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Today, he is a student at Western Michigan University and an artist whose cre- ations are on display at the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery in the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. The exhibit, "A New Class of Glass:' features art by students and alumni of the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit. It runs through May 10 and is free and open to the public. "Exhibiting my work not only helps pay the bills, it helps me and my work evolve," Katsir says. "I can look upon the world only through my own two eyes. However, the feedback I receive when I show my work makes me feel as though I have a collective per- spective. There is also nothing more gratifying than creating happiness for others with my own two hands." Each April, Michigan observes Glass Month, celebrating artists whose work has a tradition thousands of years old. The first manmade glass objects were beads, believed to be from about 3500 B.C.E., from Egypt and Mesopotamia. After a colored glaze was added to the beads, merchants took the new art all along the coasts of the Mediterranean and then to the world. Color, design and artistic beauty were passions of Janice Charach Epstein, the JCC gallery's namesake and a former CCS student. Gallery Director Terri Stearn says that Epstein was not only a financially successful artist, she was eager to help others find that same success. Among Epstein's friends was Stuart Shulman, whose works also are featured in the exhibit. Since 1972, Shulman, 57, has been making a living as an artist, creating one-of-a-kind pieces. He began with clay and now works with glass and other materials, often making what he calls "artifact pieces," like Talon on a Rock, included in the exhibit. Comprising glass and Glass teapot by Stan Megdall 30 pieces of wood, it appears to have occurred naturally. "It tells a story, it draws you in," Shulman says. "I like to give you just enough information to make you scratch your head and wonder." Shulman enjoys working with glass because "it moves with time and tem- perature, and to me that's astounding. It's magical." Look closely at older stained-glass windows, for example, "and you'll see that the glass is thicker at the bottom." Stan Megdall, a longtime Detroiter, also is part of "A New Class of Glass." Megdall became interested in the medium "when I was in school study- ing ceramics." At the time, "the glass movement was strong:' he says. "I took a glass class, and it spoke to me!' "A New Class of Glass" runs through May 10 at the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery in the West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center, where works are available for purchase. In conjunction with the event, the gallery and SAJE (Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment) for all Seasons will host "An Evening of Coffee, Culture and Conversation" 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19. The pro- gram will feature Herb Babcock of CCS, who will speak on "The Studio Glass Movement," highlight- ing Detroit artists, followed by a demonstration of glass techniques by Carmi Katsir. The program, free and open to the public, will be held in Handleman Hall at the Jewish Center and will be followed by coffee and refreshments in the gallery. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Thursdays and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. (248) 661- 1000 or www.jccdet.org .