Art exhibition

Through the Lens of the Second Gen

The SFI Art Exhibition was originally created as a multi-generational program. Second-generation Holocaust survivors joined collaborated with high school art students, to transform the written word into sculptural expression.

Based on Second Gen essays describing their vision of a Holocaust memorial, the project quickly expanded into a six-month partnership paring student arts and Second Gen writers. The result: a traveling art exhibition.

The project proved to be a powerful validation for the Second Gen and an equally powerful learning tool for the students. Jacksonville artist and Bolles Art Teacher Jim Smith, photographer Mary Atwood and The Bolles School’s commitment all added to the project’s success. The exhibition was shown at the Cummer Museum in conjunction with MOSH and Anne Frank a History for Today Exhibit.

The exhibit has also be shown in an art gallery, synagogue and church settings. Plans are underway to bring the exhibition to the Florida State Capital in partnership with Tallahassee’s Holocaust Education Resource Council (HERC) and Tallahassee Community College. SFI has committed to multi-generational and multi-media partnerships with students and artists.