Growing Up Jewish: Art and Storytelling

The Paintings of Jacqueline Kott-Wolle and Family Photos from the Collections of the OJA

Wednesday, April 28, 2021 | 7:30 PM EST

Join us for an evening of family nostalgia with snapshots from the OJA collection and the bold and vibrant paintings of Toronto-born, Chicago-based artist Jacqueline Kott-Wolle. In conversation with art historian Sara Angel, Kott-Wolle will discuss how candid family photography informs her recent work and explores a personal yet quintessential brand of Jewish identity.

Jacqueline Kott-Wolle (b.1969) lives in Highland Park, IL where she paints full time.  In 2005, after moving to Chicago from Toronto with her family, Jacqueline fulfilled a long-time goal of developing her ability to paint by studying at The Art Center of Highland Park.  Using a fresh palette of color, Kott-Wolle currently paints in oils and focuses on capturing precious moments with her family and friends. Her most recent project, entitled “Growing Up Jewish – Art and Storytelling” is a series of 35 contemporary oil paintings and personal narratives exploring her North American brand of Jewish identity and how it evolved through five generations of her family. Her work has been exhibited in both group and solo exhibitions. Jacqueline’s works are in private collections throughout the United States, Canada and Israel.

Dr. Sara Angel is the Founder, Executive Director, and Publisher of the Art Canada Institute at the University of Toronto. An expert on Nazi-era art restitution and a recognized authority on visual culture, she writes for publications including Maclean’s, Canadian Art, The Walrus, and The Globe and Mail to make the world of art accessible to a broad audience. She has had an extensive career in arts journalism including being editor-in-chief of Chatelaine, a commentator for CBC television’s On the Arts, an editor for Saturday Night, and a columnist for The National Post. Angel has been a guest lecturer at institutions including Harvard University, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Israel Museum. She lives in Toronto with her husband and three children.

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