Art Space of Their Own

Philadelphia, PA — After a year and a half of running programs out of rented space at Center City universities, Chabad House for Students of the Arts is opening its own exhibition and programming space on South Street.

Dubbed the Kugel Collaborative, the gallery on the ground floor of a newly built red brick condo complex at 1544 South St. will be dedicated to student exhibitions, performing arts showcases and social events, said Rabbi Daniel Grodnitzky, who co-directs the non-profit Chabad organization with his wife.

Since moving to the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in fall 2010, Grodnitzky estimated that they’ve reached more than 200 Jewish students and faculty at the University of the Arts, Moore College of Art and Design, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Art Institute of Philadelphia through Shabbat programs at their home, holiday parties and special events such as a recent fashion show highlighting modest dress.

The inaugural student exhibit at the Collaborative, “A Day in the Life of Trees,” includes about 30 sculptures, ink drawings, wood carvings, paintings and photos all focused on nature in honor of Tu B’Shevat.

Another Lubavitch-sponsored gallery, the Old City Jewish Art Center, has been operating since 2007. That gallery is also featuring a special exhibit this month, with 69 even younger students from the Center City Jewish Preschool and Torah Academy will get their turn in the limelight in in a “Tikkun Olam” themed display.

While the Old City location is run by a different Chabad rabbi, Grodnitzky said he wanted to establish a venue exclusively for college students closer to where they live and go to school.

“Students like doing their own thing so we wanted to create a space where they could develop it on their own,” he said.

He plans to curate a different, Jewish-themed exhibit each month and eventually turn the basement into an auxiliary gallery with a more permanent collection. In addition to art, the space will house film screenings, lunch learning sessions, monthly Shabbat meals, poetry slams, jazz concerts, parties and “office hours.” If all goes well, Grodnitzky said, they’ll look for funders to keep the building open past their 18-month lease.

“We’re so excited to create a space where young Jewish artists can explore and express their connection to their heritage through their respective art forms,” Grodnitzky said. “We can’t wait to share this process with the entire Philadelphia community.”