“Folded Cat” by Elbert Weinberg

“The Animals,” an exhibition and sale of the work of the renowned Hartford-born sculptor Elbert Weinberg, will open at Real Art Ways in Hartford on Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m., with a reception that is free and open to the public. The exhibition will run through May 5. Among Weinberg’s work is the prominent Holocaust sculpture erected on the lawn of the Mandell Jewish Community Center in West Hartford.

Recently, the Ledger spoke with Real Art Ways Executive Director Will K. Wilkins about the upcoming exhibit:

JL: How did the idea for an exhibition at Real Art Ways come about?
WW: Ken Kahn of the Elbert Weinberg Trust approached Real Art Ways about doing something together. I was aware of Weinberg’s work, and thought it would be great to provide a showcase for it and support Real Art Ways at the same time. Real Art Ways supports artists as a core part of our mission. Elbert Weinberg is an example of a fine talent who kept his local ties.

JL: Why is an exhibition of Weinberg’s work important to the community?
WW: I think there are a lot of people who may have seen Weinberg’s public works, including the sculptures in front of the state armory and the Jewish Community Center, who might not realize the rich history of this local artist, or know about his accessible animal sculptures.

JL: How is this show “different?”
WW: It’s unusual for Real Art Ways to do an exhibition like this, but we are always interested in doing unusual things. There is a lot of love out there for dogs, cats and other animals, and here is an artist who captured something essential about these beings.