Last month, her loyalty paid dividends: a photograph she submitted to the Keren Or creative arts contest for teens won best photograph (grades 10-12).
Zirkes will the youngest of the eight artists who will be featured at the sixth annual P’Chotchka, the annual gala of Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council. The event will be held at the Metropolitan Ballroom (5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley) on June 5 at 6 p.m.
The eight artists represent more than a dozen different artistic and professional disciplines. Their accomplishments range from chef/musician to urban planner/fused glass artist. All eight will have their opportunity to speak about how the creative process works for them, but it won’t be easy: Each artist has just 18 slides, and 18 seconds per slide, to get their point across.
David Harris, the executive director of Rimon – a program of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation –said that the format comes from the Japanese word “Pecha Kucha,” which means chit-chat.
“Since 1995, Rimon has supported more than 200 Minnesota artists in a range of media,” said Harris. “This year’s P’Chotchka event shows the true depth and breadth of Twin Cities Jewish arts and artists.”
Other P’Chotchka honorees this year are:
Shari Aronson is co-creative director of Z Puppets Rosenschnoz with husband Chris Griffith. Since 1998, they have led children and adults to the power of playfulness. Shari is a playwright/producer who has studied physical comedy and puppetry. She has created new work for Sabes Jewish Community Center, Minnesota Children’s Museum, Science Museum of Minnesota and Minnesota History Center.
Bonnie Rubinstein has an advanced degree in urban design/planning, and designed an exclusive line of high-end fashion jewelry. But her passion for glass led to building her glass-fusing studio in a former dairy barn in Wisconsin. She creates award-winning wall sculptures, lighting fixtures, sinks, etc. for hospitals, universities, restaurants and residences.
Michelle Horovitz is one of the co-founders and Executive Director of Appetite for Change (AFC), a nonprofit using food as a tool to build health, wealth and social change. Michelle earned a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County before working for James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein as a prep cook, line cook and assistant to the pastry chef. Michelle serves on the Board of Directors of Jewish Community Action and is passionate about social and racial justice.
Avigail Manneberg is a Minneapolis-based artist who grew up in Israel. In addition to her Master in Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota, Avigail has a minor in Museum Studies and was the recipient of the Sheehy Internship at the Weisman Art Museum. Avigail has also been the Artist-in-Residence at the Tychman Shapiro Gallery in Minneapolis. She has exhibited in the USA and internationally, including in Finland, Berlin, Cyprus, Beijing and Israel.
Yoni Reinharz is a 36-year-old musician and restaurateur from Minneapolis, MN. He is co-owner of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, winners of the reality TV show Food Court Wars on Food Network. Pimento serves authentic Jamaican street cuisine using family recipes, chef-inspired techniques, and fresh local ingredients. Yoni is also a rapper, singer and instrumentalist best known for his collaboration with Grammy-nominated vocalist Matisyahu on his gold-selling debut album, “Live at Stubb’s.”
Northern Starz Theatre Company is an educational theater located in Ramsey, MN. The educational program for I Never Saw Another Butterfly has enabled the theater to expand its programming and take on other special projects.
Michael Forstein is a film director and producer whose films have screened at Sundance, South by Southwest, AFI Fest, the Los Angeles Film Festival, and Rooftop Films. He has taught filmmaking master classes at the San Francisco Academy of Art, University of Texas-Arlington, and IFP Minnesota.
Admission is only $54, which includes food and a beverage. For more information or to order tickets, visit Rimon’s website or call 952-381-3449
