CALLING ALL ARTISTS!!! Join The Janice Charach Gallery and create a Hamsa for our next gallery opening! Email us at gallery@jccdet.org for more info. We have 200 to hand outand you are required to use our templete.
Artist sets the price, 50/50 split.
The hamsa hand is an old and still popular amulet for magical protection from the envious or evil eye. The words hamsa and hamesh mean "five" and refer to the digits on the hand. An alternative Islamic name for this charm is the Hand of Fatima, in reference to the daughter of Mohammed. An alternative Jewish name for it is the Hand of Miriam, in reference to the sister of Moses and Aaron. The hamsa hand appears both in a two-thumbed, bilaterally symmetrical form. There is good archaeological evidence to suggest that the downward-pointing protective hamsa hand predates both Judaism and Islam and that it refers to an ancient Middle Eastern goddess whose hand wards off the evil eye.

We are on the news!!!!

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/21343238/index.html

Ties, Ties, Everywhere!!

Isaac Amala and Liz Simpson have arrived. Now the fun can begin. We have 5 days to the exhibit opens and installation has begun!! We will keep you posted on the progress they are making in the gallery during the week!

Don't forget we will see you at the opening Saturday night October 17th at 7pm.

See you there!!

The Bra Show and Towards the Threadbare

Bra Artist: Scarlett Jade


Bra Artist: Robert Schefman


Bra Artist: Hillary Levin


We are just over a week away until the opening! Make sure you join us on Saturday evening October 17th at 7pm.

If you can't make to the opening, join us live on the web at http://74.204.85.21

Towards the Threadbare - Sneak peek

The gallery is currently closed and awaiting the arrival of artists Isaac Amala and Liz Simpson. The lower gallery will soon take on a new theme, one in which I can assure you we have never headed in before. But that's why we are The Janice Charach Gallery! We keep re-creating ourselves! These two talented artists plan an installation of neckties that will start on the ground floor and head upwards toward our skylight. Their entire collection is done strictly with mens ties.

Join us on Saturday evening October 17th at 7 p.m. for the exhibition opening.

Check out their blog and see just what these two cutting edge artists are up to. http://isaacandliz.blogspot.com/

The Bra Show

The Janice Charach Gallery looks forward to receiving support from the community for its upcoming exhibit, “The Bra Show,” set to open Saturday October 17th at 7pm and running until Thursday December 17th.
The exhibit, featuring bras decorated by local and national artists and celebrities and is a fund raiser to benefit Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital’s Charach Cancer Treatment Center.
Opening night, and the entire exhibit, is free and open to the community.
Among the artists who have designed bras for the exhibit are actress Justine Bateman; fashion critic Steven "Cojo" Cojocaru; Robin Schwartz, a reporter for Fox 2 News and the Detroit Jewish News; Peter Soronen, fashion designer to celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Hudson and First Lady Michelle Obama; Joe Faris of “Project Runway”; Melrose of “America’s Next Top Model”; and costume designer Scarlette Jade, whose works include films “Detroit Rock City,” “Demoted,” “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” and is now creating the wardrobe for the local production of “Legally Blonde.”
Other artists contributing to the project are Hillary Levin, Donna Pellegata, Gail Mintz, Taryn Boyn, Susan Emerling, Diane Nunez, Amy Durfee, Ilene Harris, Gilda Snowden, Cliff Harris, Robert Schefman, Mollene Levin, Lisa Fox, Joe Faris, Susan Massucci, Susan Brennan, Abby Stybel, Diane Takacs, Michael Daitch, Imre Molnar, Linda Onderko, Ilene Kahan,Victoriya Strumban, Karen Fenwick, Mimi Prussack, Honorable Susan Moiseev, Terri Stearn, Lynn Duffy, Mary Tata Lynch and Lucy Morey.

In case the men feel left out a little in this exhibit, the gallery will also be showing “Toward the Threadbare,” an exhibit featuring sculptures and other works of art created solely from ties.
The Gallery is located inside the JCC at 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

For information, please contact Gallery Director Terri Stearn at (248) 432-5448 or tstearn@jccdet.org.

Views of Life

Currently in the gallery is a wonderful exhibit entitled "Views of Life" featuring the photography of father and daughter Steven and Julia Tapper.  This photography exhibit takes you on a fascinating, profound and close up journey through the lives of people, places, nature, and texture from all over the world. 

On the upper level of the gallery, you will see the works of mother and daughter, Joyce Brodsky and Lesley Serri and husband and wife Annette Blady Van Mil and Al Van Mil.  It’s a family affair you won’t want to miss! 

Both exhibits run from August 9th through September

Welcome Gregory!

We have a new addition to our gallery staff! We would like to welcome Gregory Ducharme, our new Gallery Intern. Gregory will be with us learning the ins and outs of the gallery world! We are so excited to have him!!

It seems this army man will stop at nothing to get a look at some great art; I don't know why he doesn't just use the doors. He's currently on exhibit in the gallery skylight so stop by and say "hello".

...This gives a whole new meaning to the term guerilla art.

Congrats to Mrs. Levin!

Our wonderful Assistant Director Hillary got hitched over the weekend!
It was a beautiful wedding filled with lots of love!
We wish you and Jordan many many years of health and happiness! Mazol Tov!

