Jars in Heaven Exhibition:
USA 2025
Never in my darkest of thoughts would I imagine waking up on a Saturday morning to alarming missile sirens and messages on my phone of friends running from terrorists, bullets, and RPGs. When October 7th, 2023, arrived, I was overcome by paralyzing fear and disbelief. I couldn't fathom the darkness and what was yet to happen in our small Mediterranean country of Israel. After three days, I heard the beginning of horrific experiences from friends who were survivors of the October 7th Nova massacre. After three days, I was flooded with heartbreaking news of murdered friends and friends who were announced as hostages, kidnapped by terrorists. After three days, a painting was made in my backyard on October 10th, 2023, between loud sirens and heavy tears.
✧₊⁺🕯- A painting in the rawest form of heart-shattering pain.
✧₊⁺🕯- A painting in the purest form to commemorate souls I never thought would wear angel wings so early in their lifetime.
✧₊⁺🕯- A painting in unity with many, of prayers for protection to those amid chaos, trauma, and war.
✧₊⁺🕯- A painting in hopes to light up our pleading prayers, crying for our stolen loved ones to be rescued home.
✧₊⁺🕯- A painting to the ones who danced, to the ones we love and to the ones we miss.
✧₊⁺🕯- A painting titled, "A candle lit forever, for you."
©Ronit Joy Holtz, A candle lit forever, for you, 2023, mezuzahs, candles, stone, glass, trinkets, vintage tin, spray paint and acrylic on panel, 122 x 88 cm.
Two exhibitions (one currently on show) with the painting, A candle lit forever, for you, alongside 48 other artworks, are traveling the United States to bring light, awareness, commemoration, and healing. The exhibition is titled, "Jars in Heaven."
1) The first exhibition occurred from February 18th to March 18th at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee:
https://www.leeuniversity.edu/news/ronit-joy-holtz-art-on-display-in-squires-library/
2) The second exhibition occurred from March 18th to April 18th at Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs, Georgia.
)%20(2).jpg)
Photographs of the opening receptions:
Victoria Phillips
Professor of Art, Lee University
"It was an honor to host the solo exhibition, entitled “Jars in Heaven” by Ronit Joy Holtz as part of our International Women’s Week celebration. Holtz’s work was well received by our students, faculty, and community as it bridges contemporary art, rich cultural history, and faith. Our students were encouraged to reflect on the role art has in storytelling, healing, and memory preservation during Holtz’s artist talk and classroom visits. Drawing from personal and historical narratives, Holtz was able to foster conversations about the power of art for dealing with grief and overcoming adversity aligning with Lee University’s commitment to cultivate intellectual curiosity, artistic exploration and cultural engagement.
Dr. Cynthia Phillips
Vice President for Academics, Emmanuel University
Ronit Joy Holtz shares not only her art, but her moving testimony of how things in life are reflected in the pieces displayed. Her Artist Talk expressed such a raw vulnerability, and as you view the art exhibit, you can tangibly feel the emotional ties. Her work is so moving, and I believe it also demonstrates the love of God throughout the pieces. Emmanuel University is proud to host this unique and talented artist, and to use it to connect to our students, the community, and region.
If there is interest in having this body of artwork, "Jars in Heaven" held in your community, campus or city, please reach out.
The artwork can be hung in an unconventional space, university/college campus, church, temple or community space. It will include an artist talk, artworks and prints for sale. 18% of the proceeds will be donated.
.jpg)