STUDIO 330 • Fine china, fine crystal and interesting gifts • 20% off most of your favorite brands • Computerized bridal registry • Free gift wrapping Mon.-Sat. 10-6; Thurs. 'til 8 Bloomfield Plaza • 6566 Telegraph Road at Maple • Bloomfield Hills 851-5533 I TIMELESS ANTIQUES Louis XV Empire Sheraton Chippendale Queen Anne George II Mug Shots They're beautiful and they're pragmatic. A local gallery focuses on the fine art of making mugs. FRANK PROVENZANO SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS iving in a culture where the synthetic — from talk shows to plastics — is common- place, there's a yearning to get back to the natural. Perhaps that's part of the rising popular- ity of mugs. Holding a sculptured lump of clay that has been fired into hard stone is like grasping a tradition handed downfrom generation to generation. Of course, a "drink- ing vessel" in archeological terms is simply a mug by today's stan- dards. And yes, there were mugs before there were coffee houses. For admirers of one-of-a-kind mugs, holding a distinctly formed cup made from red clay or terra cotta could be like a religious ex- perience. Well, at least Ariana Gallery in Royal Oak is hoping so. From March 11 through March 18, the Ariana Gallery is holding an exhibit of the works of 52 of the most sought-after mug sculptors in the country. The show, "From Hand to Mouth," also is an inaugural joint project for two of the local gallery scene's most ardent supporters of clay artists — Anne Kuffler and Dul- L "People find mugs appealing," said Ms. Kuffler, director and owner of Ariana Gallery. "It's art that you can hold in your hand, use daily, think about the person who gave it to you. All without spending a lot of money." The mugs featured in the ex- hibit represent microcosms of the respective artists' sculptural styles. On a smaller scale, the mugs bear the artists' trademark markings and shapes. "Some people buy these mugs because they might not be able to afford the artist's vase or teapot," Ms. Kuffler said. "From Hand to Mouth" has been curated by Ms. Swidler, who owned and directed the Swidler Gallery, formerly in Royal Oak. Her joint effort with Ms. Kuffler marks Ms. Swidler's first exhib- it since her gallery closed its doors. Swidler Gallery featured clay work exclusively, and provided "a space outside of art fairs for many emerging artists," Ms. Swi- dler said. Now, both are working to attract those same clay artists to Ariana Gallery. Featuring "mug sculptures" in SPECIALIZING IN MAHOGANY & WALNUT 15531 W. 12 Mile • Just West of Greenfield Southfield 810-569-8008 Take a drink from works by Sara Coote, Michael Simon, Matthew Metz. Hours: 10AM-6PM • Closed Tues. & Sunday A work. tiop Cf") w CID Crative ExplorAtioli for 07 014011C Allb allV1014C Wt10 is 1001(1115 to open ttiel4iselves to life's creative experiewes. (This is ivt af1 Art class; CC F- LU 1.A11111 EbWArbS NeWf41A11 sio) Artist/Art tlicrApist M. Eb. (2, 1595 - 84 cy Swidler. The exhibit culminates with a mug-raising tribute to the friend- ly coffee bean. Mugs will be filled with coffee as part of an informal coffee-tasting seminar. But make no mistake. A mug is not just a mug. It reveals plen- ty about a person. More than his caffeine-ingesting habits. It's a statement that many peo- ple place on their desks, or reach for when seeking a cup of solace. The appeal might be the mug's strong lines. The thick, heavy handle. The delicate curves of porcelain. Maybe the glaze re- flects the window to the soul. Or, in more practical terms, maybe a deep, bowl-like mug could make the morning trips to the coffee pot a one-stop firi-up. a gallery has been rather vogue, especially since one of the most famous clay galleries in the coun- try, Garth Clark of New York, regularly presents mug exhibits. Perhaps the popular appeal of "mug art" also can be attributed to the growing attention in the art world to clay artistry and the increased popularity of coffee drinking. Yet the "From Hand to Mouth" exhibit also offers another unex- pected feature: original sculpture at a reasonable price, Ms. Swi- dler said. With more than 200 mugs ranging from $12 to $100, the work also meets the most stringent aesthetic and pragmatic standard: It's attractive, afford- able — and usable. And, Ms. Swidler is quick 'co point out that each mug has an "individualized quality." Be- cause every clay piece is fired in a kiln, glazed and put back in the kiln, there's a randomness — and uniqueness — in the piece. "Each mug feels differently," Ms. Swidler said. "A lot of clay is formed by accident. When you're dealing with fire you can only con- trol so much." The exhibit features local artists Elizabeth Lurie, Diane Pancioli, Paul Young and Susan Beiner, whose contribution in- cludes a sculpture made from mugs. The work of nationally known clay artists Byron Tem- ple, Matthew Metz and Val Cush- ing are also in the show. In addition, Detroit-based Pe- wabic Pottery will unveil a new line of brightly colored mugs designed especially for the ex- hibit. Eighteen months ago, Ariana Gallery moved to the large open space on Main Street from a small house gallery in Birming- ham. Since then, Ms. Kuffler has assembled one of the largest selections of glass art in the area. She has also filled the gallery with a range of ceramics, posters and paint- ings, including the cont- roversial work of Jack Kevorkian. "To create an interest in art, we have to educate the public," Ms. Kuffler said. "We try to make people aware of the subjects that art encompass- es." Part of the gallery's out- reach approach is to offer lectures on how to build an art collection. In early May, many of the same mug artists will reassem- ble for the Ariana Gallery's vase show, and then again in the fall for its annual teapot exhibit. But it seems Ms. Kuffler and Ms. Swidler expect the mug show will offer the most intimate ex- perience. After all, is there any other "art form" that you can hold in your hands, press to your lips and from which you can sip your favorite libation? ❑ Ariana Gallery is located at 119 South Main in Royal Oak. "From Hand to Mouth" will run from March 11-18. The educational coffee semi- nar and tasting will be held Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to noon. For information, call the gallery, (810) 546- 88i0.