My Soapbox: Aaron Rubinstein, artist

Aaron Rubinstein, 85, has been a fixture at Summerfair since its beginning. People come from all over the country—and sometimes the world—to talk with him and purchase his jewelry.
 
Rubinstein, a Holocaust survivor, was born in Poland and came to the United States to attend art school and teach as an exchange teacher at a Jewish day school in Cincinnati before making a hobby his life. He’s done work for the Kennedy Art Center (a commemorative pin), the Cincinnati Art Museum (a pendant) and a magnificent necklace for Ms. Universe. He’s won countless awards—many of which adorn the walls of his shop—and he’s been on the cover of Sunshine Artist twice.
 
After his wife’s death in 2004, Rubinstein’s daughter, Haguit Rubinstein-Towler, 49, joined her father in his trade. Art and Summerfair have always been parts of her life. Soapbox sat down with the Rubinsteins to talk art, jewelry and Summerfair.
 
You’ve showcased at Summerfair for the past 45 years—when did you begin making jewelry?
AR: I started making jewelry 59 years ago, in 1949. It was part of my physical therapy after I was injured.
 
What got you interested in making jewelry?
AR: It started as a hobby, and I fell in love with it.
 
Have you tried your hand at other forms of art making?
AR: I graduated as a sculptor from the Art Institute in Israel. I then taught art in schools. I did an exchange and went to the Chicago Art Institute in 1960 and the Minneapolis Institute of Art in 1961. I graduated from the Minneapolis Institute of Art in 1966. It was a small school but a very good school. I minored in jewelry. I came to Cincinnati in 1968 and started to develop the field of jewelry making. We build unique tools to make jewelry, which is our trademark.
 
Why art?
AR: Art is a very important part of people’s lives, especially children. Parents bring their kids to Summerfair, and art is being taught in high schools all over Cincinnati. It’s a very important part of life in Cincinnati. If you take away art and music, there is nothing for society—it’s a reflection of a generation. My family has been mainly artists and musicians for the past 100 years. Haguit was born into art. She’s an architect. And her kids—my grandkids—are all pursuing art. My oldest grandson just got his master’s in filmmaking and screenwriting; my granddaughter just graduated from Ohio Wesleyan and will be attending Mills College in August to get her master’s in creative writing; and my youngest grandson is going to school for automotive design.
 
What do you like most about showcasing at Summerfair?
AR: The volunteers are the great people. When I came to Cincinnati, there was a negative approach to contemporary art in the area. Since Summerfair started, it’s made a huge change in the population’s approach to art. Houses are now decorated with art.
HRT: Art used to be associated with hippies, and people weren’t educated about art like they are now. Summerfair contributes so much culture to the area and helps promote new artists with grants and scholarships. 
 
You were given an award last year—can you tell me about it and what it means to you?
AR: I was given the Ashley Award, which was in honor of Ashley, one of Summerfair’s organizer. She died very young, and she was a friend of mine. It really touched me—her husband and two children presented the award to me. She was a sweet lady, energetic.
 
Why did you decide to join your father in making jewelry?
HRT: I grew up with it—I remember the first Summerfair. I helped off and on at the shop when I was a stay-at-home mom, but I came on full-time in 2004 after my mother died.
 
Is there a difference in style between your work and your father’s?
HRT: Yes. Because I wear the jewelry, I brought in a different viewpoint. For me to wear it, I have to feel comfortable in it. I appreciate my father’s designs more now too. And I use some of his pieces as a base and add my own style to it.
 
What do you hope your jewelry brings to the Cincinnati area?
AR: I like that people recognize my work from all over the United States and abroad. I used to sell to people in London, Switzerland, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Tokyo. People come from all over just to purchase pieces of my work. There was a couple from Seattle who flew into Louisville and then drove here to buy their wedding rings from me. Two years later, the man called and wanted me to size it for him. We’ve made wedding rings for the grandchildren of long-time customers.
HRT: People come to Summerfair because he’s there. He’s a fixture there. People are coming to invest in his work for future investments. When people come to Summerfair wearing his work, other jewelry makers recognize it. It’s a huge compliment because jewelry is very competitive.
 
If you missed Summerfair this year, make sure to catch it next year.