 SEPTEMBER 3 • 2020 | 35

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Arts&Life

festivals

Israeli artist to participate
in this year’
s Arts, Beats &
Eats festival.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I

sraeli artist Yoram Gal is among some 20 artists participating onsite in this year’
s 
Arts, Beats & Eats, the annual festival currently diverging from its usual format 
because of COVID-19. The Labor Day Weekend — and extended — schedule has 
only limited in-person outdoor activities based in Royal Oak, mixed with lots of digi-
tal presentations.
Gal, who has been coming to Michigan for many years to show his paintings at dif-
ferent summer art fairs, is introducing 10 large works that span Israeli locales and per-
sonal outlooks. Among his new pieces are “David’
s City Jerusalem,
” “Galilee Poppies” 
and “The World.
”
As part of Art by Appointment, taking place 
Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6, at the Royal Oak 
Farmers Market, Gal will schedule 75-minute 
appointments to discuss the paintings, which 
also can be seen online. Tickets to meet with 
any of the multi-media artists are $5. 
“My art evolves all the time,
” said Gal, who 
also will be showing an image adapted from 
visions appearing in a disturbing pandemic 
dream. “I am using more diverse materials 
because I don’
t like being bored. I try new 
styles and techniques and allow myself free-
dom with subject matter.
“I have a following of collectors in 40 coun-
tries, and the interaction with them influences 
the work. More and more portraits of mine and of patrons who commission theirs are 
happening.
”
Gal, who has felt safe with masks and social distancing during recent professional 
travels and will do so for the Michigan event, said experiencing the deserted airports 
disturbed him. Although booked by four other United States festivals, he is disap-
pointed that three have been converted to totally digital events.
Jon Witz, event producer for Arts, Beats & Eats, has been working with health offi-
cials in Oakland County to maintain appropriate conditions.
“We found a safe way to bring people together in a fun, physically distanced way 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YORAM GAL

Goes On

The
Beat

Tree of 
Life

Old Jaffa

Jerusalem

Yoram
Gal

“My art evolves
all the time. I 
am using more 
diverse materials 
because I don’t 
like being bored.”

— YORAM GAL

