Posted on 04/11/23
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 11, 2023 - Today we had the honor of going to Sinai Hospital for the dedication ceremony of the mural that BZ made as part of his bar Mitzvah celebration. It is now hanging in its permanent home on the pediatric wing, along with a plaque detailing the story behind the mural, as depicted below:
The Story Behind the Mural
Artist Statement by BZ Openden (Age 13)
November, 2021
From a young age, I wanted to celebrate my Bar Mitzvah (the Jewish celebration of coming-of-age upon turning 13) by bringing joy to children in the hospital. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my vision of having a party in the hospital was not an option. We decided to join forces with Chai Lifeline, a volunteer organization that brings joy to seriously ill children and their families, to create a piece of art that would represent our collaboration. I worked with my art teacher, Miss Alli Fisher from Ohr Chadash Academy, and Baltimore ClayWorks to come up with a project that would symbolize our separate but connected existence during the pandemic.
On the day of the event, children from Chai Lifeline, along with some of my family and friends, gathered under a large tent to make art together. Baltimore ClayWorks instructors guided us with techniques to make colorful, abstract art using the clay squares while I focused on the letters that would form the center of the mural. Over the following weeks, I worked with Baltimore ClayWorks to glaze, fire, assemble, glue and grout all of the squares and complete the mural.
The reason why I chose to represent the Shema on the mural is because it is a saying that unites all people. It means: Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our Gd, the Lord is One. During a pandemic, when we experienced a physical separation from one another, we still had our faith and humanity to keep us connected to one another. I felt this connection strongly the day we met with the children of Chai Lifeline to create our unique piece of art. It will forever symbolize our individual, yet connected existence during the year of my Bar Mitzvah. Although we had to be creative to find a way to connect, it was that joint effort that resulted in a unique tapestry of color and shape. All of our individual pieces united to form a beautiful piece of art!
