Three local artists who made art—and connections—from across the world
How Partnership2Gether formed meaningful (and beautiful) connections through art and Zoom
The Re-Art program culminates in travel and exhibitions of the artists’ work. Photo by Linda Passon-McNally.
When three local artists signed up for a Partnership2Gether program connecting artists in Minneapolis and Israel, they learned it would take place over something called Zoom.
They didn’t realize they were piloting a new reality.
But what they learned is what many of us are learning right now: virtual connection can be incredibly meaningful.
When local artists Linda Passon-McNally, David Sherman, and Cathy Tobias signed up for Federation’s Re-Art program in 2018, none of them knew quite what to expect.
“I had never heard of it before,” Cathy said. “Did I have something that meaningful that I could share? And I didn’t have a clue what Re-Art meant.”
Re-Art is part of Partnership2Gether, a program that pairs cities around the world with sister cities in Israel to help promote exchanges between Israel and the diaspora that are cultural, educational, and social. It’s also done in collaboration with the Sabes JCC and Rimon, and this last cohort received strong guidance from Robyn Awend. With Re-Art, the cultural exchange of P2G was quite literal—participants in Minneapolis got to exchange original artworks with their peer cohort in our sister city, Rehovot. All of this was facilitated by Zoom calls—something that an audience in 2020 knows about intimately.
Each of the Minneapolis artists mentioned how important each of the Zoom calls they had with their Israeli counterparts was. It was an incredible way for them to connect, meet each other, and exchange ideas. Even though there were travel opportunities to meet in person, meeting virtually sustained the artists’ connections to each other and kept their work moving forward.
“It was new all the way around,” David said of making art not only with fellow artists, but artists who also happened to be halfway across the world. “People are playing around with your finished piece, and you’re doing the same to others, and you’re trying to understand people and figure out where they’re coming from, where they get their creativity. You’re meeting people and meeting them in this new way. I thought it was really good.”
At the Re-Art exhibit in Rehovot, Israel. Photo by Linda Passon-McNally.
Six artists—three from each city—were chosen for the 2018–19 cohort. Each artist was charged with creating one original piece of art focusing on their interpretation of the theme “Judaism, Art, and Science Interwoven.” Each artist’s original was sent either across the city or the world to be manipulated and changed by the others—meaning that from the six original pieces of art, 36 edited and transformed (or re-arted) new pieces emerged (view them all here!). Cathy, Linda, and David are all photographers and digital artists, and each submitted an original photograph interpreting the program’s theme.
“We all submitted a piece on the topic, and then every six weeks or so we did the re-art process,” David said. “We would do the [re-art changes], submit them, and then have a call to talk about them.”
“We put our own interpretations, added things. Sometimes the original was recognizable, and it sometimes it wasn’t,” Linda added. The theme was another layer of complexity to add to the mix, she explained. “I was sort of lost in a sea in history, Judaism, anthropology. I didn’t know where I was going to go with any of it. It was a lot to consider.”
David’s original photograph was “re-arted” by the other five artists to reflect the theme of “Judaism, Art, and Science Interwoven.” Photo by Linda Passon-Mcnally.
The theme was challenging, but also meant to reflect the values of both cities involved. Rehovot is known as the City of Science and Culture in Israel, and Minneapolis is home to many major influential science-centered companies and institutions.
“I’m taken with the way the six of us approached the topic differently,” said David. Each artist brought their own viewpoint and opinion and values to the (virtual) table, and each one expressed them differently through their artwork. It made for unique conversations and for personal growth.
“I take on these projects because I want something that will push me and grow me,” Cathy said. “Not only did it expand what I was doing artistically, it expanded what I wrote about and what I wanted to say with my art. I didn’t know what depth was going to come up for me.”
This wasn’t just an experience for artists to connect with each other digitally—the cohorts also had opportunities to travel to each other’s cities and experience their art in person. Linda was able to go to Rehovot to see all 36 pieces of art displayed. All in all, the program allowed the artists an incredible opportunity to connect with three artists on the other side of the world, and to connect more deeply with their local Jewish community. And Re-Art is a perfect example of how a virtual connection is a powerful way to build relationships and foster creativity.
Linda travelled to Rehovot to meet with fellow artists and see her own work displayed. Photo courtesy of Linda Passon-McNally.
“I’d never really been connected with the Minneapolis Jewish Federation before,” Cathy said. “I feel more connected with that. When the artists from Israel were here, we went to some programs that I’d never even heard of. It was really cool to learn what was going on in my own backyard. I’m really glad I did it, and stepped off that cliff of the unknown.”
Currently, P2G is offering other virtual events and courses to help you connect with your community locally and globally. You can check P2G out here or follow us on Facebook for virtual P2G opportunities.
To view the art created by the Re-Art Cohort, click here!