“Under One Roof” Exhibition at Gordon Jewish Community Center Gallery
Sukkot at the JCC
Introducing Under One Roof 2020
Diversity: Beauty and Strength
“Under One Roof” Explores Social Themes and Diversity
By Sharon Benus
Gordon JCC Jewish Program and PJ Library Coordinator
Under One Roof is a fantastic opportunity for non-profit organizations and the community to collaborate together on vital social themes. It is a way to initiate dialogue on topics while coming together to help create a meaningful exhibit.
Our Sukkah brings together over 20 organizations to partner in the exhibit. This year’s organizations include past participants such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, Sri Ganesha Temple, Akiva School, Monroe Harding Foster Care Services, and Centennial Park Conservancy in addition to new participants of PENCIL, Family and Children’s Service, Poverty and the Arts, Tennessee Environmental Council, and Hands on Nashville.
Gordon Jewish Community Center’s canvas contribution to, “Under One Roof,” illustrating the beauty and strength that comes with diversity.
This year is unlike any year we have all experienced. It has been filled with uncertainty and many obstacles. Amidst the pandemic and social strife, we faced many changes taking place in communities around the country. While we brainstormed the theme for this year’s, “Under One Roof,” and protests continued around the nation, it became more and more apparent the importance exploring the value of diversity during this time. It is vital to embrace the beauty of diversity, to recognize our differences and learn from one another, this year’s theme is Diversity: Beauty and Strength.
While I plunged into laying out our artwork for the Gordon Jewish Community Center’s canvas, it was essential for me to illustrate how different physical features could be displayed within a silhouette. From the shape of the face, nose and forehead, to the style of the hair, one can find many distinctive features. Yet, the shapes and colors bleed into one another, connecting each other. While we are all physically different and come with different histories, we can all listen to one another’s stories to learn from each other. It is our responsibility to see all the beauty in diversity, to see diversity as a strength, and to grow from the knowledge that is within our differences.
POVA artists Edwin Lockridge, Thaddaeus Tekell, and Tre' ‘Deuce’ Ronin collaborated and represented POVa at the exhibitions.
Untitled, Mixed Media
Artists: Edwin Lockridge, Thaddaeus Tekell, Tré Deuce Ronin
Inspired by universal cultural icons, artists Edwin Lockridge, Thaddaeus Tekell, and Tré Deuce Ronin collaborated to create this mixed media response piece to highlight the diversity of cultures that recognize and honor similar imagery. Utilizing a variety of materials including acrylic paint, spray paint, and string, Untitled is a compelling demonstration of the beauty in collaboration among three diverse artists and their styles. While the imagery depicted in the piece reflects upon icons that have transcended origin to be adopted by many cultures, significant tales of strength are represented in the lives of the contributing artists and their persistence to contribute to the artistic community amidst a variety of challenging life circumstances.
