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