Exhibit at
The Gallery Above at the J
Share your Work. Inspire Your Community
Discover The Gallery Above at the J, a rotating art exhibition space on the second floor of JCC Rockland, right outside the elevator. This highly visible location welcomes hundreds of community members, families, and guests each day, making it a vibrant platform for artists to share their work.
Every 8–12 weeks, the gallery features a new exhibition—bringing fresh perspectives, stories, and creativity to our campus. Each show is celebrated with an opening reception, offering artists the chance to engage with the community and highlight their vision.
In alignment with JCC Rockland’s mission, exhibitions are open to Jewish artists or artists presenting Jewish-themed artwork. We invite artists of all disciplines—painting, photography, mixed media, textile, and more—to submit their work. All artwork must be suitable to hang on the walls of the gallery. All artists—whether emerging or established—are encouraged to apply. Our goal is to highlight diversity in voice, expression, and vision.
Selected artists will receive dedicated gallery space, promotion through JCC Rockland’s marketing channels, an opening reception, exposure to a dynamic and diverse community, and the opportunity to sell their artwork.
To apply, please submit 3–5 digital images of recent work, an artist bio and statement, contact information, and a link to your website or portfolio (if available).
Grand Opening
November 9th at 2PM
Featuring the works of Joan Israel
Free and Open to the Public | $18 Suggested Donation
About Joan Israel
As a child of the Depression in the Bronx, Joan had fond memories of her mother cutting up grocery bags and sharpening a pencil with a knife. She showed Joan how to make a smiley face and stick figures. This homemade drawing pad kept Joan happy for a long time. Later on, when there was more money to spend, Joan could get coloring books and Crayola crayons. The crayons came in a box of eight, and to this day, the smell of those crayons triggers such good memories. When the box of 48 crayons was available, Joan was the happiest kid in America!
Joan’s passion for form and color continued and she got into the High School of Music and Art. Joan went on to get a BFA at the Pratt Institute and later, continued her studies at NYU and the Parson’s Institute of Design.
Her love of art has continued all these years and has included photography, textile design, ceramics, and polymer clay. She always comes back to painting! She usually paints with gouache, an opaque and water based paint, because the colors are so bright and vivid.
She has been a member of Na’amat, and is currently in the National League of Pen Women, The Long Beach Art League, and Artists and Craftsmen of New York.
She was raised in a conservative, kosher home. Her Jewish identity is a large part of who she is. Her love for Israel is absolute.