Celebrate the Artistic Legacy of Harold Zisla
Fall Art Exhibition Opening at the Jewish Federation through December 13
The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley in South Bend is proud to announce the opening of its fall art exhibition, “Harold Zisla: Artistic Explorations,” from now until December 13, 2024. This exhibition showcases a selection of Harold Zisla’s paintings from the permanent collections of the South Bend Museum of Art, Indiana University South Bend’s Raclin School of the Arts, Temple Beth-El in South Bend, and several private collectors. The exhibit spans Zisla’s prolific career from the 1950s until shortly before his passing in 2016 at the age of 90. It offers a comprehensive look at his artistic evolution from realistic portraiture to abstract imagery.
Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with Zisla’s work, renowned for its creativity, intensity, complexity, and emotional depth. The exhibit provides a unique glimpse into the artist’s development and invites viewers to experience the essence of Harold Zisla through his art.
“The South Bend Jewish community was an essential part of my parents’ lives, beginning when Harold and Doreen moved to the area in 1951, up until my mother died in 2021,” says Paul Zisla, Harold’s son. “The Jewish Federation’s sponsorship of this exhibition, honoring Harold’s contributions to the artistic life of the community, holds deep significance. Much the same can be said about the participation and support of the South Bend Museum of Art and Indiana University South Bend.”
The exhibition will be open to the public from September 16 through December 13, 2024, Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM, at the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, located at 3202 Shalom Way in South Bend. The opening celebration will take place on Sunday, September 15, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and will feature remarks by Harold’s son, Paul Zisla.
We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Harold Zisla’s extraordinary artistic legacy. Whether you knew Harold personally or are discovering his work for the first time, this exhibit offers a profound opportunity to connect with his art and his enduring impact on the community.
About Harold Zisla
Harold Zisla was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He was educated at the Cleveland Museum of Art; Purdue University; University of Notre Dame; received a diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a major in painting; and a B.S. in Art Education and an M.A. in Art History from Case-Western Reserve University.
After school Harold worked as an industrial designer before becoming the Executive Director of the South Bend Art Center in South Bend, Indiana. He left the Art Center to become Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at Indiana University at South Bend (IUSB). At IUSB he was appointed the first Chairman of the Fine Arts Department; received the All-University Teaching Award (Amoco Foundation Award), was the first Lundquist Faculty Fellow and became a Professor of Fine Arts.
“I seek the unobtrusive ‘smally’ precious. Not the flamboyantly spectacular. Yes, the complexly ambiguous, the intimate, the richly varied in shapes, forms, vectors of directions. Modest in silent chromatic effects. ‘Food’ for lengthy contemplation and/or meditation.” Harold Zisla, 2015
