Windows to the Soul: A Painted Glass Workshop
What do we see in ourselves and our histories when we hold them up to the light?
In 1962, celebrated Jewish painter Marc Chagall’s 12 Tribe Windows were installed in the Abbell Synagogue at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, each arched stained-glass window was painted by Chagall to represent one of Jacob’s 12 sons and what their respective tribe symbolizes.
In this FREE workshop with Merav Epstein, we’ll be emulating Chagall’s process to make mini tribe windows to represent ourselves or our loved ones. This workshop will start with a short presentation on Chagall’s practice as a painter and how he moved into stained glass, as well as a quick history on stained glass within Judaism and in Montreal. Participants will then brainstorm and sketch out ideas for what their own “tribe” window will look like, what aspects they wish to represent, before diving in on painting their own window (6″ x 8″).
No prior painting or stained glass experience is required. All materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring along any objects of importance to them that they may want to depict in their window. Come solo or with friends or family. All identities and cultures are welcome to join!
Admission is free but capacity is limited, so early registration is strongly recommended. Click here to reserve your spot.
Merav Epstein is a multidisciplinary artist based in Montreal. She received a BFA in Film Animation from Concordia University in 2021, and has work experience in animation as a Production Coordinator at DNEG Animation Studio, and has animated multiple freelance music videos for artists in Canada and the United States. While her work experience is more animation-based, Merav’s artistic practice centres upon stained glass and fibre arts (knitting, crochet, and needle felting), and their occasional intersection and interaction with animation. Merav’s professional background in the fast-paced and technological environments of animation have drawn her closer to the slowness, intentionality, and materiality required of fibre arts and stained glass as mediums. She is currently a recipient of the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s Microgrant Program.
Accessibility: Please note that the upper floors of our building are currently not accessible to visitors with limited mobility. This workshop will take place on the second floor.
This event is a part of the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s 2026 Microgrant Program for Creative or Cultural Exploration, made possible with support by the Azrieli Foundation, the Betty Averbach Foundation, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and CANVAS.