ART CAN HEAL AND INSPIRE
In Tekoa, a community of native-born Israelis, immigrants, religious and secular, art has been the catalyst for healing from horrific terrorist attacks and the turmoil of the current war. The people of Tekoa have embraced art as their source of resilience, hope, and livelihood.
The Madeleine Greenwald Art Center, opened five years ago, is truly a gem, with an art gallery, gift shop, artists’ studios, and spaces for live performances. Thanks to CFOIC Heartland donors’ generous support, the art center successfully hosted art exhibits for two years, and recently secured government recognition with the promise of ongoing support for regular art exhibits. During the current war, the Tekoa Art Center has become a place of refuge—where families gather, participate in creative workshops, and nurture the bonds that anchor them through uncertain times.
In order to accommodate the growing number of visitors and the full range of art exhibits, there is a desperate need to repair and refurbish the existing space. The doors are falling apart, the ceiling and floor should be replaced, and the electrical infrastructure needs an upgrade. In addition, funds are needed to complete the development of the outdoor area, including the construction of a pergola.
The Tekoa Art Center recently launched an annual Outstanding Artist Award to promote local young artists, which needs annual funding to sustain it.
- FOUNDED: 1977
- LOCATION: Gush Etzion, Judea
- BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Birthplace of Amos the Prophet
- GEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Located in the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea
- POPULATION: 3,500
Tekoa needs your help to take the Madeleine Greenwald Art Center to the next level. With your help, it will continue to provide a unique venue for local and visiting artists to create, collaborate, and share their pioneering and Israeli experiences. Your support can significantly impact the inspiring community of Tekoa by fostering unity, strength, and resilience in their ancestral land.