Works of Venetian glass artist coming to Skirball Museum at HUC | Arts & Culture

CINCINNATI (FOX19) - An exciting new exhibition of Venetian glass creations and textiles by renowned artist Michael Gore will open at the Skirball Museum on Sunday, December 4, with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. The artist will be present. This is the second major exhibit this year at the museum located on the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College-Institute of Religion at 3101 Clifton Avenue in Clifton. 

The show demonstrates the school’s ongoing commitment to bringing a new dimension to the Cincinnati art world with exhibitions that celebrate Jewish art as well as other acclaimed works. The Gore exhibit will run through February. The museum will be open to the public every Sunday (except December 25 and January 1) through February 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The museum will also be open by appointment for groups of five or more. 

Born in Chicago in 1954, Michael Gore studied at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and its sister school in Rome, Italy. While in Italy, Gore began to collaborate with master artisans of the Venetian tradition. He studied and continues to work with the master glass blowers and artisans of Anfora Furnace of Murano, working in both traditional and contemporary Venetian techniques. 

Gore now travels to Venice, Italy, several times a year to create unique Judaica, including mezzuzot, yads, kiddush cups, dreidles and shofars, as well as mainstream items such as bowls and vases. 

“(Most of my) artistic energies are focused on Judaic art and design, devoted to the creation of elegant objects of Jewish ritual and symbolism for both home and synagogues,” he says. 

When working in the United States, Gore concentrates on fused glass techniques for the creation of tile pieces, tableware, windows, jewelry and other items. He also works in Venetian textiles, and designs and creates interior settings for homes and places of worship from his studio in Northbrook, Illinois. 

All of the artist’s work to be on display at the Skirball will be for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to the museum. 

“This is an wonderful opportunity for holiday shopping,” says Jen Lader, Director of Outreach at the Clifton campus. “Much of Michael Gore’s work would make very special Hanukah gifts.” 

This new effort to better showcase the Skirball Museum with innovative exhibits was initiated last year by Dr. Jonathan Cohen, the new Dean of the Cincinnati branch of HUC-JIR. 

The Skirball is known for it rich collection of Jewish art, history and ritual, and is one of the largest and most innovative Jewish museums in the American Midwest.

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