Karin Joy Sprecher

Silk scarves and Judaica using French Serti (using various resists), watercolor and Shibori techniques

Elizabeth Carter
48 Cottage Street
Newton Upper Falls, 02464
Home 617-244-7964
Studio 617-965-5631
KarinJoy.Sprecher@rcn.com

Karin Joy Sprecher received her B.A. in English, 1971, from California State College at Fullerton, CA, and an M.Ed., 1975, from Northeastern University, Boston, MA. For18 years she substitute taught (Grades K - 8) at Solomon Schechter Day School, Newton, MA, the first 13 of which, she was also Director of the Staff Day Students’ Program. During her last three years at Schechter, Karin was an Art Assistant for grades 4 - 8.

After 18 years in the classroom, but with no formal Art training, Karin took a workshop in Silk Painting. Four months later, she was commissioned to paint 35 scarves for her Temple Adult Choir. In 1997, Karin shifted her primary focus from scarves to Judaica.

Since April 1997, Karin has been commissioned to paint scarves, Tallitot, Challah & Matzah Covers, and several Chuppot. She is currently working towards Art Teacher Certification, having taken classes at MASS/Art in Boston and the DeCordova Museum School. Karin teaches silk painting to adults in her home studio, as well as teaching Adult Silk Painting classes in the Fall and Winter 2000 - 2001 and 2001-2002, at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC, Newton, MA. Karin taught a Painting Silk Scarves Workshop at Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY in July, 2000, In addition, Karin taught a mini-silk painting workshop at Temple Emanuel Sisterhood’s “Spirituality through the Arts”, April 2001, and another for the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework April 2002, at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC. In November 2001, Karin was “juried” in as a “Guest Artist” for the Holiday Season at the Depot Square Gallery, a 25-artist owned & operated collaborative, in Lexington, MA , and was invited to return for the 2002 and 2003 Holiday Seasons.

Karin’s “After the Flood…” Mizrach was exhibited in the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework’s “Pieces of Peace” Exhibition at Temple Emeth in Chestnut Hill, Nov 2002 – March 2003. On November 17th – 20th, 2002, her “Tree of Life” Bayn Gavrah Torah Cover (used to cover the Torah during the time period in between Torah readings, during which blessings are recited) and her “After the Flood … God’s Promise” Torah Mantle will be exhibited at the Women’s League Biennial International Convention, in Philadelphia. On November 25, 2002, Karin and 3 other Depot Square “Guest Artists” were featured on Boston Cable News for the Opening of the 2002 Holiday and Gift Sale. Karin participated in the 2002 “Crafts @ the Center” Show at Leventhal-Sidman JCC’s Starr Gallery, during the last two weeks of December, 2002. In addition to participating in a number of other shows this past year, the November issue of Newton Magazine, featured her Silk Scarf, “Iris”, in an article “Arts Outlook: Newton Talent on Display: Celebrate Newton with Crafts” about Newton’s 2nd Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair on December 7th.

Karin’s one-of-a-kind Tallitot are text-derived. She works directly with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah (both adults and teens). Karin and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah both read the Torah/Haftorah portion for 3 visual images: where those images coincide is Karin’s creative take-off point. (The recipient may also choose an alternate text/image). Karin’s goal is to have the text “come alive”, so that wrapping oneself in a Tallit truly envelopes the recipient in a “sacred space” for prayer.

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