Sara Harwin

The Artist

Pacific Northwest artist Sara Harwin has focused her talents to create Illuminated Letters: Threads of Connection, an experience for viewers to understand and deal with personal and world issues by connecting through an ancient lens. The work may be described as a multidimensional exhibition reflecting more than 18 years of combining scholarship and art, allowing observers to experience how ancient cultures and philosophy offers ways to work towards a peaceful contemporary world.

Illuminated Letters employs 18 sewn and 42 computer generated digitally printed museum gallery panels and mobile objects based on sacred geometry created out of colorful silk fabrics. The full exhibition of Illuminated Letters extends over 40 feet and requires up to 2,500 feet of space for display offering multiple visual and emotional connections and meanings.

Sara Harwin’s intent is to offer viewers the rare opportunity to self-actualize, inspire, and ignite personal thoughts about connections to nature, the world, and perceptions about the universe. Her work reflects decades of study with international linguistic experts about the roots of ancient words, creating visual pathways for viewers use her art to discover their unique connections.

The media used in the creation of Illuminated Letters include acrylic paint, gold leaf illumination, calligraphy, fabrics, hand-cut paper, and computer created imagery combined with sewn silks and other fabrics.

Sara’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Michigan provided a formal education to her journey as an artist. Her early memories influenced her ability to observe and participate in wide cultural experiences and her artwork is characterized by presenting symbols of historic cultures using all forms of artistic media, from computer-generated graphic art to hand-lettered calligraphy in gold leaf. As a printmaker and two-dimensional artist, she was mentored and enjoyed the tutelage of Emil Weddige, (1907–2001) the internationally known lithographer, painter, and designer. Exploring and presenting works in three-dimensions began after she relocated to Portland, Oregon with husband Fred Harwin. Sara then began to create careful, delicate, and three-dimensional works in ceramics at Marylhurst University guided by artist and educator Wally Schwab.

Sara and Fred Harwin opened Harwin Studios as primarily a lithography and printmaking studio 1970. Around 1990 coinciding with the Macintosh desktop and graphic arts revolution, Sara began creating artwork involving extensive use fabrics, at times combined with technology. She modified her studio to accommodate computers, industrial sewing machines and areas for painting on fabrics, especially silk. Sara Harwin seized an opportunity to deepen her study of cultures and languages, by studying ancient Hebrew around 2011 with Stephen Carver, Ph.D., professor of religious literature and Rabbi Goldie Milgran, Ph.D., award-winning author, educator, and innovator of programs in the emerging field of Jewish spiritual education.

Sara continues her decades of learning by attending interfaith conferences to continue her discovery of cultural and symbolic connections that apply to all faiths.

Major Exhibitions

Here are some highlights from Sara Harwin's major exhibitions:

Date Event
2019 “Illuminated Letters”, Portland Winter Lights Festival window installation, OJMCHE, Portland, OR
2018 Peace and Justice: Three Lettering Traditions, joint show w/ Inga Dubay, Kanaan Kanaan,
Trinity Episcopal Church
Muslim Education Trust
Mittleman Jewish Community Center
2014 “Illuminated Letters: Threads of Connection”, Installation, Oregon Jewish Museum , Portland, OR
2006 “Threads of Connection”, joint show with Fred Harwin, Bonnie Kahn's Gallery
2001 Works of Faith, National juried show, First Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR
1995 Liturgical Guild of Ohio, Biennial Exhibition, Capital University, OH
1993 “Contemporary Jewish Art by Jewish Artists”, Oregon Jewish Museum, Portland, OR
Liturgical Guild of Ohio, Biennial Exhibition, Capital University, OH
1991 Liturgical Guild of Ohio, Biennial Exhibition, Capital University, OH
1990 Two person show (with Fred Harwin), Artquake, Portland, OR
1991 Liturgical Guild of Ohio, Biennial Exhibition, Capital University, OH
1989 M Coe Gallery, Portland, OR
1988 Sun River Art Invitational, Sun River, OR
1987 Sun River Art Invitational, Sun River, OR
Liturgical Guild of Ohio, Biennial Exhibition, Capital University, OH
1986 Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art, Architecture, National Competition/Awards Exhibit, Magnes Museum, Berkeley, CA
1985 One-woman show, Elizabeth S Fine Museum, Temple Beth Israel, San Francisco, CA
1983 National Council/Art in Jewish Life, Juried show, American Jewish Congress, New York, NY
1982 Invitational Group Show, Boston College, Boston, MA
1976 “Rainbow Dancers”, One woman show, Gallery West, Portland, OR
1975 Four woman show, Judah L Magnes Museum, Berkeley, CA
1974 “Oregon Artists Under 35”, Invitational Show, Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR
One woman show, White Bird Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR
Annual Valley Exhibition, Juried Show, Corvallis Art Center, Corvallis, OR

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Conference Exhibitor

Here are some highlights from Sara Harwin's conference exhibits:

Date Event
2003 Union of American Hebrew Congregations
2002 Five Pillars of Conservative Judaism, Conference 2002, Washington, DC
1999, 2001 Union of American Hebrew Congregations
1994-1995 Rosen Group, Buyers Market, Philadelphia, PA
1993 Five Pillars of Conservative Judaism, Conference
1986-1987 Art Expo NY, New York, NY
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
1985 Art Expo NY, New York, NY
Art Expo CAL. Los Angeles, CA

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Commissions

Highlights from Commissions of Sara Harwin's work. Visit the Commissions page of Harwin Studios to learn more and see some of this work.

Commissions Commissions Commissions
Torah Mantles, Yom Chol/Yom Tov Congregation Anshei Israel Tucson, AZ
Parochet, Amud, Yom Chol/Yom Tov Congregation Shaarie Torah Portland, OR
Ark Doors (Parochet) Congregation Ahavat Achim Portland, OR
Chuppah (Wedding Canopy) Congregation Neveh Shalom Portland, OR
Torah Mantles (set of 6) Congregation Neveh Shalom Portland, OR
Elijah’s Chair Congregation Neveh Shalom Portland, OR
Torah Mantle Congregation Anshe Emet Chicago, IL
Wedding Parochet Temple Israel Portsmouth, NH
Torah Mantles Temple Beth El Chappaqua, NY
Torah Mantles Chayai Shalom Temple North Easton, MA
High Holiday Torah Mantles Chayai Shalom Temple North Easton, MA

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Honors

Here are some highlights from honors Sara Harwin has received for her work.

Date Event
2001 Image selected for Hallmark Cards Kansas City
1995 Honorable Mention, Liturgical Guild of Ohio, Biennial Exhibition
1993 National Calendar Competition (1/16 selected), United Synagogues of America
1987 National Calendar Competition (1/16 selected), United Synagogues of America
Award/Artistic Merit, Sanctuary renovation project, United Synagogues of America
1985 Image selected for UNICEF cards

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