HARTFORD – Charter Oak Cultural Center kicks off its 11th annual Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture with Contra-Nation, a solo show by artist Elliott Katz. The month-long run in the Charter Oak gallery begins with an opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. It will run through Nov. 6.

Growing up on a vegetable farm in rural Vermont within an earthy, multi-ethnic family, Katz’s artistic practice in part represents the collision of two cultural histories: his mother is a third generation Japanese American and his father is of Russian Jewish descent. Their communities intersected in Southern New Jersey after significant international upheaval that led to their separate relocation as agricultural laborers.

“The Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture is Charter Oak’s yearly exploration of the complexity and diversity of Jewish art,” Cody Daigle-Orians, Charter Oak’s programming director said. “Elliott lives and works in that complexity. He’s showing us the beauty and curiosity of a multicultural future, and we’re thrilled to show his work.”

For gallery hours and other information, call 860-310-2586 or email codyd@charteroakcenter.org.