Dip, Paint, Transfer.  Explore the possibilities of working hands-on with wax encaustic and textiles. Enkaustikos is the Greek work for ‘burn in,’ and the technique can be traced back over 2000 years to Ancient Greece. The technique was revived by renowned 20th century painters such as Jasper Johns and Diego Rivera. Since the 1990s, encaustic art has seen a resurgence in popularity with artists who have evolved the art, using various media, including textiles. Try it for yourself. No experience necessary!

The meeting will be held at Karma Creative art studio, 3962 Chesswood Drive, Toronto, Ontario. Please note that this is the second Wednesday of the month.

“Celebrate: Saving a Textile Legacy”
Shila Desai will present the varied activities taking place in Gujarat India to save an important textile legacy with a long history. She will also talk about how women are empowering women through the sharing of textile traditions. Video clips will be included. New members are always welcome.

Shila leads textile tours to India. You can learn more on her website, Eat Your Heart Out Tours.

*Please note that this is the fourth Wednesday of the month.

“Celebrate: Celebration in Jewish Tradition – Launch of new Pomegranate Guild Exhibition”
Rabbi Elliott Diamond will lead us through a discussion on the theme of “Celebration in Jewish Tradition”. This will be followed by the launch of the new Pomegranate Guild exhibit with the theme “In Celebration”. Members will have an opportunity to work with Laya Crust to consider how to begin their new work. New members are always welcome.

“Celebrate: The Festivals – starting a project” with Artist in Residence, Laya Crust

Laya will get us started with “Seder Project Ideas”. Before the meeting think about:

• What do you love about Pesach and the seders?
• What do you find challenging about Pesach and the seders?
• Is there something you’d like to change about the seder or the haggadah?

At the program members will be part of a discussion on the cultural aspects of Pesach: the halachot; the interpretations that have arisen; different minhagim eg. kitniot, gebrachts, different kinds of charoset, different kinds of karpas; the social justice element of the ancient exodus from Egypt; Leviticus 19:34 The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

We will discuss items – especially textile items! – used for the seder: pillows, table cloths, matzah covers and consider how we can embellish the ideas to make something unique/ meaningful/ thought provoking/ beautiful/ fun. What is something new we can bring to the table? Let’s make it and share it March.

New members and guests always welcome.

February 18, 2015
“Celebrate: The Festivals – Deconstructing the Creative Process: The example of The Megillah” with Artist in Residence, Laya Crust

Using her Megillah commission as an example and case study, Laya will work with us to consider working on commission. Before the meeting, think about “What difficulties do you face when asked to create something for someone? Is it different if it is a paid commission? Are there issues when you are donating a piece of handwork or making something for free for a friend or family member?”

Laya will discuss setting parameters for creation. She will use a variety of techniques to share her process of her Megillah project, from discussion with clients to learning new art techniques, to researching the art and executing the work.

After this discussion, Laya will lead us through an interactive process to address the issue of commissions by creating our own Purim artifacts.

This presentation will have you ready to celebrate Purim on Thursday March 5!

New members and guests always welcome.

“Celebrate: Making Pesach – the Haggadah and Guild members’ projects” with Artist in Residence, Laya Crust

Laya will lead us through an exploration of Haggadot over time, and our seder project items. She will present an A/V presentation on haggadot: From the earliest haggadah, to modern haggadot, themes that appear and disappear depending on the country, the political situation, the surrounding culture etc., and looking through imagery and themes from medieval times to present day. This will be followed by an exhibit of elements our members have created for their own seders.

April 15, 2015
 Artist Talk by Professor Myriam Nafte
* at Darchei Noam

The Pomegranate Guild is delighted to partner with Darchei Noam for this artist talk. Myriam Nafte is the daughter of a Rabbi and a professor of Anthropology at McMaster University. With this background, Myriam’s Judaic works explore ancient text as imagery, and its powerful role as a cultural determinant. Each piece profoundly laden with meaning, intersects Jewish text with history, science, philosophy, cosmology, astronomy, geology and geometry.

New members and guests always welcome.

May 20, 2015

New members and guests always welcome.

The People of the Book

April 25 – August 5 2014
Apotex Centre
Baycrest
3560 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON

August 6 – December, 2014
Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto
613 Clark Ave W
Vaughan, ON

January  6 – March 18, 2015
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue
100 Elder St.
Toronto, ON

March 18 – May 20, 2015
Beth Tikvah Synagogue
3080 Bayview Ave
Toronto, ON
Jewish Ritual Objects:  Traditional and Contemporary

May – October
Beth Tzedec Reuben & Helene Dennis Museum
1700 Bathurst St
Toronto, ON