Beth El to host historic Cuban art exhibit, auction

By MICHAEL A. APPLEMAN, Ph.D.

Two years after a life-changing mission to Cuba, Beth El Synagogue will host an historic Cuban Art Exhibit and Auction 6 p.m. Monday, June 6 at the synagogue, 5224 W. 26th St., St. Louis Park. More than 100 pieces, large and small, of original Cuban art, including 27 major works of José Fuster — “the Picasso of Cuba” — will be exhibited and sold, ranging in price from $50 to $5,000.

This will be the first major exhibit and auction of Cuban art in the Midwest in nearly a decade.

In 2009, Beth El congregants traveled to Cuba with humanitarian supplies — medicine, clothing, books, etc. They thought they were going to give, but they took home far more than what they brought. Visiting synagogues, community centers and historic sites, participants returned with an understanding of the challenges of living in modern-day Cuba — an appreciation of freedom enjoyed in America and, unexpectedly, with art.

Unquestioningly, one of the trip’s highlights was visiting the Havana studio of world-famous artist Fuster. Today, sharing the paintings, ceramics and watercolors of this master outside of Cuba is our ongoing way of supporting the struggle of Cuban artists as well as the dynamic programming at Beth El Synagogue.

Through a personal invitation from Beth El, Fuster’s son, Alexander Fuster, was granted a visa from the Cuban and American governments to exhibit his father’s works. He will attend and speak at Beth El’s art auction.

Paintings may be viewed online at: www.bethelsynagogue.org.

(American Jewish World, 5.27.11)