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editorial Mountain of God, cont the Torah. and towards Jerusalem. The Ark. the Bimah (a platform or dais), and the Eternal Light arc the three elements that would he found anywhere the Jews worship--in a lent, a synagogue, or the temple. Here at Har-El. they have been given a place that is dignified by its simplicity and its thoughtfulness. The Har-El Synagogue has already won a Canadian Architect award. It will certainly win more. No award will be more important than what this spiritual place says about the Jewish people and their place in Ihe North Shore cultural mosaic. "Building it was an acl of faith." says Rabbi Balla. For the congregation of Har El--the Mountain of God --their wanderings have ceased, os Graham Argyle is an architect who specializes in facilities planning. He is also the co-host of Arts Alive TV. Space for Rant: Are You Aware of Art? What Does It Mean to You? by Ruth Payne & Maria With Arts Awareness Malcolm Week taking place April 21 to 26 at West Vancouver's Ferry Building Gallery, gallery employees and art lovers Ruth Payne and Maria Malcolm share what art means to them and hope it will spur others to appreciate its effect hat does art mean to you? An answer to this question can really only be given from an "up close and personal" point of view. As Matthew Fox says in his recent essay "Work. Passion and the Life of Spirit" in the book 77ie Soul of Business. "Art is the only thing that we've ever had for expressing what moves us deeply--in terms of beauty or in terms of grief." Art is a random act of communication and, by its very essence, exists to be experienced. It yearns for an audience. It is the birthing of personal creation, yet has the added value of creativity connecting with spirit. It is important to note that art is an integral part of your life! Living with art is not a passive or intellectual exercise of art appreciation, but rather an alive relationship with daily living. The communication of our personal experience with art--our discernment and expression of a personal sense of meaning--is a grand opportunity for relationship building, relationship with self, others, and our surrounding environment. Whether our experience of art is joyous and awe-inspiring or filled with abhorrence and resistance, it still facilitates greater understanding of our self and our place in the universe. West Vancouver sculptor Ian Rowles believes that "Art is the means of communicating a sense of wonder, meaning, and spiritual enrichment, from the artist to the audience." Art gives a community focus and creates its "heart and soul." Whether you like what you see or not, it offers you an experience that nothing else can! All this is best summed up by the Vancouver Sun's book editor and Canada Council member Max Wyman, in his keynote address at the Business and Arts Awards: "We've all heard the arguments for the spinoff benefits of culture, but the real business of art has nothing to do with box office takings or economic multipliers or tourist dollars or even with the creation of national cultural identity . . . . The real business of art is tied inextricably to our personal search for authenticity: the hidden truths of our daily being . . . . the heartbeat, if you like, of being human." oa Art Awareness Week runs April 21 to 26 at the Ferry Building Gallery in West Vancouver. Celebrate the artwork of well-known local artists and hear their success stories. Meet emerging artists and art educators. Learn about volunteer opportunities in the arts. Phone 925-7290for event details. Ruth Payne is the co-ordinator and Maria Malcolm is office administrator of the Ferry Building Gallery in West Vancouver. China Bowl, acrylic painting by West Vancouver artist Bobbi Burgers. Her work will be on display at the Ferry Building Gallery during Arts Awareness Week. She will be a part of "Tuesday Night Live" on April 21. Wh A n n a Wyman S c h o o l o f V/meS Arts · Girls & Boys Pre School · Ballet R.A.D. & Vaganova · R.A.D. Examinatjons · Contemporary · Choreography Workshop · Jazz & Tap Program · Musical Theatre · Flamenco · Hip Hop · Yoga All Ages -2° to Adult 1457 Marine Drive (above MacDonalds) West Van. BC V7T 1B8 Fax 926-6912 Ki Spring Registration begins Mar.1,1998 926-6535