In her collages,
Sylvia Nelson
o f teiI i,
'enamored of
the shapes of
letters and
numbers."

CF:

Liquidating Thousands of Fine Oriental Rugs

OPEN 7 DAYS

CORNER OF NOVI ROAD & GRAND RIVER SOUTH OF 1-96

After volunteering as a docent at
the Detroit Institute of Arts and as an
art program presenter for the
Farmington Public Schools, Nelson
found jobs in commercial galleries.
That experience gave her credentials
to become director of the Janice
Charach Epstein Gallery, built in
1991 by Natalie and Manny Charach
in memory of their late daughter,
who was an artist.
"We've done new shows just about
every six weeks, and I'm glad that we
were able to maintain a high level of
exhibits without repetition," Nelson
says. "No other Jewish community
center has a space like this one, and I
love working with Michigan artists."
Nelson, whose two daughters
became artists and whose son teaches
English, found the exhibits and artists
by networking and keeping alert to
touring shows.
Her favorite exhibit has been "The
Dolls of Magda Watts," which pres-
ents miniature figures in constructed
scenes. She also was impressed with a
collection of Jewish postcards curated
at the Jewish Theological Seminary of
America Library in new York and a
group of sukkahs designed by area
architects.
"The Jewish community is diverse,
and I've tried to appeal to different

segments," Nelson says. "We've had
close to 200 exhibits while I was
director, and I've learned that Jewish
people are some of the biggest art col-
lectors in this area."
Nelson, who converted to Judaism
when she was 23 and about to get
married, always wanted to have a
family and made religion a commit-
ment and cohesive element of home
life. An only child, she still celebrates
the Christian holidays with her father.
"I'm a morning worker and most
creative when I'm not tired," says
Nelson, vvho belongs to Temple Beth
El in Bloomfield Township and is
active with Jewish Women in the
Arts. "After I leave the gallery, I'm
going to set up a work ritual and plan
to work on projects every day.
"I will take the advice I have been
giving young artists and send slides of
my work every place I know." ❑

"Invitational '05" runs July 5-29
at the Lawrence Street Gallery,
22620 Woodward, Suite A,
Ferndale. The opening reception
will be 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 8.
Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m.
Tuesdays-Saturdays. (248) 544-
0384.

WELCOME BACK TO SHENANDOAH!

The public course
with private amenities

Come say hello
to Tom Fortuna

TOM FORTUNA
SHENANDOAH
PGA GOLF
PROFESSIONAL
FORMERLY
OF WABEEK
COUNTRY CLUB

SHENANDOAH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
5600 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI
(248) 682-4300
SHENANDOAHCOUNTRYCLUB.COM

6/30

2005

47