Sights and Sounds of Tradition, unique and colorful works by Mirra Oliker that depict scenes from the life of religious Jews and Judaic folklore, will be on display at the Waltuch Gallery of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 East Clinton Avenue, Tenafly, NJ, February 1 through 28, with an opening reception on February 7, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Artist Mirra Oliker, of Montvale, was born in the former Soviet Union (USSR), city of Leningrad, currently St. Petersburg, Russia. Mirra earned her PhD. in environmental microbiology in Leningrad, and after emigrating from the USSR was employed for 23 years as a scientist at Reckitt Benckiser Co. Fascinated by the traditional life of religious Jews and Judaic folklore, Mirra was inspired to paint Jewish themes.

She has won a number of juried art exhibitions sponsored by the Pascack Art Association, Salute to Women in the Arts and Art Center of NNJ. Her work had been exhibited at Belskie Museum, Atrium Gallery of YJCC of Bergen County, New Milford Borough Hall, Bergen Community College, senior centers and the Flat Brook Nature Center in Englewood at an artist’s exhibition, The Romance of Nature. Her paintings have been purchased by private collectors in the U.S., Israel and Russia. She is a member of Pascack Art Association and Salute to Women in the Arts.

“The communist regime of the USSR harshly suppressed religious freedom, and people were thrown in jail for even learning the Hebrew alphabet,” says Mirra. “After emigrating to the States, I was surprised by the openness and tolerance I found here and it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to paint subjects that are connected to my heritage that speak to who I am as an artist and as a person.”

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.; Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.; closed Saturday and Jewish holidays. Admission is free and open to the community. For more information contact Ruth Yung, (201)408.1418 or visit the JCC website at www.jccotp.org.