Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery
opens the door to Jewish art in metro Detroit.

SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News

A

colorful abstract painting — placed in
rotation with images of similar style —
brightens the wall outside the director's
office at the Janice Charach Epstein
Gallery in West Bloomfield.
Each painting appearing in that designated space,
on the north side of the second floor, is chosen by
Sylvia Nelson, gallery director, to complement the
current exhibit — whether it be the work of one
prominent artist, the designs of a group of emerging
artists or a touring combination of pieces with a
cohesive Jewish theme.
Visitors who regularly browse through the gallery
at the Jewish Community Center might notice that
each rotating painting matches the artistic style
etched into the glass doors that welcome both
returning patrons and newcomers glimpsing a vari-
ety of talents.
The works that give continuity to the gallery were
completed by its namesake, whose brushes stopped
filling canvas and paper in 1989, when she lost her
fight against cancer at age 38.

Fitting Tribute

9/7

2001

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The Janice Charach Epstein Gallery, built in her honor
by parents Natalie and Manny Charach, celebrates its
10th anniversary this year with events surrounding an

exhibit of Jewish-themed postcards on loan from New
out of town to see works by Jewish artists or to meet
York's Jewish Theological Seminary Library
Jewish artists," says Natalie Charach, who works
"Past Perfect: The Jewish Experience in Early 20th
closely with her husband to find support for individ-
Century Postcards," on view Sept. 13-Oct. 31, will
ual programs and scout new works for display.
be opened with a lecture by David Wachtel, senior
"Our daughter was very fortunate in having two
research associate for special col-
private galleries exhibiting her work,
lections at the library.
but she always felt sorry for other
On the evening of Oct. 4,
Jewish artists who did not have places
Katherine Hamilton-Smith, cura-
to exhibit. While she was alive, we
tor of the Curt Teich Archives of
talked about opening a gallery, but
the Lake County Discovery
we were very busy and knew we'd
Museum in Wauconda, Ill., the
have to find somebody to run it.
repository for the largest public
"After she died, we got the idea to
collection of postcards and related
start a gallery at the Jewish
material in the nation, will lec-
Community Center, but there was
ture on the history and signifi-
no room. That's when we offered to
cance of postcards.
back the construction of an addition
A companion display, "Small
and establish a steering committee
Works: Postcards as Art," showcas-
to guide what would be done."
es postcards designed by local
artists and offered for a silent auc-
A Life In Art
tion to benefit the gallery. A mon-
etary award, to be announced at
Janice Charach Epstein and her
an Oct. 25 reception, will be given The Charach family, counterclockwise: brother, Jeffrey, always expressed an
for the most creative card as juried Natalie Charach (seated), Jeffiey
interest in art and were encouraged
by Joe Marks, curator of the
Charach, Manny Charach and the
by their parents, who even allowed
Alfred Berkowitz Gallery at the
late Janice Charach Epstein.
them to use the walls and ceilings of
University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Yanice was a beautifid, generous
their home to showcase their talents.
"This gallery is our love, and
person who wanted to promote the
While Epstein seemed destined to
we built it for the community so work of other artists," says friend
turn her interest into a career, her
that people do not have to go
and curator Silvio Benvenuti.
brother pursued his interest as a hobby,