A Message from Perla Karney, Artistic Director:

Since its inception, the mission of the Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts has been to make art and culture an integral part of the Hillel experience for students at UCLA. Our five gallery spaces, including the Dortort Gallery, the Spiegel Gallery, and the Gindi Gallery, encompass 2,500 square feet and present nine art exhibits every academic year. Perla has been the Artistic Director since 2004. The Dortort Center has mounted over one hundred exhibits featuring artists from around the world.

We have presented Musical Salons, Documentary and Film Screenings, Staged Play Readings, Book readings, Student Fine Art Shows, Student Photo Exhibits, Lectures, Art Panels and a host of other art and cultural events. In addition, we collaborated with award winning composer and Rockefeller fellow Yotam Haber on the American premiere of his new work Death Will Come And She Shall Have Your Eyes which was performed at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall.

We thank our distinguished Dortort Center Advisory Board as well as our generous sponsors who have made our programs possible. Here is a video tribute to mentor Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller as well.

Click to listen to Perla talk about her work and the Dortort Center in this special podcast episode for the show Commentaries From The Edge

You can read more about Perla Karney and The Dortort Center in The Jewish Journal, Ha'Am, and The Daily Bruin.

Click here for her most recent interview with the Daily Bruin.

To hear more about a photography exhibit she hosted showcasing connections between Israeli and Palestinian women click here

To hear more about a recent concert held by the Dortort Center Click here

To hear more about her most recent Art Opening, "Homelessness" Click here

To hear more about our most recent Winter Art Opening with Mark Strickland & Susan Cooper, Click here

“The art in the building is truly spectacular. It is appreciated by so many--even if the positive student feedback doesn’t get to your doorstep directly. I admire your passion and creativity to infuse Hillel with Jewish art.”

- Natalie Charney, Past President of Bruins for Israel

“It’s a privilege to be associated with such innovative and creative work.”

- Olivia Cohen-Cutler, Senior Vice President of Broadcast Standards and Practices, ABC, Inc.
& Member of the Dortort Advisary Board 

(Perla Karney and Dvora Ezralow (z"l), Dortort Center Advisory Board Member) 

Dortort Center Advisory Board