OUR COMMUNITY
“D
onating a piece of artwork
each year for the ORT
auction has always been
a creative artistic challenge,
” says Lisa
Spindler, a veteran contributing artist of
ORT and the City. “The most rewarding
and important part is knowing that the
money raised from this auction is going
to provide opportunities for students
in great need of support to follow their
education. Through the piece I created
this year, I hope to inspire creativity and
wonder and help in contributing to this
important cause.
”
This year’s ORT and the City theme is
“
Art Your Heart Out.
” Each participating
artist was encouraged to “showcase their
unique artistic abilities in the medium
that best represents their work,
” according
to Nicole Miller, ORT Michigan senior
director. “We asked them to show us what
you do best.
”
ORT and the City became an annual
ORT Michigan fundraiser in 2015. This
year’s event marks the first return to an
in-person springtime event since the
onset of the pandemic. ORT and the City
will take place on Wednesday, May 10,
at Detroit’s Eastern Market in Shed 5.
The auction will be in-person as well as
online for a two-hour window between
6:30-8:30 p.m. In addition to the chance
to procure great art and meet the artists,
attendees will enjoy an array of delicious
food and drinks, including a whiskey tast-
ing provided and curated by the Detroit
Distillery. Proceeds support ORT’s work
empowering young people and strength-
ening communities worldwide through
education.
Artist Lisa Spindler is known for her
photography. Her work has graced maga-
zine covers and galleries. She is sponsored
by artist patrons Karen and Gary Saretsky.
Karen Saretsky is a past co-chair of ORT
and the City and active on the event plan-
ning committee. “We love Lisa’s photog-
raphy and are proud owners of several of
her works,
” she said. “We also admire Lisa
for her active support of other artists in
the community. This ties into the work of
ORT as a community builder.
”
Nicole Eisenberg, event founder and
long-time member of the ORT and the
City planning committee, says her driving
force is the pursuit of equality. Eisenberg
adds that Judaism and the pursuit of
equality go hand in hand.
Several new artists are participating in
this year’s ORT and the City, including
Jamie Wineman. He is presented by artist
patrons Catherine and Nathan Forbes.
Wineman, also known as WolfGangGang,
is a visual and musical artist from
Detroit, now living in Winnetka, Illinois.
Wineman, a successful and prolific music
performer and producer, began painting
during the pandemic.
Sharing a preview of his piece for this
year’s event, Wineman explains, “My
piece, Fishing for Compliments, is a tribute
to my late father and the time we spent
fishing Lake Michigan via our vacation
home in Charlevoix. My father was a hero
to me and a legend to many, including my
cousins Nathan and Cathy Forbes who
sponsored this piece for ORT Michigan’s
event.
”
The event also includes a raffle, with
prizes including a $5,000 merchandise
credit toward a shopping day of luxury
at Neiman Marcus. Raffle tickets start at
$50, and the winner does not need to be
present to win.
ORT America and Huntington, the
presenting sponsor for the third year,
invite everyone to come together and
enjoy ORT and the City to support ORT
efforts worldwide. An online preview of
the artwork is available now at https://
ortamerica.org/regions/michigan-region/
events/ortandthecity, where you’ll find
everything you need to know about the
event.
ORT and the City event is back live in The D May 10.
Art Your Heart Out
YEVGENIYA GAZMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
SUB DEPARTMENT
Jamie Wineman
28 | MAY 4 • 2023
Lisa Spindler