For the first time in over two decades a painting of Janice Charach's is available for sale.

There was a brief period in Janice’s painting career when she added text to her work. Below you will find a prime example of some of her poetic text.



Note: This is a big big painting – guys!! Thanks for the callings…Boudour de Bleu – or Beach blanket Bingo- starring: Annette Full of Jello & Fabian…Cough, gag & joke folks!! No- it’s a cough, gag, choke & joke folks! Hay – Hey, cats and sweet barley. I heard it at Felice & Harry’s: “There’s gold in them there hills?” Spelling – teachers??? Line#2. I think I am on “sea peace.” The lady has been brought to you tonight by “silk & satin” from Lord & Taylor…” “ “ “…long shot honey!!!

For more information on this painting contact the gallery at 248-432-5579

Opening the Doors To Fulfill Our Mission

The opening was wonderful! We had such a nice crowd. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our emerging artists and our beautiful gallery. On the upper level we had selected works by Janice Charach. To honor her memory, we created the emerging artist show.

As I begin my third year as Gallery director, I look back on all the young artists whose paths have crossed with mine. I think of their energy, their love of life, their hopes and dreams. They all bring me back to Janice Charach.

Although I never met Janice, I’ve heard so much about her and her wonderful qualities: her love of life and painting, her compassion and support for young artists. I also know Janice and I would have been great friends.

Visitors to the Gallery often stop to talk to me about Janice. When they come here they feel reconnected with her and are happy to see that her dream of helping emerging artists has come true.

Every day I come to work with joy and excitement. I know that what we do here at the Gallery really makes a difference for these artists, and this knowledge would make Janice break out in that unforgettable smile I often hear about and see in pictures.

Janice probably could never have imagined what an impact she had on this wonderful world of art. We were so lucky to have her. I promise to continue Janice’s compassion for and commitment to young artists. This is my job, and I am the luckiest person alive to live that dream: Janice’s dream, her family’s dream and yes, my dream, too.


Terri Stearn
Gallery Director

Join us on Sunday May 31st for the Opening of, "Opening the doors to fulfill our Mission." If you can make it in person, join us streaming on the web!

http://74.204.85.21

There is no www in front of the address!!!

Gallery Floor!

This week we are getting a small face lift at the gallery. The old dingy carpet that has graced our floors for almost 2 decades is leaving! We are replacing it with a beautiful new floor! Please join us on Sunday May 31st at 2pm for "Opening the Doors To Fulfill Our Mission."

Janice Charach was well on her way to becoming an established artist, when she was taken away from us way to early. To honor her memory, the gallery will have an emerging artist show. On the upper level of the gallery works by Janice will be on display. Hope to see you all there!

Glass Blowing

Last week a small group of us headed to Detroit to see Robert and Andrew Madvin's glass studio. They did an amazing demonstration on glass blowing for us. It was a great trip! We decided this must become an annual event!!

Glass Reunion '09

Today was the opening of Glass Reunion '09. What am amazing successful opening. Over 100 people came to hear Herb Babcock speak on our wonderful Michigan glass community. Several of the CCS students and alumni were there to speak about their glass. What an amazing day! I couldn't have done it without the help of Hillary, Diane and the newest addition to our gallery installation team, Jack! Now let's kick back and enjoy MICHIGAN GLASS MONTH 2009.

GALLERY LIVE WEB STREAM!

Can't make it to Michigan for our opening this Sunday? Join us live via the internet for our Glass Reunion '09 opening. Use the following address to see what is happening in our beautiful gallery.

http://74.204.85.21/ type this address exactly, there is no www in the address.

So if you are in London in your pajamas or at the beach in Tel Aviv, you can still be at our opening!!

See you in Cyberspace!

and the wall came tumbling down.......

Nah Nah Nah Nah, Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Hey...Goodbye!

The wall is gone, just a little clean up (or maybe a big clean-up) and we are ready to set up all the wonderful glass the students and alumni from CCS have dropped off! See you at the opening!!

Sunday March 29, 2 PM

All good walls must come down eventually!

It's official, the beautiful huge wall that was built for one of our exhibitions this past Autumn is coming down. This wall was constructed in 5 days by 4 workman...and one special lady of course. We are preparing for the glass show, and as much as we loved this wall and it's extra hanging space, it just isn't fitting our daily gallery needs. So adios GREAT WALL OF CHARACH.....we enjoyed highlighting you in our beautiful gallery.

As the wall comes down, the glass comes in and here we go again! Did we mention that we love this job!!!!

Haggadah scavenger hunt

Today we had Rabbi Finkelman's class from the Frankel Jewish Academy at the gallery. The students watched a video on the Sarajevo Haggadah. We discussed the importance of the Haggadah, and how it managed to survive all these years. The class then went on a Haggadah scavenger hunt. Thanks for coming and visiting!!

Sherrill Berman Children's Art Program

Today in the gallery we had artist in residence Lesley Serri here making stained glass seder plates with the 4th, 5th and 6th grades at Temple Israel's religious school. The children had such a great time with their creations. Many made traditional seder plates, while some got really funky creative with theirs. Everyone had such a good time! Thank you again to the Berman Family for allowing us to bring these amazing free programs to the children in our community!