ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Jerusalem Studio School Faces Financial Crisis, New York Auction Planned for Rescue

market-auction · 2026-04-22

Earlier this year, the Jerusalem Studio School, the sole institution in Israel dedicated to classical art education, encountered a financial shortfall of $450,000, jeopardizing its stability. This issue came to light when founder-director Israel Hershberg learned of the executive director's sudden departure due to a personal crisis. Established in 1998, the school focuses on the teachings of old masters, providing a traditional alternative to contemporary Israeli art schools. Hershberg has successfully brought in visiting American artists and renowned lecturers, and the school boasts alumni like Romanian realist Victor Man. To mitigate the financial strain, funds were raised to commence the academic year post-Jewish holidays in October, with a benefit auction planned for November 22 at Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects in New York City, featuring contributions from various artists.

Key facts

  • Jerusalem Studio School faced a $450,000 deficit earlier this year
  • Founder-director Israel Hershberg discovered the crisis over summer 2011
  • School is Israel's only classically oriented art institution, founded in 1998
  • Located in an industrial estate near Jerusalem's railway station
  • Emphasizes drawing from casts, life, and summer expeditions to Certosa, Italy
  • Benefit auction scheduled for November 22 at Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects in New York City
  • Artists donating include Philip Pearlstein, Stanley Lewis, and Ruth Miller
  • School has graduated painters like Romanian realist Victor Man

Entities

Artists

  • Israel Hershberg
  • Victor Man
  • Lennart Anderson
  • John Dubrow
  • Diana Horowitz
  • Ken Kewley
  • Ruth Miller
  • Stuart Shils
  • Kelly Wilson
  • Jennifer Riley
  • Philip Pearlstein
  • Stanley Lewis
  • Sangram Majumdar
  • Kyle Staver
  • Andrew Forge
  • E.M. Saniga
  • Kurt Knobelsdorf
  • Gideon Bok
  • Paul Resika
  • Janice Nowinski

Institutions

  • Jerusalem Studio School
  • Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects
  • Bezalel
  • Holon Institute of Technology
  • New York Studio School
  • New York Academy of Fine Art
  • artcritical

Locations

  • Jerusalem
  • Israel
  • New York City
  • United States
  • Certosa
  • Italy
  • Tel Aviv
  • Ramat Hasharon
  • Tuscan campagna

Sources