VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The Jewish Community Center of Houston will host an opening reception for teen artists whose works are on display in the Deutser Art Gallery on Sunday, April 10 at 4:00 p.m. The artists, their families and friends and the public are invited to the reception, which will also feature music performed by Jewish teen musicians and desserts prepared by teen chefs.

There are 42 Jewish teens participating this year in the Second Annual J Teen Art Scene Art Exhibition running April 5 – May 1, 2011. Their exhibit includes photography, ceramics, sketches, paintings and installations. Art Committee Chair Lea Weingarten juried the art with Yocheved Stock, Art teacher at Robert M. Beren Academy.

“Art submissions to the J Teen Art Scene jury this year were both sophisticated and of high quality. Jewish teens are keenly aware of how they fit in the world around them and how to reflect this in their artwork. They are creating effective and meaningful art—work that looks back at the history of art, and also provokes thought going forward,” said Weingarten.

The J Teen Art Scene was conceived in 2009 by the JCC Teen Services Committee, chaired by Debbie Lapin, as an initiative to provide Jewish teens with arts programs and opportunities. After a successful first art exhibit in 2010, the J Teen Art Scene Committee asked St. Johns School Junior Margeaux Epner to serve on the committee in 2011. Her input and connections to fellow Jewish teens have been invaluable.

“I am extremely passionate about this exhibit because it gives young adults an opportunity to be praised for their hard work and originality,” explained Epner. “The exhibit will bring life to the JCC and allows the whole community to enjoy the artistic abilities of their adolescents. While the whole planning process has been stressful at times, I truly enjoyed preparing for the exhibit, and I was also able to explore a new side of photography and expand my own interest.”

The Second Annual J Teen Art Scene Art Exhibition will be on exhibit in the JCC Deutser Art Gallery, 5601 S. Braeswood. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

For more information, visit www.jcchouston.org or contact Ariela Emery at aemery@jcchouston.org  or 713-729-3200.

This program was made possible, in part, by funding from the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, United Airlines and JPMorgan Chase & Co.