My journey with the arts began in 1958, born out of a weekly compromise. Every Saturday, my childhood was split between the spiritual tradition of the temple and the creative freedom of the art studio. This early dual education shaped my perspective, and by the age of eight, I received my first formal recognition: an award for a painting of a red flying chicken. It was a whimsical start to a lifelong fascination with visual expression.
When it came time to choose a professional path in college, I felt pulled between the rigor of the natural sciences and the fluidity of the arts. I ultimately found my home in psychology, a field that allowed me to bridge those two worlds. While the scientific elements of the discipline were clear, I always viewed clinical practice as its own form of theater—an “art of the hour” built on empathy, therapeutic alliance, and the delicate work of witnessing another’s experience.
As I dedicated myself to building a career and raising a family, my personal practice in the arts moved to the periphery for a time. However, as life became more established, I found my way back through photography, eventually having the privilege of seeing my work exhibited in several galleries.
Since transitioning into semi-retirement eight years ago, I have come full circle to my first love, painting. In recent years, I have delved more deeply into the medium, formalizing my study through lessons and serious practice. Today, my work is often filtered through the rich lens of Jewish mysticism, reflecting a lifelong journey back to the canvas. What you see in my work today is the culmination of that journey, a sincere inscription of the joy I find in the creative process.
Pearlman’s work will be on exhibit in the Leon Family Gallery on the second floor of the Sandler Family Campus through August. Join the artist for an opening reception in the gallery on Thursday, June 25. The exhibition is supported in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. Thanks to the generosity of the artist, 100% of proceeds from art sales will benefit Arts + Ideas programming at the UJFT. For more information or to RSVP for the reception, visit JewishVA.org/Gallery or contact Hunter Thomas, UJFT director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org or 757-965-6137.
