Finding Our Colors Through the 818 Art Festival
Art enhances our world with vibrant colors and shares stories we might not otherwise encounter. For one of our student interns, Rose Siemen, a junior at CSUN, the new Hillel building seemed to lack precisely this, prompting them to devise a solution. They explained, “The new Hillel 818 building recently opened but there wasn’t much decor up yet; I wanted the walls to be less plain and do something about it before I graduate. I approached Matt with the idea of establishing an art gallery. Matt embraced the concept but emphasized the importance of ensuring that the art aligned with Judaism and Jewish culture. Although I have a year left at CSUN, I wanted to leave my mark and raise their profile. With this in mind, I landed on the idea of the 818 Art Festival.”
For Rose, the purpose isn’t limited to adoring Hillel’s walls; It’s about making connections with other people through their art. They stated, “I am a huge believer in the quote ‘Earth without art is just 'Eh.'’ I want artwork to improve people's day and this festival to become something thar artists and art enthusiasts look forward to. I believe that this initiative is something that can do wonders for artists and those who appreciate art. I genuinely feel that art deserves recognition, and artists are individuals who should be acknowledged as much as their creations. With this in mind, it's important to help bring art to the forefront of our daily lives and recognize the people who enrich their lives with color.”
Eliana Leish, the Hillel 818 Springboard Intrapreneurship Fellow, can’t wait for the greater community to experience the 818 Art Festival. She remarked, “Rose has been brainstorming ways to make their art festival a reality since last spring. They've invested countless hours developing the theme and student experience on campus. I’m excited to see how everything comes together this week and how the CSUN student body reacts to each unique piece. Right now, we're exposed to so much content on our phones including videos, pictures, making it challenging to truly engage with any of it. As we enter the New Year, it's important to pause and fully experience what's around us. Displaying art in the sukkah on campus offers viewers a brief moment for interpretation and self-reflection. They'll step out of their hectic day and into the sukkah, where they can actively engage with each student's personal connection to their religion and cultural history.”
Both Eliana and Rose see a bright future for the festival. Eliana added, “As it continues to grow, the art festival will provide a wonderful opportunity for Hillel 818 to collaborate not only with CSUN, but also the art departments of Piece College and LA Valley College, fostering connections of Jewish artists across the Valley.”
Don’t miss the 818 Art Festival at CSUN on Tuesday, October 3, Wednesday, October 4, and Thursday, October 5 from 11:30-2 and Friday from 4-6 at the Hillel building!
