Karen Walanka, z”l (1946-2018)
Karen was a long-time member of the AGJA and the Guild’s president in 2015. In 2007, Karen founded the Judaic Arts Fair in Chicago, one of most highly regarded biennials of Jewish art and culture in the United States, sponsored by Moriah Congregation. The AGJA’s annual Karen Walanka Online Exhibition is a way for us to honor Karen’s memory, her love of beauty and her life-long ambition to bring it to us all.
KAREN WALANKA EXHIBITION
2026
EVERYDAY HOLINESS
CALL FOR ART
How do we add holiness to our everyday life?
We can start by noticing things.
After Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil their “eyes were opened, and they “noticed” the presence of God with them in Gan Eden (B’reshith 3:8), so they tried to hide themselves and their nakedness. We can presume God was there all along, but they had not paid attention to the slight sound and cooling breeze of God’s presence until their new knowledge caused them to notice.
Many things can inspire a feeling of holiness if we pause long enough to absorb them. As artists, that pause for reflection can become an inspirational work that invites others to participate in holiness. The art could be tangible, like something used for a ritual, or a visual abstraction evoking a feeling of holiness. The purposeful pursuit of holiness brings us all closer to God, and artists could consider that a mitzvah.
Artists are encouraged to submit 2d and/or 3d work in any medium.
b. A two (2) sentence bio.
c. Your contact info (email address and/or website).
Send your submission to Shoshannah Brombacher at: shoshbm@gmail.com and cc: office@jewishart.org
Write on the subject line: Everyday Holiness
Questions or comments please email Shoshannah at the address above or office@jewishart.org
SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE APRIL 19TH by midnight (your local time)
The entry fee of $18 is waived for our members and Chaverim.
Non-members please prepay the submission fee below.