In the late 1990s, Evva’s daughters (Emily Schwab and Susan Plichta z”l) established the Evva Vale Endowed Fund in honor of their mother, who was, herself, a respected art teacher and active member of the Art Committee at the Alpert JCC. Originally, the art show was created to showcase artists from local colleges, but it has evolved into a broader community show, welcoming a diverse range of participants.

The 2026 competition centers on the theme of Makom. In Jewish tradition, Makom means “place.” It is also one of the names for God — HaMakom, “The Place.” Artists were encouraged to explore this dual meaning: What makes a space holy? How do we create sacredness in our homes, our community, our everyday lives?

The Evva Vale Annual Endowed Art Exhibition and Competition is made possible by an endowment created in memory of Evva S. Vale. The exhibition is juried, and awards are generously provided by the Evva Vale Fund.