The “Chassidus in Color” art competition successfully concluded at The Besht and Betzalel Art Gallery, with artists from across five continents showcasing their interpretations of Chassidic teachings through over 160 submissions.
The first-ever “Chassidus in Color” art contest, an innovative endeavor to visually express Chassidic teachings, culminated in a vibrant gathering at The Besht on the evening of the winners’ announcement. The contest, hosted on Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s ChassidusApplied.com in conjunction with COLlive.com, was organized by Evocative Jewish Art.
First Place—Shimshon Gansburg
Judges Rabbi Yossi Paltiel, Rabbi Mendel Wolf, Michoel Muchnik, JLI’s Art Director Mush Kanner, and artist Estee Klein oversaw the contest. As the event progressed, the energy in the room intensified, culminating in the announcement of the winners, which was met with thunderous applause. The Professional Tier saw Shimshon Gansburg clinching first place with his digital concept art titled “Eloikus Bepshitus!” based on the Maamer “Va’yehi Bayom Hashmini.” His piece featured vibrant colors and symbolic elements to portray the pre-tzimtzum state of existence.
As Rabbi Yossi Paltiel put it, “I’m very happy this project worked out, and I would imagine this will become a yearly thing.”
For him and many participants, the contest was not just a celebration of artistic achievement; it evidenced the beginnings of a new platform for expressing the timeless teachings of Torah and Chassidus through art.
Adapted from COLlive
