(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) — Hancock Shaker Village will unveil Shalom: Weaving Threads of Peace mixed-media assemblages by Wendy Rabinowitz in the Poultry House Gallery at an opening reception on Saturday, August 4, 2012, from 5pm to 7pm. The exhibition will run through Sunday, August 26. Rabinowitz will also give a gallery talk as part of the Village’s Return and Learn series on Saturday, August 11, at 2pm.

Pittsfield-based artist Wendy Rabinowitz’s unique artwork combines weaving and textile arts with other visual arts, graphics, and the written word, resulting in mixed media assemblages. Recognition of a living spirituality permeates all of her work.

In response to what they viewed as Divine revelation, around 1842 the Shakers gave each of their villages a spiritual name, and Hancock became The City of Peace. That title is also a popular English translation of “Jerusalem;” Salem, of course, being similar to the Hebrew word “Shalom,” which means “Peace.”  This is just one of the many intriguing connections between Shaker and Jewish spirituality that are reflected upon in this exhibit and gallery talk.

Additional shared themes explored in the exhibition include deep reverence for the earth, the sacred work of our hands, and respect for craftsmanship. Rabinowitz’s Shalom series celebrates the synchronicity between strands of Judaism and Shakerism not only through shared values and a rich symbolism and iconography, but also through reverence for the land and community.

This gallery show will be on display in conjunction with the Shaker Shalom collaboration between Hancock Shaker Village and Congregation Knesset Israel, “Shaker Soul and Jewish Neshama: A Spiritual Bond,” which includes a gala celebration, a Shaker-Jewish fusion concert by clarinet virtuoso Paul Green and his Neshoma Klezmer Ensemble, and live and silent auctions on Sunday, August 12, 2012. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Rabinowitz’s work will help to support Hancock Shaker Village programming.

Return and Learn sessions are free to HSV members and included with general admission. For more information or to make reservations for the exhibition opening reception, call 800.817.1137.
Hancock Shaker Village, the Shaker “City of Peace,” brings the Shaker story to life and preserves it for future generations. The Village portrays principled living, as embodied in the faith-based values of the Shakers – equality, community, sustainability, and responsible land stewardship of their resources—values that resonate today.

Hancock Shaker Village members and children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Admission for adults is $17 and youth visitors aged 13 to 17 are $8.

Hancock Shaker Village is located on Route 20 in Pittsfield, Mass., just west of the junction of Routes 20 and 41. For GPS purposes, the Village is located at 34 Lebanon Mountain Rd., Hancock, Mass. 01237. Or, enter 1843 W. Housatonic St., Pittsfield, Mass. 01201 then proceed 1/2 mile further West on Rt. 20 to the parking lot.