Glass Acts Michigan Glass Month brings out the best at local galleries. SUZANNE CHESSLER Special to the Jewish News ewish artists and collectors enrich April viewing opportu- nities as some 30 galleries around the state join the 23rd observance of Michigan Glass Month. The Janice Charach Epstein Gallery in the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield calls attention to a number of seasoned and emerging artists through its exhibit, "Metro Glass: Alumni and Students of the College for Creative Studies." The Alfred Berkowitz Gallery, on the campus of the University of Michigan in Dearborn, taps into pri- vate collections as it presents "Five from Ten," a display of 50 works bor- rowed from 10 regional collections. The Ariana Gallery in Royal Oak spotlights large projects through "Sculptural Glass" and includes pieces from two collaborative artists who operate their own studio in Oregon. IT Young Artists At JCC Gallery "We have some very exciting works from young artists among our exhibit pieces," says Sylvia Nelson, director of the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery. "Three students show considerable maturity in the way they have com- pleted their sculptural forms." Scott Strickstein has worked with cast glass and will be showing four works. "These are purely abstract forms," says Strickstein, who has accepted a teaching position at the Garrison Art Center and will be moving to New York State after graduation in May. "I have three similar pieces with Open Arms I, II and III, and they are derived from the relationship between human and architectural forms." Strickstein, who mixes ceramics and glass, likes to stick with the inherent colors of materials. A former student at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit, he became interested in art while attending Cranbrook, where 4/ 4 2003 82 many types of approaches caught his attention. "I like the duality of glass," Strickstein says. "It's a dense material that looks light and airy." Jeremy Levitt, also a graduating sen- ior, gives his energy to functional works and will be showing a glass, concrete and steel floor lamp. He likes using clear glass and organic shapes. "I've been interested in art ever since I was able to hold a pencil, and I've been a partner in a furniture design business, JUXT.," says Levitt, who has been a member of Temple Israel. "I've done coffee- and end-tables on com- mission and completed the interior design of a new jewelry store." Levitt, who plans on moving to New York or Los Angeles to explore creative opportunities, selects glass as only one component of his projects. He became interested in design as a summer intern for a firm that planned exhibits and later decided that he would prefer assignments that involve upscale, modern clubs and hotels as well as product design. Robert Madvin, a freshman, is rep- resented by three sculptural pieces made from glass and metal and two vessels formed from blown glass. "I like to experiment with materials to get different effects," says Madvin, who has been active with the Jewish Community Center. "I want to express emotions and moods." Trophy, for example, combines metal, cast glass and blown glass and can be used as a functional vessel form. Captured Moon is purely abstract as it combines grainy glass, black metal and stainless steel. "I hope to work with other artists to broaden my interest and knowledge," says Madvin, whose early artistic focus was jewelry. "I like glass because of the ways it can be manipulated, starting as a liquid and later trapping air." Other artists represented at the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery are Herb Babcock, Paul Stankard, Sidney Hutter and Martin Blank..Many of the artists will discuss their work dur- ing a complimentary reception at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in the gallery, where reservations will be required. Fifty At Berkowitz Nearly 50 name artists are represented in "Five from Ten" at the Alfred Berkowitz Gallery on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. "Most of the works we've selected are very significant in the art glass movement," says Kenneth Gross, director of the Art Museum Project at the U-M-Dearborn. "While we are pleased that we could have examples from so many different artists in our Clockwise from top left: Emily Brock:c "Washday Blues," at the Berkowitz Gallery, is from the collection of Alex Neshkes of Southfield. Robert Madvin, a freshman at the College for Creative Studies, has "Trophy" on exhibit at the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery. "Open Arms II," by former Hillel Day School student Scott Strickstein, is on display at the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery Aaron Frankel and Ian Gilula of Elements Glass in Portland, Ore., are showing "Rainbow Basket" at Ariana Gallery.