Meet Judith Schwab: Distinguished Curator Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Judith Schwab and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Judith, how do you think about risk?
Risk is about challenge- about growth, and about vulnerability. It is an essential ingredient in creative work, and in life. Without risk, there can be no reward. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I risked my life when there was a headline on the front page in the Wall Street Journal -on gangs shooting people in their Tbilisi Georgia apartments, because I was heading there to promote an Art Exchange. My trip on the United States side was sponsored by an international peace organization, “Pacem in Terris”, based in Wilmington, Delaware ( http://depaceminterris.org/  Peace on Earth Organization). From the Eastern Europe side, I was invited in 1991 by the Georgian Friendship Center and by an internationally known Artist, Otar Chakvetadze. Governor Mike Castle deemed me a Citizen Diplomat. There was a civil war raging, where people did not want Georgia to be independent from Russia! My trip was a huge success, even though when leaving to return to America with exchanged artwork, I and my boxes were held up by Russian  guards and my boxes broken! Russia claimed I was stealing Russian treasured Arts! However, my boxes were so skillfully packed that they only found what was on the outside. There was a gift from Otar Chekvatadze for Governor Castle, a decorated Georgian sword and Art work as well. That saved me! They were afraid to confiscate a US Governor’s gift. A few years ago my journalist grandson visited Tbilisi, writing an article about the resurgence of the Jewish Community there.  During his trip he was hosted one evening by artist Otar Chekvatadze, bringing independence from Russia, and my time visiting Tbilisi, full circle! I am a distinguished artist, having won two nationally juried fellowships. Besides Tbilisi Georgia, where I had my first art international exchange, I was honored to have two additional international art exchanges, in Russia and in China. I was born in 1935, and have an active Art Studio in FAT Art Village, Fort Lauderdale, Fl -My work always focuses on the Positives during this Pandemic! In Gallery6 at the downtown Ft. Lauderdale Library , there is an exhibition of artwork, (mine included), as a member of “Two plus Three,” the artists organization, free and open to the public. Figures: 1). The Heartbeat of Nature, (detail). Kudzu vine, acrylics, neon. 2.) Colliding Rainbows. Acrylics on gallery canvas. 6 feet wide by 3 feet high. 3). Blocking the COVID. 23 x 23 inches , acrylics on wrapped gallery canvas 4.)Title : “Struggle.” Oil on canvas. Size 20×16 inches. 5). Artist Judy Schwab, by Carson Zullinger.

Visiting artists in Georgia required my hosts to have me sleep every afternoon because the artists worked during the day. We spent every – all night – there in four studio visits from 9 pm till 5 am . Georgia is blessed with many more Working artists. Each one was given a work from a American  Artist for our exchange.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Fat Art Village is a fabulous place when the pandemic ends

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I risked my life when the Wall Street Journal reported gangs shooting people in apartments , as I was heading there for Art exchange

Website: Judithschwab.com
Instagram: Judithschwabart
Facebook: Judith Adelman schwab
Youtube: Judith Schwab happy cell song + judith SchwabArt Nite
Other: JUDITH SCHWAB: “RISK” I risked my life when there was a headline on the front page in the Wall Street Journal -on gangs shooting people in their Tbilisi Georgia apartments, because I was heading there to promote an Art Exchange. My trip on the United States side was sponsored by an international peace organization, “Pacem in Terris”, based in Wilmington, Delaware ( http://depaceminterris.org/  Peace on Earth Organization). From the Eastern Europe side, I was invited in 1991 by the Georgian Friendship Center and by an internationally known Artist, Otar Chekvatadze. Governor Mike Castle deemed me a Citizen Diplomat. There was a civil war raging, where people did not want Georgia to be independent from Russia! My trip was a huge success, even though when leaving to return to America with exchanged artwork, I and my boxes were held up by Russian  guards and my boxes broken! Russia claimed I was stealing Russian treasured Arts! However, my boxes were so skillfully packed that they only found what was on the outside. There was a gift from Otar Chekvatadze for Governor Castle, a decorated Georgian sword and Art work as well. That saved me! They were afraid to confiscate a US Governor’s gift. A few years ago my journalist grandson visited Tbilisi, writing an article about the resurgence of the Jewish Community there.  During his trip he was hosted one evening by artist Otar Chekvatadze, bringing independence from Russia, and my time visiting Tbilisi, full circle! I am a distinguished artist, having won two nationally juried fellowships. Besides Tablisi Georgia, where I had my first art international exchange, I was honored to have two additional international art exchanges, in Russia and in China. I was born in 1935, and have an active Art Studio in FAT Art Village, Fort Lauderdale, Fl -My work always focuses on the Positives during this Pandemic! In Gallery6 at the downtown Ft. Lauderdale Library , there is an exhibition of artwork, (mine included), as a member of “Two plus Three,” the artists organization, free and open to the public. Figures: 1). The Heartbeat of Nature, (detail). Kudzu vine, acrylics, neon. 2.) Colliding Rainbows. Acrylics on gallery canvas. 6 feet wide by 3 feet high. 3). Blocking the COVID. 23 x 23 inches , acrylics on wrapped gallery canvas 4.)Title : “Struggle.” Oil on canvas. Size 20×16 inches. 5). Artist Judy Schwab, by Carson Zullinger.

Image Credits
Carson Zullinger