NEVER STOP DANCING LISA

Lisa Eryn Silverman | "Never Stop Dancing"

After Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, TheseFineWalls founder Lisa Eryn Silverman sought a way to support the Jewish community. She ultimately chose to leverage a skill dear to her family, heart, and career: photography.

"It was hard to promote artwork after October 7," Silverman said. "I felt that maybe I could give back with my own art."

Silverman resolved to raise funds for the Jewish philanthropic organization UJA Federation of New York by creating a limited edition adaptation of her 2011 photograph "Midnight Dancer." This image, which she shot on a UJA mission to Cuba, became the foundation for the illuminating work that would become "Never Stop Dancing." The original photograph depicts the in-motion silhouette of a dancer in black and white; while the dancer's dress is a blur, her joyful movement of her limbs evokes a sense of lightheartedness and liberty. Silverman converted the chromogenic print to blue and white—colors shared by the flag of Israel—and added the text "NEVER STOP DANCING" atop the dancer's image. The resulting work speaks to Silverman's hope for freedom, peace, and an undivided world.

TheseFineWalls produced a limited run of 50 hand-signed "Never Stop Dancing" editions: 25 in 20x20” and 25 in 40x40”. The editions were unveiled on October 20, 2023 and instantly resonated with designers and art collectors. In less than two weeks, TheseFineWalls sold 29/50 editions. TheseFineWalls has donated more than $60,000 from these sales and each "Never Stop Dancing" sale thereafter to UJA Federation of New York, which in turn provided critical funding to Israeli hospitals, first responders, and support services.

"It wasn't until I started selling 'Never Stop Dancing' that someone pointed out its inherent reference to the Nova Music Festival. The piece was a nod to Jewish strength and the community's ability to always continue on," said Silverman. "During these dark times, this artwork has brought some light."