Artist, Performer, Singer, Writer, Curator, Educator, and… Your Ally!

Delving into her creativity propelled Bara Sapir to create a body of art and a number of workshops and programs that she taught at universities, retreat centers, art centers, and galleries. Her multidisciplinary approach is informed by reading texts, meditation, and immersing into the zone. She is an illustrator and designer of interactive children’s exhibits for New York City museums who shows her work in galleries and teaches domestically and abroad. She holds Master’s degrees from the Jewish Theological Seminary (Education) and the University of Michigan (Art History and a BFA in Fine Arts) and certifications in hypnotism, Neuro-linguistic Programming, Integrated Life Coaching, counseling, and Reiki.

She sees creative expression as a potent process of staying present in the moment. She creates rituals, performance art, music, and artistic methods that encourage participants to experience a personal and communal journey. She was art director for Zeek: A Jewish Journal of Thought and Culture, for eight years.

Sapir draws from academic, ecumenical, and art history sources to innovate effective workshops and private, creative coaching sessions designed to develop skills, break through barriers, and facilitate a birthing of ones spirituality through creative expression. Her work is eclectic, whereby a participant may be guided through literature and text study, immerse in sound or movement, and journal or engage in a community council, to stir one’s expression. Sapir’s programs are distinguished by interdisciplinary mediums, which celebrate multiple learning styles and easily adapt to intergenerational and/or varying age groups. She enjoys collaborative teaching experiences with other experts in various fields.

Samples of workshops:

Bara is commissioned as artist in residence or through one-off progams and designs creative experiences based on the mission of the group or organization.

Jewish calendar and cycles: intentional Channukah and menorah making, Elul journey, standing again at Sinai (Shavout), shadows and masks (Purim) and Passover altars
image of God
primary relationships in Torah
visual/musical Midrash
community and civic art projects
currating gallery exhibits
arts events and festival production
Ketubah design
upleveling manifestation: vision boards
ritual and life cycle consultation and events (ie. births, coming of age, weddings, end-of-life transitions, memorial services)
sound mikvahs
creative journaling

Reviews:

“Bara Sapir delivers a refreshing new outlook on the direction of Jewish Art.”

The Blueprint, NY

“Sapir soon had our NY Rosh Chodesh group, a cohort of established NYC women professionals, on the floor painting a personal segment of a river-cum-tallis, singing and sharing about the flow of our lives, tears and hopes. In one session, she shifted the realm of possibility for the group from nice to spice. She seemed to do this with power and humility, in the kind of effortless way a true professional connected at the level of soul can offer… she is the best in fusion music; she is the future fusion leadership—a remarkable meld of talent, spirit and vision…”

Rabbi Goldie Milgram, Reclaiming Judaism

“Sapir’s art practice might be characterized as “trendy,” but it would be more accurate to characterize it as “timely.” Her work has a timeliness that not only effectively adds needed knowledge but seeks knowledge with honesty. Whether “trendy” or “timely,” I am convinced that both her work and her teaching has a trustworthiness and integrity which is exemplary.”

Dr. Victor Miesel, University of Michigan

“Sapir helped me to realize that art is not just drawing what you see in front of you… I gained a much better understanding of my own artistic abilities along with a more comprehensive understanding of myself.”

-University Student, NJ

“Bara, your visit to Temple Israel was enthusiastically received. My congregants were impressed by your preparation, your creativity, your passion, your spirituality, and your willingness to share personal
aspects of your spiritual journey along with insights in the creative process of a Jewish artist. I think you’ve really opened up some hearts and minds here at Temple Israel, and caused some people to think about Jewish creativity and spirituality in new and exciting ways. I hope we can have you back someday for a hands-on teaching workshop—I think that would be a great next step for us.”

-Temple Israel

“I was impressed with how easily the group was able to embrace their own creative project. We were proud and eager to show what we had made, and I learned a great deal about each person’s heartfelt values that are normally hard to uncover. Thank you!”

-Jean Fitzgerald, Mercy Home, Chicago Illinois

“It was the most engaging community night we’ve had yet.”