Heroes of the Holocaust by Meryl Lettire

Heroes of the Holocaust is a series of fabric assemblage portraits honoring artists who, despite unimaginable hardship during the Holocaust, found strength and voice through creative expression. Each portrait is constructed from layered textile scraps—applied like brushstrokes—drawing on African American quilting traditions and the collage techniques of Romare Bearden. From a distance, the works resemble paintings; up close, they reveal intricate detail and physical labor that mirror the endurance of the individuals portrayed.

Created through years of research and guided by the Jewish principle of tikkun olam—“repairing the world”—this series aims to preserve memory, confront antisemitism, and inspire social change. It stands as both tribute and call to action.

Meryl Lettire is a textile artist and former illustrator who earned her BFA from Pratt Institute and her MA in Education from St. Peter’s University. After a successful career in illustration and over two decades as an award-winning art educator, she returned to her art practice full-time in 2023. Her recent work, including The Madonnas and Heroes of the Holocaust, has been exhibited nationally and featured in Women United Art Magazine.

Reception: September 18 from 3:30 - 9:00pm

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