One of the more fun stories to tell are the ones where we find a Jewish link—or in this case, multiple Jewish links—hidden inside a major public event. These are the stories that surprise even the most plugged-in members of our community. At the Jewish Light, we’re always on the lookout for them. Why? Because when we can add a layer of Jewish history to a night at the museum or a weekend show, we think it makes the whole experience just a little more meaningful.
We hope that mission is working—and with that in mind, here’s something new worth knowing: “Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939” at the St. Louis Art Museum isn’t just a blockbuster summer exhibit. It’s also home to some incredible Jewish connections. And now, thanks to popular demand, you’ve got several more chances to see it after hours.
Glamour, speed, and stories you didn’t know you needed
SLAM has just announced extended evening hours for “Roaring” with the exhibit open from 6 to 9 p.m. on three consecutive Wednesdays—July 9, 16 and 23—as well as on Saturday, July 26. The last entry is at 8 p.m., and the after-hours entrance is through Taylor Hall only. Tickets are required and expected to sell out fast, so early reservations are highly encouraged.
If you’ve already heard about the exhibit, you know what to expect: 12 stunning vintage cars, couture fashion from the interwar years, and over 100 works of art capturing the golden era of French design. But look a little closer and you’ll find something more. From trailblazing Jewish artists to industry-shaping inventors, “Roaring” is filled with Jewish figures who helped define the era’s look, speed and spirit.
Jewish artists on the runway and behind the wheel
One of the most recognizable names in the show is Josephine Baker. Born in St. Louis, Baker rose to global stardom in 1920s Paris—but she also converted to Judaism when she married French-Jewish industrialist Jean Lion. Later, she used her fame as cover while smuggling secret messages for the French Resistance. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t get a spotlight in the exhibit but deserves one.
The same goes for André Citroën, the Jewish-French automotive visionary who didn’t just manufacture cars—he revolutionized them. He introduced mass production to the French auto world and turned vehicles into objects of desire. His name is on multiple works in “Roaring,” but his Jewish background isn’t always mentioned.
Then there’s Sonia Delaunay, born Sonia Stern, who wrapped an actual Citroën in modernist color in 1928. And Tamara de Lempicka, the Polish-born Jewish painter who famously put herself behind the wheel of a green Bugatti in her bold self-portrait. Other Jewish names in the mix include fashion designer Sarah Lipska, photographers Man Ray and Ilse Bing, and architect Pierre Chareau—each helping to shape what modernism looked like between the wars.
Why these extended hours matter
Seeing this exhibit once is worth it. Seeing it with this added context? Even more so. These extended evening hours offer a slower pace and a deeper dive, especially for those who want to take in the art and the unspoken stories that come with it.
| RELATED: Your guide to finding Jewish stories we featured inside ‘Roaring’ at the Art Museum
So if you haven’t been—or you’re ready for another lap—this is your moment.
If you go
What: “After Hours—Roaring” at the St. Louis Art Museum
When: Wednesdays, July 9, 16, 23 and Saturday, July 26; 6–9 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)
Where: St. Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park
Tickets: Required and may sell out; entry through Taylor Hall only
