In a recent ceremony held outside Amigour Towers, a senior living facility in Ashkelon, community members gathered to witness the unveiling of three mosaic sculptures that were commissioned by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

Working in partnership with Art With A Heart, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, The Associated’s Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership, Amigour and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), community members from both Baltimore and Ashkelon worked collaboratively to create this art installation for the Ashkelon community.

Each of the sculptures represents a period of time – the past, the present and the future. “They capture a story and the history and the culture and the richness of the country of Israel,” explains Ali Mirsky, Director of Community Service and Public Art at Art with a Heart.

On the sculpture of the present, artists and volunteers made sure to include the city of Tel Aviv and the Ashkelon marina and ocean. For the past, the sculpture vividly displays Jerusalem, the kotel and a beautiful pomegranate tree from Mitzpe Ramon. The future boasts scenes from the Negev and includes a sunset and beautiful lush grass and flowers, representing hope for the future of Israel.

“I always say the future, clearly on here and hopefully in life, is bright. That’s what we want to convey to the universe,” says Randi Pupkin, Founder and Executive Director at Art with a Heart.

The shapes of the sculptures were inspired by the vessels that held the Dead Sea Scrolls and were designed so that you can stand and look through each one and be able to see the past, present and future and know that you are part of a rich history and culture.

“Looking at the thousands and thousands of pieces and elements, we estimate that we’ve engaged over 1,200 people for these sculptures,” shares Mirsky.