of the havruta tradition—a Jewish practice of collaborative learning rooted in the Aramaic word for “friend.” This tradition enriches the learning experience and strengthens the personal connections between those engaged, mirroring the collaborative spirit that drives Robinson and Snyder’s artistic journey.

Judith Robinson, Afternoon, acrylic on canvas

Their paintings, while individually distinct, resonate with the energy of their synergies. I paired their works to highlight these bonds, drawing attention to how their compositions intersect through line, hue, intensity and subject matter. By emphasizing these connections, I hoped to ignite curiosity and invite viewers to engage in a visual dialogue that mirrors the artists’ own exchanges.

Recently, I witnessed a particularly meaningful scene that beautifully illustrated the connectivity I had hoped to achieve with this exhibit: children from the Gan Karmiel Pre-Kindergarten classroom in our Annabelle Rubinstein Early Childhood Development Center, guided by their teachers Sandy Rice Fritsch and Emmanuelle Wambach, sprawled in front of the paintings, fully immersed in making observational drawings with their markers and sketch pads. How inspiring it was to watch young minds interact with art, forming their own interpretations, and sparking their creativity!  Seeing the children connect with the artwork in such a genuine and imaginative way reaffirmed the power of art to ignite curiosity and foster dynamic learning, much like the havruta tradition emphasizes through collaborative examination and exchange.

While it was a delight to see young artists at work, it is especially affirming to witness firsthand the intentionality with which our early childhood educators curate unique experiences for the children in their classrooms, where sparks of imagination are being fueled and their creativity is being supported and harnessed. Because I believe in the power of art to help us understand our world, what truly motivates me is knowing that our educators seize every opportunity to nurture curiosity and imagination. Their dedication to exploration and discovery ensures that each spark of creativity is not only ignited but also given the space to flourish, setting the stage for a lifetime of learning and discovery.

The Art of Friendship is an exhibition at the JCC’s American Jewish Museum featuring a selection of 21 paintings by Pittsburgh-based artists Judy Robinson and Kara Snyder, on view through December 20, 2024.
Please join us for an artist reception with Judy Robinson and Kara Snyder
Sunday, September 29 • 3-5pm
Ostrow Palm Court • RSVP HERE

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat shalom,
Melissa Hiller