The Jewish Museum of Florida is pleased to announce a new exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Steve Marcus, titled Through The Hat: The Art of Steve Marcus.

Steve Marcus’ creative contributions have spanned multiple mediums and he has been a consistent trailblazer in both popular and underground cultures. The exhibition is accompanied by photos of the artist at work by legendary photographer Sid Kaplan (of “Vanishing New York” fame). The solo exhibition opens March 6, 2019, and runs through May 21, 2019.

Through The Hat includes more than 26 wood-carved sculptures and Jewish ritual objects, more than a baker’s dozen hand-drawn works of art on paper, and custom synagogue furniture. Marcus seamlessly weaves his Proustian childhood memories of bagels and bialys, pickles and green tomatoes from the barrel, and paper-wrapped whitefish chubs with his personal journey and passion for his own roots and culture. In Through the Hat, Marcus has created a folk/cartoon world that is the Kosher cousin of those created by artists Alexander Calder and Red Grooms, if seen through the prism of comics. His beautifully crafted renditions of Jewish life in New York City celebrate a culture of orthodoxy and unorthodoxy in all their splendor.

Marcus lives and creates his art from his studio in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, once the stronghold of the Yiddish Theatre and other Jewish cultural touchstones in New York City, where he has worked and developed an international reputation over the last 25 years. Regarding this art show, Marcus stated, “My current body of work expresses my own roots and culture and proudly contains Jewish values, experiences, and perspectives as a celebration of authenticity. The artwork is not just a creative declaration of my own identity and beliefs, but also created to inspire all people to celebrate and explore their own true identities. My work is the manifestation of a creative rebellion of expression that smashes falsehood and hatred. The quest for the truth will lead to oneness.”

About Steve Marcus: Marcus (aka smarcus) has received honors and awards from the American Society of Illustrators; has several works in the permanent collection of the Oakland Museum of Art in California, as well as in private art collections in the United States and abroad; and has collaborated with Allen Ginsberg, Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary, The Norman Mailer and Miguel Pinero Estates, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. He’s created artwork and illustrations for High Times Magazine and the infamous Cannabis Cup, New York Times, MTV, The Tibetan Freedom Concerts, The Source, several Conde Nast Publications, Esquire and posters for the world famous Fillmore in San Francisco.

Exhibition Opening Reception is Free for Members, $10 non – members