Artists’ Village in the Golan Heights, Israel
March 14th, 2007 at 9:37 am (Shopping in Israel)
William King visited Ani’am in the Golan Heights and had this to say about the new artists’ village there:
Nestled in the Golan Heights, with spectacular views to Mt. Hermon, is Kfar Omanim, an artist’s village that offers a uniquely different Israeli experience. Kfar Omanim is at the entrance to moshav Ani’am, located between the city of Katzrin and the Gamla archaeological site in the middle of the Golan Heights.
The village boasts some ten galleries with more under construction, as well as the Suzanna Bistro Bar. Each of the galleries is decorated outside and in with bright colors and designs, floral arrangements, wood carvings, and other individually inspired artistic decorations. Artists display and sell paintings, ceramics, wood carvings, jewelry, and other products made by local artisans from the moshav.
Chanan Milner is a renowned painter who studied under Ernst Fuchs in Austria. His wife, Olga Oreshnikov, also a renowned Russian painter, sells her works primarily in Great Britain. The pair moved to the moshav a year ago from Jerusalem and their son carved the elaborate wood door outside their gallery. Chanan said that he has enjoyed living and working at the moshav and that business has been good.
Another gallery, run by Dafna Kadovshevitz, displays ceramics, clothing items, and specially handcrafted silver jewelry. She, and her husband Adi, a carpenter, have lived at Ani’am for four and a half years; Adi built their gallery and carved many of the elaborate designs inside. In addition to her own artwork, Dafna also sells works and products by various artists from the moshav, including delicious homemade jams.
The artists’s village offers tourists and Israelis a chance to experience a lighter side of Israel, away from all the news and concerns of the conflict. Although many of the galleries were closed during the fighting with the Hizbullah due to lack of business, most of the residents stayed at their homes at Ani’am. For Hanan, who just opened his gallery last October, if there will be another war he says that he’s staying put.
The stunning views and fresh mountain air of Artists’ Village (Kfar Omanim) by themselves make a trip to the Golan and Ani’am worthwhile. Most of the galleries are open throughout the week and on Shabbat, however the bistro is closed on Friday afternoon and opens again after Shabbat. Whether looking for an afternoon outing, shopping for you or a friend, or just to see the various rich works that are produced by the local artists, then Kfar Omanim in the Golan Heights is the place. Submitted by Will King.
Overnight suggestions: Enjoy cool mountain air and spectacular views of the Golan. Book a romantic B&B suite with double jacuzzi and wood burning stove.
Or book a self-catering unit for a family holiday, with private all-season swimming pool in the Golan.
