The St. Cecilia Academy advanced art class was one of 30 diverse organizations that submitted a collaborative art piece to the Under One Roof annual community art initiative. Under One Roof celebrates the Jewish fall harvest holiday of Sukkot and engages community organizations in creating art around a given theme. The theme for this year’s Under One Roof is “Honor Humanity: K’vod Ha’Briot.”
“I was excited when they reached out to invite my art students to participate,” said Amie Pike, St. Cecilia Academy’s advanced art teacher. “The project was a great way to learn about a cultural holiday from another faith, and how we connect in the same world, under the same stars as one humanity. The girls are proud of their final artwork and really shined in supporting each other in their strengths in the creative process.”
The St. Cecilia artists interpreted the theme and decided on a symbolic image of humanity, centered around the globe on their 30-by-48 inch stretched canvas. In the image, the hands with different skin tones are supporting the globe to show that everyone has a key role on earth and that, no matter where we live, we are all one big community, and a community is not successful without the help of other people.
The artists explored different ages, races, skin tones, and cultures for the stars above the globe. The different people symbolize equality. Similarly, the inspiration is that no matter what race, religion, etc., all people are placed on this earth as brothers and sisters, and all deserve the same treatment.
The night sky background is a reminder that all people are in the same solar system on the same earth. Overall, the message is that the St. Cecilia community incorporates the well-being of all ethnicities and religions.
The Under One Roof exhibition is open and free to the public. The exhibit runs through Sunday, October 8, during normal business hours at the Gordon Jewish Community Center, 801 Percy Warner Blvd, in Nashville.
