A TOTE-LLY FENTSTER FUNDRAISER

FENTSTER salvaged tote bags destined for the dump & invited past exhibiting artists and creative friends to upcycle them into one-of-a-kind portable, personal works of art.

(1) & by Aya Rosen
*SOLD*

I'm more of a worrier than a warrior. But sometimes, if I'm pressed to a corner, I wish I was more of a bad ass.

FENTSTER is for everyone - accessible day and night year round from the sidewalk. Even during lockdowns, we kept bringing art to the public. Now, for the first time - we’re turning to everyone in our community to support the future of FENTSTER. Each contribution makes an impact!

THERE ARE 27 UNIQUE DESIGNS FEATURED HERE!!

Keep scrolling to discover them all.

(2) Your inside is made of flowers by Aya Rosen *SOLD*

This is about our inner emotions and vulnerabilities are what makes us beautiful and unique.

(3) “I am still there” by Bernice Eisenstein *SOLD*

A portrait in gouache of Chava Rosenfarb (1923 - 2011). Born in Lodz, Poland. Rosenfarb came to Montreal in 1950 after surviving the Holocaust. Author of Yiddish poetry and novels, Rosenfarb is recognized as one of the most important Yiddish writers post-World War II.

MEET THE ARTISTS

With a contribution to FENTSTER, one BAG can tote-lly be yours as a thank you gift!

Or, choose from a limited edition waterbottle or window sticker inspired by FENTSTER exhibitions.

(4) Stay Soft by Aya Rosen *SOLD*

I started working on this bag the day of that Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th. It's better to be a worrier, a soft person that cares about people, than a warrior, a hardened person who can kill others.

“FENTSTER is a big idea in a small space, exquisitely curated by Evelyn Tauben who curates this window with exceptional sensitivity, depth, and imagination. ‘You don’t have to be big to be beautiful’ is a fitting description for this unusual ‘gallery.’ Totally accessible, always open, FENTSTER literally showcases Jewish values and meaning through art. A treasure in Toronto’s historic Jewish neighbourhood.”

— Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, leading international scholar & curator

(5) Walls Become Windows by Evan Tapper *SOLD*

This bag shares what FENTSTER is all about. FENTSTER is a space of openness, that invites us to look, think, and connect. In this time of walls and isolation, FENTSTER embodies the message of tikkun olam (mending of the world).

(6) Come Fly Away by Meichen Waxer ***SOLD***

This bag was a way for me to practice embroidering butterflies which will fly their way into my FENTSTER exhibition in May 2024, as well to think of what the lands of Northern Ontario look like for the butterflies. The secret dragonfly on the bag is a nod to the dragonfly that spent so much time with me at the graveside of my great great grandmother in Krugerdorf.

(6) Reverse of Come Fly Away ***SOLD***

Check out the elaborate reserve side of Meichen Waxer’s tote with a hidden detail… look closely!

FENTSTER was founded almost 8 years ago.

In that time, we have:

Presented over 20 exhibitions of new work created just for our window or exhibited publicly for the first time ever
Worked with over 50 artists from Toronto, Montreal, New York, Pittsburgh and even Warsaw
Provided many artists with their first exhibition or first public exhibition
Been featured in over 60 articles or interviews including in the Toronto Star, Canadian Art Magazine, CBC radio and OMNI Television’s Focus Mandarin

CONTRIBUTE TODAY

(7) Throwback Tote Bag by Lynne Heller *SOLD*

Making this bag brought me back to my early years when I was learning everything to do with textiles, sewing and myriad knotting techniques. Now I'm re-addicted to macrame.

Lynne Heller’s Throwback Tote bag is two bags in one! This beautiful macramé tote with handles constructed from the original tote…. and a handmade insert bag as well! Use them separately or together.

(8) Good Friends by Benny Ferdman *SOLD*

CONTRIBUTE TODAY!

ALL THE TOTE BAGS ARE NOW ON VIEW AT FENTSTER

Come by day or night to see them in person!

Join us in bringing art connected to the Jewish experience to the street!

Keep checking back… new tote bags will continue to be added through out Chanukah!!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ORDER FORM & MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TODAY

CLICK HERE TO MEET THE ARTISTS WHO CREATED THIS TOTE-LLY AWESOME TOTES!

(9) The Mermaid and Magical Mollusk by Benny Ferdman
*SOLD*

(10) Mesopotamia by Rochelle Rubinstein *SOLD*

Green ink was used to evoke the world of nature. The block printed image is an aerial view of one of the first documented communities in Mesopotamia.

(11) Ring That Bell by Rochelle Rubinstein

I block printed a bell and sewed it on the tote bag to add a sense of urgency.

(12) What Will Remain by Robert Davidovitz *SOLD*

This bag references the exhibition "WHAT WILL REMAIN” that I presented at FENTSTER in 2020, which featured a stained glass sculpture informed by a small colourful 1935 painting Marc Chagall made upon visiting the private Vilna synagogue of an influential 18th century Rabbi known as the Gaon (genius) of Vilna. This tote bag once again reinterprets the colourful windows seen in Chagall’s canvas of the synagogue that was later destroyed during the war; only this time focuses strictly on the design of the windows printed in inverted black and white. I combined two totes together so this design features two large compartments and a smaller central pocket!

