By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
The La Mesa Arts Academy library hosted the Master Arts Fireside Gallery’s Welcome to Flight exhibit on Thursday, April 23. “Flight” explored the many ways of flying—from airplanes and kites to birds.
The first exhibit invited visitors to see the world from an airplane window, capturing wondrous and awe-inspiring views from above. Students studied paintings by Leslie Wayne, a contemporary artist based in New York City, and created their own porthole-inspired scenes as viewed through a Boeing 737 window.
Master student Gabe Laycock used colored pencils and outlining pen in a piece titled The Sandias, which is a mountain and desert area near Albuquerque, New Mexico. This plane view reminded me of what it might look like flying over Israel’s Negev, with desert landscapes stretching below and clouds drifting by.
Master student Ellie Colt also used colored pencils and outlining pen for a work titled Clouds. This view captured the magic of being high above the clouds, where the sun appears so close.
In Judaism, many recite Tefilat HaDerech, the Traveler’s Prayer, when departing on a journey, including before a flight. The timing can vary depending on whether one is still within city limits, but I often recite it while taxiing on the tarmac before takeoff. For me, it offers an added sense of protection for the pilots, ground crew, and passengers, with hopes of a safe landing for all.
The second exhibit featured fighter kites. Designs inspired by traditions from Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan incorporated bold colors and symmetrical patterns. Historically, fighter kites have been used in rooftop competitions in which strings coated with abrasive materials are used to cut an opponent’s line, a tradition dating back centuries.
Master student Eleanor Estes created a fighter kite in pink, black, and yellow, making it strikingly bright. If flown, it might suggest a warning of an approaching rival or, alternatively, a banner of celebration and victory.
Master student Fiona O’Shea’s fighter kite used subtler colors and patterns of flowers and raindrops, perhaps signifying the arrival of spring.
While kites are not specifically central in Jewish tradition, the Hebrew word ayah, often translated as “kite” (the bird), appears in several biblical passages. Kite flying on Shabbat is approached differently by various rabbis; some discourage it because of concerns about knot-tying or other activities, while others may view occasional passive recreation more leniently.
Kite flying has also served at times as a symbol of hope, solidarity, and peaceful expression in different communities around the world.
At the center of the library stood a sculpture featuring songbirds of San Diego County. Students created birds from paper rolls, paint, and inventive additions like paperclips for feet. Birds represented included the Tree Swallow, Lazuli Bunting, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Purple Finch—species that can be spotted around the school and throughout the community.
All the talented artists did an exceptional job presenting their work, and many stood by their pieces to answer questions and engage patrons in discussing the media they used and how they created them. It is thrilling to see the work of young artists and imagine what the future holds for them. One hopes they continue making time to create beautiful masterpieces and perfect their practice.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.