eIN Fine Arts Taking A Look At The Art Scene... Open-Door Studios SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS Crosscurrents Of Culture mong 135 artifacts found at the ar- chaeological site of the ancient city of Sepphoris and now -touring the Unit- d States are many that show an intercultural mix of the inhabitants — Jews, Romans and Christians. That mix will be stressed as the University of Michi- gan Museum of Art and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology in Ann Arbor present "Sepphoris in Galilee: Crosscurrents of Culture" Sept. 7-Dec. 14. "The groups of objects that high- light the intermingling of cultures in the city are what I especially like about this exhibit," said Elise Friedland, visiting assistant cu- rator, whose yearlong appoint- ment is specifically for this exhibit. "Eight bronze coins minted at Sepphoris (Zippori in Hebrew) have symbols that show the rela- tionship between the Jewish community and Rome as the con- trolling power. Mythological figures in bronze were found in a water reservoir under a Jewish house. The pottery in- cludes plates with crosses." The excavation of Sepphoris was begun in 1931 by Leroy Waterman Figure of the University of Michigan and of Prometheus, continues under the direction of mul- Roman Period. tiple Israeli and American univer- sities. "Sepphoris in Galilee," organized by the Ae North Carolina Museum of Art in consultation with site archaeologists and the Israel Antiq- uities Authority, features maps, videos, pho- tomurals and three-dimensional models of buildings to help viewers envision the ar- tifacts in their original context. "I come and go to Israel all the time and did doctoral research there," said Friedland, who has visited the museum at Zip- pori National Park and the satellite museums constructed to protect new dis- coveries such as mosaics. "Every time I go there, the place takes on a new appearance because more layers are peeled away," she said. Recent work at the site where the Mishnah was -= edited had the assistance of 34 university students from Michigan as part of the Michigan/Central Galilee ig Partnership 2000. `L' Erin Schwartz, a member of Temple Shir Shalom, was with a team that discovered 8 a doorway, walls, pottery ri3 and glass. Melissa Schaum- berg, a member of Congre- gation Shaarey Zedek, found six coins, an animal skele- ton and nails. Returning to the third century will be made more real with the use of actors trained and dressed to capture the people of the time. "There will be a peddler trying to sell amulets to visitors, a rabbi who 1 doesn't want people going to theater 'i- and many others trained for this liv- ing history experience," Friedland said. (See pamphlet inserted in this is- sue of The Jewish News for more in- formation.) Stephanie Zack: The Spirit Within, handmade paper and charcoal. Uncommon Art for Common Ground At the 23rd annual Common Ground "Art in the Park," more than 150 artists from 28 states and England will offer mixed media, paintings, basketry, glass, ceramics, fiber, photography, jewelry, metals and wood. Proceeds from the sale of juried works benefit Common Ground's 24-hour telephone crisis line and other community service programs including victim assistance. The art will be featured from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat- urday, Sept. 6, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun- day, Sept. 7, at Shain Park in downtown Birmingham. Other event attractions include a Pewabic Pottery tile-making Lou Zale: Later Than You Think, demonstration, children's art with photograph. hands-on painting and sculpting, silent auctions, continuous live en- tertainment and refreshments from local restaurants. (248) 456-8150. Diving In Fedora Horowitz contributed to this story. - " Lead Weight with Market Inscription, Roman Period (third century). "Sepphoris in Galilee: Cross- currents of Culture" runs Sept. 7- Dec. 14 at the University of Michigan Museum of Art and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. For • information, call (313) 764- 0395 or (313) 764 9304. - Artists working out of Pontiac studios are opening their doors for P-ART 97, the second annual tour that allows art enthusiasts to see works in progress as well as completed pieces. Paper pro Stephanie Zack is one of 30 individu- als showing the steps that lead to a fi- nal form. Among the newer hosts and hostesses are a video artist and a con- ceptual artist. This year's tour, which runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, also has some out-of-doors ambience — with many works placed throughout the city as part of Sculp- ture Pontiac '97. Free parking, shut- tle buses and maps make the experience all that more comfortable. The three centers for getting maps and shuttle information are at 7 North Saginaw, 40 W. Howard and 120 E. Wide Track. (248) 333-1810. Lyn Parker: Whale Tail, - mixed media. A fascination with the sea coupled with an early training in textile design have led to Lyn Parker's current exhibition: Sculptural Paintings — Sea-Life Forms. The three-dimensional pieces are abstract and contain natural and recycled objects with iridescent col- ors to suggest myriad ocean hues. While her work is displayed Sept. 5- 27 at the Uzelac Gallery, 7 N. Sagi- naw, Pontiac, viewers will see mottled metal, as if the object had aged and weathered naturally. Atop the found sea objects is rhoplex, a soft, milky medium that adds dimension. The artist will discuss her technique during an opening re- ception scheduled 7-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5. (248) 332-5257.