SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS
Courtesy Photo — JFACT
Artist Bears Witness To Survivor’s Story By Bebeann Oh Special to Today Magazine
Bebeann Oh is a junior at Avon High School — she painted a portrait of Abby Weiner that was unveiled at the April dedication of a library in his honor —————————————————————————–—— The Abby Weiner Holocaust Memorial Library is a special section of Avon High’s Library Media Center — following is the speech Bebeann gave at the library dedication ceremony ——————————————————————————— AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER of the UNICEF and Amnesty International club, I have been able to create an honorary memorial for Abby Weiner with the help of my mentor Maurice Casas, an artist from the Farmington Valley Arts Center. 18
As an artist, I have always believed that art has the power, even greater than words, to connect people, tell stories and make change. But it wasn’t until I had the honor of creating a portrait for Abby Weiner, a man who experienced unimaginable tragedy during one of the darkest periods in history, that I truly understood just how meaningful and inspiring art can be. Over the course of nine months, I have had the opportunity to dedicate my time to create this portrait. I chose the medium of charcoal, in a monochrome palette. I believe that essence within the hues of black and white, stripping away color, allows the art to simply exist in a raw, honest form, focusing solely on Abby. As I drew, I found myself thinking
JUNE 2023 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE
about his experiences, about the horrors he witnessed, and about the resilience and courage he showed in the face of adversity. Over the hours I spent sketching and shading, I felt a sense of connection to Abby, despite never having the chance to meet him. I felt that I was bearing witness to his story, and that as an artist, I was to honor his memory and give an everlasting voice to his experiences. As I stand here today, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. This portrait possesses much more value than a simple piece of art. I would like to thank you all for allowing me to share my experiences of creating this portrait of Abby. I hope that after this portrait reveal and this event tonight, you too will feel a connection to his story. +