Workshop: Magic Mirrors through a Jewish Mystical Lens – Craft and Learn with Sof Kreidstein
- Workshops
Wednesday August 6 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
In Jewish mysticism and folk magic, mirrors are not merely reflective objects – they are thresholds, protectors, tools of ritual, and vessels of prophecy.
Join artist Sof Kreidstein for a creative workshop exploring the role of mirrors in Jewish spiritual tradition. Engaging with symbolism in Hannah Altman's work in the current photography exhibition at Koffler Gallery, and drawing from their practice as a community-engaged artist, ritual object maker, and Jewish educator, Kreidstein will offer thoughtful guidance for participants to connect meaningfully through research-based artistic expression.
In this session, participants will create ornamented mirror amulets using mixed-media sculpting techniques, grounding speculative conversation and learning in tactile craft. This is a welcoming space for those seeking intuitive, hands-on pathways into learning about Jewish mystical and folk-magical traditions. Bring curiosity and openness to create, learn, explore, and *reflect*. All materials provided. Open to participants of all backgrounds and artistic skill levels.
Sof Kreidstein’s poetic and experimental approach to material, performance, media, and language often takes shape through multifaceted installations and community-engaged projects. In addition to Jewish mysticism and queer ritual, they explore abjection/intrigue, neurodivergent perception, and environmentalism.
Kreidstein holds an Interdisciplinary BFA from NSCAD University (2022), where they were curator of the NSCAD Graduation Exhibition. Their work has been exhibited at Tangled Art + Disability, Nocturne Halifax, Blackwood Gallery/QUIET PARADE, and Anna Leonowens Gallery. They lead collaborative projects and workshops centred on embodied, relational processes, including In Touch / In Motion (2022, 2024). They are also a Jewish educator with experience at Lishma, Shoresh, and Danforth Jewish Circle, and as Program Director of Machane Lev, a queer and trans-centered Jewish summer camp and year-round youth organization.
