August 21–September 25
 Weinstein JCC

This August, RTA–Richmond Hebrew Day School will present Brushstrokes of Tradition: RTA Students Reflect on Jewish Artists Through Art—its first student exhibition in the Sara D. November Gallery at the Weinstein JCC.

The show features original artwork by students in kindergarten through eighth grade. With works in conversation with major Jewish artists such as Helen Frankenthaler, Marc Chagall, and Sol LeWitt, the exhibit is both a celebration of creativity and a thoughtful reflection on identity, tradition, and expression.

Spanning two years of study, the artwork showcases RTA’s integrated arts curriculum, which emphasizes exploration of Jewish artists, exposure to modern and contemporary movements, and the cultivation of each student’s personal voice. Museum visits, classroom discussions, and experimental studio practices form the foundation for the projects, which range from stained-glass-style drawings to woven textiles, abstract paintings, and multimedia installations.

The exhibit runs from Aug. 21 through Sept. 25, at the Weinstein JCC, with a special Judaism and Art Symposium and Wine & Cheese Reception on Sept. 3 at 6:15 p.m.

Free and open to the community, the evening will feature a panel discussion moderated by RTA’s Head of School, Rabbi Elisha Paul, and include leading voices in the world of Jewish art and design: Erin Cross, RTA’s Art and STEM instructor and founder of The Glass Ceiling studio; Elie Glyn, Director of Exhibition Design and Production at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; Mia Laufer, Curator of European Art at the Chrysler Museum of Art; and Hillel Smith, a contemporary Jewish artist whose vibrant work appears throughout Richmond’s Jewish institutions.

The photos with this article are RTA students working on various art projects.

Art as Conversation: A Look Inside the Exhibit

Each grade engaged with the work of a particular artist or movement, translating observation into creation:

Frankenthaler’s Flowing Abstractions

Inspired by a 2024 trip to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, students in grades 1–5 explored the fluid, color-soaked forms of Helen Frankenthaler. Their watercolor abstractions embrace spontaneity, channeling the freedom of gesture and emotional resonance.

Soutine’s Expressionist Still Lifes

Students interpreted the bold brushwork and emotional intensity of Chaim Soutine, producing works that reflect their own learning environments. From classroom scenes to tools of creation, the results are raw and evocative.

Sol LeWitt’s Geometries and Questions of Authorship

Young artists explored the conceptual boundaries of line, form, and ownership, engaging with LeWitt’s provocative ideas through both individual and collaborative sculpture and design.

Lichtenstein and Pop Art Play

Inspired by comic-book aesthetics and bold design, students created vivid collages and multimedia pieces, including a light fixture reinterpretation and a hybrid-style drawing that merges Impressionism with Pop Art.

Color and Spirituality in Rothko

Fifth grader Rachelli Aronowitz created a meditative work on handmade recycled paper embedded with seeds, reflecting both Rothko’s depth and a personal spiritual journey.

Textile Traditions and Modern Design

A unit on Jewish women artists introduced students to the work of Anni Albers and Sonia Delaunay. Young artists created woven compositions and fabric-based collages that celebrate rhythm, color, and design rooted in storytelling and identity.

Chagall’s World of Wonder

Dreamlike, symbolic, and whimsical, the work of Marc Chagall inspired pieces across grade levels. From storybook watercolor scenes to stained-glass tributes, Chagall’s legacy found new life through student interpretation.

Original Works, Inspired Identities

Beyond historical study, students turned inward. A linocut of Israel by Rachelli Aronowitz, a symbolic narrative drawing by Zoe Legano, and a portrait series by alumnus Isaac Nichols reflect how Jewish themes and personal narrative can meet on the page.

About the Artist-Educator

This dynamic program is led by Erin Cross, RTA’s Art and STEM Instructor. A Richmond native and VCUarts graduate, Cross brings her experience as a practicing artist and curator to the classroom. Her work has appeared in exhibitions at the VMFA, the National Liberty Museum, and the Anderson Gallery, and she has curated numerous exhibitions throughout the region. Through her community arts space, The Glass Ceiling, on Robinson Street, she continues to engage Richmond in conversations around art, identity, and innovation.

To learn more about Erin Cross and her studio, visit theglassceilingrva.com.