International artist Rita Blitt and the Jewish Community of Greater Kansas City, The J, have a deeply-rooted connection.
It started as a child. Growing up Jewish in Kansas City, Blitt attended plays, meetings and children’s groups at The J. At one time, her mother, who devoted her time to Jewish humanitarian causes, even worked there.
“The Jewish Community Center was always just there, in the background, of my life,” said Blitt.
And as an adult, Blitt’s relationship with The J grew even stronger.
Her husband Irwin Blitt helped secure the land The J now calls home and was significant in the development of the Jewish Community Campus. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}Blitt’s wall sculpture, “My Joyous Jewish Star,” hangs in the lobby of the Campus — a daily reminder of her husband’s gift. Blitt’s sister, Shirley White, spearheaded the creation of the Lewis and Shirley White Theatre.
“I feel so personally connected and proud of the present home of The J,” said Blitt.
Now Blitt is returning to The J for a special event, “Harnessed Love: Works by Rita Blitt” on Wednesday, June 3.
The evening begins with a tour of the exhibition at 7 p.m. in the Galleria of the Jewish Community Campus. At 7:30 p.m., The J will present “Caught in Paint,” a film documenting the collaboration between Blitt and acclaimed choreographer David Parsons, followed by a discussion with both Blitt and Parsons.
This event is free and open to the community.
“In this exhibit, we are sharing favorite works from different periods of my life and my pleasure in working with various materials,” said Blitt. “When my friend dancer and choreographer David Parsons heard about this exhibition, he said, ‘I want to be there.’ I am happy that I will share the stage at my opening not only with David, who will describe his new dance, but also with a film made by my granddaughter, Dorianna Blitt.”
Blitt is an international award-winning painter, sculptor and filmmaker who has been featured in more than 70 solo exhibitions in the United States, Israel and Singapore and participated in group exhibitions in Spain, Germany and Italy.
In addition to her piece at The J, Blitt’s paintings, works on paper and sculptures can be found across the Kansas City metro area, including the Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Briarwood Elementary School in Prairie Village, Lakewood Medical Center in Lee’s Summit, University of Kansas Medical and Cancer Centers in Kansas City, Kansas, and the Samuel Rodgers Health Care Clinic in Kansas City.
Passionate about sharing her works with the public, Blitt oversees Art BLITTz, an initiative designed to share her work — from one piece to entire collections — with nonprofit organizations in need of art to beautify and enliven their spaces. To be eligible, program applicants need only to be a 501(c)3 organization and have a secure, appropriate space to display art. Rita Blitt Inc. works with each agency to select a meaningful and exciting collection to be treasured for years to come.
“We are honored to exhibit the work of one whose life-affirming works have been seen throughout the world,” said Jill Maidhof, director of Jewish Life and Learning at The J. “Rita and her family have been longtime and generous supporters of our community, and now we have the opportunity to enjoy another precious gift: her vision and incredible talent.”
“Harnessed Love” will be on exhibition until Aug. 15. For more information, contact Maidhof at 913-327-8077.{/mprestriction}