FENTSTER has been a small but powerful and very necessary beacon of light for Jewish artists in the city, a rare gem for Toronto!
~ emerging artist, Mariel J. Zinman

(13) A Stitch in Time by Ida Ferdman *SOLD*

Embroidery has been passed down through the women in my family for generations. My mother’s Aunt Mindel taught her and my mother passed it to me. Sadly, Mindel was killed by the Nazis. I dedicate all my embroidery to Mindel, and I think of her each time I lift needle and thread. I also teach embroidery to carry forward the tradition. My piece is a contemporary design based on 17th century Jacobean embroidery. The main idea behind this creation is whimsy and otherworldliness that carry me away from the world into the imagination. (Detail of the embroidery shown here)

(14) Hearts on Fire by Gil Segev *SOLD*

The heart motifs on this bag were cross-stitched on shimmering white aida fabric. The pattern is inspired by quilts. Each heart has a slightly different pattern in complementary colours. I chose this design at this time to show that the Jewish community is like a tapestry or a quilt, made up of different but similar souls. *The custom pocket was created by Noe Koffman.*

(15) Stone & Stone by Rob Shostak *SOLD*

Materials: Concrete, Cotton Tote Bag. The weight of its contents seem to stretch the vessel to its limit, but are unknown to all but who carries them.

what are we raising funds for?

FENTSTER operates as a professional public gallery. We always pay artist fees and have every exhibition documented. We organize related public programs and engage even more artists in the community through those events. In addition to these ongoing expenses, FENTSTER plans to finally invest in obtaining charitable status, which will allow us to grow our offerings and access more funding opportunities. Thank you for helping us realize all these goals and join us in bringing contemporary art connected to the Jewish experience to Toronto and beyond!

CONTRIBUTE TODAY!

(16) Window = FENTSTER by Evelyn Tauben

In keeping with the upcycling theme of this whole project, I used colourful scraps of fabric already on hand and appropriated the “W” from the original bag to share that “window” is the translation of the Yiddish word, “fentster”. The window has become such a powerful symbol for everything FENTSTER takes on - public, transparent, vulnerable and accessible.

(17) The Golden Tote by Sam Mogelonsky
*SOLD*

When I was asked to create this bag, I instantly thought about the rolls of off cut sequined materials I had in my studio. I had purchased them years ago and still hadn't thought of a use for it. I hand sewed it onto the bag while re-watching two of my favorite movies (*Mean Girls* and *Bridesmaid*, if you must know). This tote is what we all need to add some sparkle to our daily chores - take it to the grocery store and feel magical while buying milk. The Golden Tote will bring light to your day!

(18) Button Me Up by Sara Tauben *SOLD*

Both of my bags for FENTSTER speak to my interior design practice, which has been heavily influenced by Japanese aesthetic. Both totes are made out of scraps of Japanese indigo fabrics. This one has a custom exterior pocket and special closure.

(19) Put a Bow on It by Sara Tauben *SOLD*

The second custom design by Tauben (yes, FENTSTER curator’s very talented mother!) has a handy exterior pocket made of Japanese indigo fabric with a special tie closure that comes together into a handsome bow!

(20) all of us by Sarah Katz *SOLD*

Every morning at the end of prayers, I sing "ahava raba ahavtanu" to remind myself of what we are all made of (i.e., love).

(21) **In my dream I was flying** by Yaara Eshet *SOLD*

The ultimate wish for freedom, the desire to detach from gravity and move away from contemporary reality, to float in space away from the noises of life

MAKES A FANTASTIC GIFT!

If you’re selecting a tote as a tote-lly unique Chanukah, birthday, anniversary or holiday gift - we’ll create a custom digital card to present to your special someone as an IOU. The bags will be on view at FENTSTER through January, at which point we’ll schedule pick up days or make other drop off / shipping arrangements with you.

(22) Push the Sky by Yaara Eshet

The attempt to escape from the unrelenting sense of heaviness, to try to disappear into fantasy, into an imagined and naive world.

(23) A Better Golem by Zack Rosen

Golems are the mythological protectors of Jewish people, though they often end up causing as much trouble as they prevent. In these scary times, I found the idea appealing of a better golem - a golem that would keep us safe.

(25) The Olive Branch by Mariel J. Zinman *SOLD*

The ancient olive branch emerges as a poignant symbol of peace amid adversity. Despite a tumultuous history, the olive tree - resilient and enduring - has long been a common cultural emblem. The olive branch extends beyond political boundaries, offering a common ground for all. Evoking images of strolling through olive fields and sharing in joyous harvests, it signifies shared heritage and the potential for coexistence. As a universal emblem of tranquility, the olive branch serves as a reminder that amidst discord that there exists the possibility of fostering unity and understanding. May it symbolize the hope for reconciliation in the face of adversity. Together, through intertwined memories and a commitment to peace, we can be stronger.

MATCHING CHALLENGE in support of a more just society

An anonymous donor has generously agreed to match all funds raised through the TOTElly FENTSTER Fundraiser with a contribution to Heart to Heart, a Canadian organization that works with Palestinian and Jewish youth from Israel to equip them with skills to work in solidarity across lines of difference to create more just and inclusive societies. Heart to Heart has been running since 2011. The program starts with a summer camp experience in Canada and continues back home with ongoing alumni and family programming. View the summer 2023 slideshow and a feature on CBC’s The National.

Thank you for your generous support of FENTSTER!

Click the button below for the order form and make a contribution today.

*Please note: no tax receipts will be issued. FENTSTER does not currently have charitable status.

CONTRIBUTE TODAY!

Photos: Jake Koffman Photography

Many thanks to Rob Davidovitz and Revital Weiss for installation support