Local “Letters of Light” artist Anna Gil, who has shown her work recently in Venice and Paris and has also received national attention for her unique style, was the featured speaker this past Shabbat morning at Congregation Anshe Sfard.
The Orthodox synagogue invited the artist to speak about her art and the process by which she renders her original oil paintings following regular worship services, which began at 9:15 a.m. The title of the talk was “An Artist’s Journey.”
Artist Anna Gil, right, with her painting "Shalom" and Anshe Sfard Rabbi David Polsky at left. (Photo by Alan Smason)
In preparation for the event Gil prepared several handouts of the “Letters of Light,” which correspond to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. She also arranged for two large paintings – “Shalom” and “Yad” to be present in the synagogue during the services and for her talk.
During the course of her talk, Gil was interviewed by a friend, Sarah Peltier, who posed questions to give Anshe Sfard members a deeper appreciation for the process by which she renders her paintings.
Several other original pieces were located downstairs in the social hall for viewing during the Kiddush luncheon, which followed the talk.
Rabbi David Polsky invited Gil to take part in his speakers’ series two months ago. He oversaw the display of the paintings in the synagogue and stated he was very happy hearing what she has to say, especially with regards to the mystical process by which she paints.
