© John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS Parkland artist Lori Arbel works with Holocaust survivors on \"Marks for their Lives: The Good and the Bad.\"

Holocaust survivors who survived traumatic experiences early on in their lives were able to make marks for lives lost and celebrate the ones they created on wooden planks and parchment at a recent art workshop at Painting Picnik Art Studio in Fort Lauderdale.

This art workshop, which was presented by Holocaust Heroes Worldwide, involved the survivors sharing their stories and taking part in a three-dimensional art piece called “Marks For Their Lives: The Good and the Bad," which commemorates the 1.5 million children lost in the Holocaust. It was led by Parkland artist Lori Arbel, founder of the “Marks for their Lives" collaborative art project; Chen H. Bitton, founder of Painting Picnik; and professional artist Michele Youngblood Miller.

Besides commemorating the children lost in the Holocaust, Arbel said, "This project is also about celebrating our differences and similarities so the Holocaust doesn't happen again."

Arbel, whose artwork has been featured in art gallery shows, said the survivors' role in the workshop is part of a large project that includes collaborations with students and artists.

“The vision beyond the vision is to have a group show, whether it be three or five years from now, with all these different pieces under the umbrella ‘Marks for their Lives.’"

Arbel , who has also given special art therapy to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students in Parkland, felt it was special to co-lead this workshop for the Holocaust survivors.

"They become so quiet and I just want to listen to every story they have. I gain strength from them because they have hope, which is so inspiring."

Mike Alpert, a Holocaust survivor from Hollywood who participated in the workshop, thought it was wonderful.

"I feel like we're back in kindergarten."

Irene Zisblatt, a survivor from Plantation who as an inmate in the Auschwitz concentration camp was part of Dr. Josef Mengele’s experiments, said the art workshop was a good thing for her and fellow survivors who participated.

"Survivors are sharing their stories that have to be told because the future generations have to be as informed as possible so this can never ever happen again."

Bitton said regarding the art project, "For me, art is something more than just something on a wall."

"This art project has much more meaning. It has a story and a way to commemorate and celebrate the survivors' lives."

Moran Alfasi, founder of Holocaust Heroes Worldwide, said, “We do a lot for the survivors as we empower them to have their voices heard, and we also inspire and empower individuals to take action.”

"We want to inspire as many people as possible to make a difference through their gifts. If you're an artist, you can spread awareness through art. If you're a musician, you can do it through music."

Visit loriarbel.com for more information on the artist, facebook.com/everysurvivorisahero/ on Holocaust Heroes Worldwide and paintingpicnik.com/ on the art studio.

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