Join artists Steve Marcus and Inna Zhukovsky Zilber for the launch of two unique gallery exhibits at The Vilna. Hear from the artists about their work and process, and see the art both downstairs and upstairs in our historic sanctuary.
Steve Marcus created American Chutzpah specially for The Vilna in celebration of America's 250th year. Inspired by Jewish contributions, moments, and folk tales in American history, Marcus's hand-drawn works of art on paper are celebrations that comically illustrate some of the great Jewish American moments that shaped American culture, its democratic principles, and spirit.
Inna Zhukovsky Zilber brings you on a journey through Jewish memory with her series, Echoes of Home, exploring identity, cultural memory, and the feeling of belonging. Through ceramics, textiles, watercolor, and sculpture with found objects, we follow the artist's journey — born in Vilnius, Lithuania, raised in Israel, now based in the Greater Boston area — and the universal questions of displacement, discovery, and home that come with it.
Echoes of Home will be on display at The Vilna from June 28 - August 19. Learn more and view additional gallery hours here.
American Chutzpah will be on display at The Vilna from June 15, 2026 - July 15, 2027. Learn more and view additional gallery hours here.
Steve Marcus, American Chutzpah
Steve Marcus has received honors and awards from the American Society of Illustrators, and has several works in the art and American history collections in esteemed institutions, notably the the Oakland Museum of California, The Jewish Museum of Florida – FIU, The Yiddish Book Center, The Harvard Library, Yivo Institute for Jewish Research and The Miami-Dade PLS. He is acknowledged as one of the Lower East Side’s most culturally influential residents in, Jews: The People’s History of the Lower East Side and his work is written about by professors from Ohio State University, Tulane University, Florida State University, Harvard University and in scholarly books published by Duke University Press, The University of Texas Press and the Florida International University. Steve is a member of the American Guild of Judaic Art.
Inna Zhukovsky Zilber, Echoes of Home
Inna Zhukovsky Zilber is a textile and mixed media artist who creates wearable art and immersive installation experiences. She says...
I remember my mom taking me to the Kaziuki festival while growing up in Vilnius, Lithuania. In the grayness of everyday Soviet life it became a glimpse of joy - full of color and textures. Every year, the festival would gather tens of thousands of visitors and attract many craftsmen from across Lithuania and neighboring countries. Young artists full of dreams and free spirits would bring their art to the streets. For me, Kaziuki is an emotional connection to my childhood.
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved to draw. Everywhere, all the time. Give me a surface and I will paint on it. I began my professional training in Vilnius and continued in Israel in the early 90's after moved there with my parents.
From the muted linen colors of Baltic sea, the calm and raw nature of Lithuania to the the bright colors of blooming trees in Israel, the land of milk and honey, the world demanded to be recorded in black and white in my art work. Various shades of grey would bring me closer to understanding of the world around me. Naive seeming imagery that mimics the illustrations often found in children books became my new language.
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