Just ART

June, 2020

The Greenspon Center's Just ART program celebrates a Just ARTist who uses their art, their voice, and/or their personal time to make a positive difference in our community.

This month we are highlighting artist Roni Kasten Fishkin and showcasing her pottery and mixed-media collages.

Any purchase you make will support the Just ARTist and 25% of the profits will go to the Greenspon Center, advancing our mission of social justice advocacy.

Celebrating the Just ARTist

Roni Kasten Fishkin of The Blossoming Potter and More

Please talk about your passion for justice...

Roni Kasten Fishkin

Creativity is a kind of self-care for me. While others might find meditation, exercise or bread baking helpful, I find it therapeutic to be productive and stretch my creative ability.

It’s hard for me to consider myself an “artist” (fun fact: I almost failed a studio drawing class in college where my nudes barely resembled humans) because I can’t produce traditional drawings or paintings. Instead, I love mixed media, collages, and ceramics. Those mediums also allow me some flexibility - a space where there is no such thing as perfect. And, for those of you that know me...I am far from a perfectionist. Instead, my work, just like me, is slightly imperfect. Maybe its a wobble or a warp or whatever- - but it is undoubtedly one of a kind.

The opportunity to be featured in Just Art is very flattering. I don't usually showcase my handmade work and get nervous about it. But the timing was “beshert” - fortuitous. Just as the world around us became more and more committed to an emphasis on social justice, I have been asked to think about what is really important to me and share it with others.

I have always considered myself committed to tikkum olam and I have always advocated for progressive, Jewish and community causes. But the current times call for something even more proactive and giving 25% of any sales through this program to the Stan Greenspon Center for Peace and Social Justice comes at a perfect time. Beshert. I know that the Center works on issues that are important to me - and inspires others to have the courage to do the hard work of social justice. If you are not familiar with them...I urge you to read more about them and their mission.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Maya Angelou quote- “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better” It reminds me to think about my social action participation as a journey. One that requires both education, listening and reflection...as well as action.