Ari Gradus (1943-    )

"Notre Quartier" limited edition print, number 13/300.

Ari Gradus was born in a small village in Israel. He began painting at the age of eight, at which time his work already showed unusual promise. By the time he was twelve, he had won his first fine art award in Tel Aviv. After three years of army service, Ari came to the United States, where he completed his formal education at New York University. Shortly thereafter, he began to exhibit his work throughout the East Coast.

Over the next years, the work of Ari Gradus became increasingly acclaimed and in demand. He received numerous awards and his work began to be in many important collections.

Since 1995 Ari Gradus has been included in "Who's Who in America Art". In 1996, Ari's work was presented to the Mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert, in a special ceremony and is prominently displayed in the Jerusalem City Hall, where it is in the permanent collection. Ari has been commissioned by various private collectors and organizations to do special art projects. Among these are several large paintings, one of which is displayed in the entrance to Anshe Emeth Temple, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and an original oil of the New York Stock Exchange, which hangs in the office of N.C.Z. Commodities, Inc. on Madision Avenue, New York City.

Ari's work is in the permanent collection of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum in NYC, as well as in the collections of numerous temples, Jewish community centers and corporations.