My Mother’s Story: Paintings by Claudia Cameron

Falmouth Jewish Congregation is honored to host a special exhibit of “My Mother’s Story: Paintings by Claudia Cameron” and invites the public to a reception. We cordially invite members of the public to view the exhibit, watch recorded comments by the artist, and enjoy refreshments and conversation inspired by the exhibit. Be prepared to show proof of up-to-date vaccination and to wear a mask, if instructed.

The series “My Mother’s Story” is inspired by the life of Ms. Cameron’s mother, Ruth Oppenheim, who fled Nazi Germany as a child and found refuge in the United States. In her memoir, “Beyond Survival: The Story of My Life,” Mrs. Oppenheim recounts her childhood in a German town with only ten Jewish families, the difficulties the family faced after Kristallnacht, and their efforts to find refuge in the United States, where she landed in 1940. Her moving account, copies of which will be sold at the reception, also attests to the fullness and richness of her life during her 95 years to date. Ruth’s son—and Claudia’s brother—Falmouth resident Jeffrey Oppenheim and his wife Valerie were among the founders of Falmouth Jewish Congregation. Thus Ruth’s living legacy touches our own community.

Artist Claudia Cameron received master’s degrees in Art Therapy and Clinical Social Work. Her lifelong passion for art shifted in the past twenty years from photography to painting. She has studied with various nationally known painters including Tammra Sigler and Ruth Pettus. Her work has been exhibited in juried and non-juried shows, and her paintings are in private collections throughout the United States. She has practiced clinical social work and art therapy with children, families and women for fifty years.

Ms. Cameron offers this artist’s statement: “My paintings, in general, are about inner spirit and how it is reflected through color, shape, light, and nature. I am exploring how the playfulness of my inner soul can be expressed as I am inspired by the outside world, nature, still life, and people. Acrylics are my primary media and I paint on canvas and paper. For my mixed media work, I often use Japanese paper with acrylic paint. Most of my work is done in nature, where landscape never fails to inspire and open the door to my spirit.”