JIAS MONTREAL ART FAIR A MARVELOUS SUCCESS
by Shelly Fabian, Communications Associate, JIAS Montreal

JIAS Montreal held its first ever art fair in mid-May at the Atrium of the YM-YWHA, where 17 newly arrived international artists displayed and sold original art and art crafts. 

The three-day event was a remarkable success resulting in combined sales of $4,000.

 More than 150 guests attended the evening vernissage that was sponsored by the generous contribution of Amy & Misha Kornik.  Organized by Joyce Fishman, Kayla Schneiderman, Terry Minzberg, Estie Radowitz –Walsh and Carole Worsoff of the JIAS Welcome & Hospitality Committee together with Amy Kornik, the vernissage offered the newcomers an opportunity to meet members of the Montreal Jewish Community.

Attending the vernissage was prominent Quebec artist Serge Brunoni, who was born in Lorraine France and immigrated to Canada in 1963, settling in Three Rivers. Mr. Brunoni’s works are exhibited in some of Canada’s most famous galleries.  He spent the evening talking to the new artists, encouraging them by his own positive experience.

Move-in Art Fair was organized by JIAS resettlement counselors Melanie Freedman and Debora Rabinovich, who were eager to help these new artists establish themselves here in Montreal.

 “One of my clients, Nora Golic, proposed the idea of an exhibit,” explained Melanie.

“When we realized that we had so many artists as new clients, we thought that an art exhibit and fair would really help to promote and encourage them,” added Debora.

The counselors, who had never organized something like this before,  had the full support of the JIAS team as well as the Jewish Community Centre YM-YWHA. 

Besides displaying quality, original art, some of the artists also contributed to the organization of the event.  Juan Diuk created the attractive invitation collage and souvenir catalogue while Mariana Semino and Alejandro Boim designed the set up of both the art fair and the vernissage.

Feedback from the artists was extremely positive, not only because they were able to sell their creations, but also because they really felt welcomed into the community.  “The artists all appreciated the work that went into organizing this event and loved the attention they received by the community,” said Melanie. 

Sid Milech, Senior Jewish Educator at the JCC was instrumental in helping JIAS with the venue.   “We received wonderful positive feedback from this event and we are encouraged to repeat it again next year,” said Sid.  “The Y’s clients were very impressed, particularly with the quality and originality of the art and art crafts.  They were especially pleased when they heard that the exhibitors were new arrivals, and that the community was supporting their efforts.”