arts & entertainment >> on the cover
West Bloomfield's David Denn oversees
national celebration of an arts movement.
The Denns, who live in West Bloomfield
oanne and David Denn were
and have enjoyed traveling to some of the
browsing the Ann Arbor Art Fair
some 15 years ago when glass
exhibitions already in place, are looking
forward to openings around the state.
designs by Kit Karbler caught their atten-
tion.
The Detroit Institute of Arts, for
The couple moved in close, found a
instance, is reinstalling the Aviva and Jack
Robinson Gallery, creating a special dis-
piece they both liked and made their first
purchase in the contemporary medium.
play of the museum's extensive glass hold-
ings to be on view for one year starting
Just this year in Florida, at another art
fair, the Denns again spotted the work of
Wednesday, April 4.
Rebecca Hart, DIA associate curator,
Karbler, noticed one new piece they espe-
cially liked and made another purchase.
will present an in-depth discussion of the
While they are happy with both selec-
collection at 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, almost
tions, it's their involvement with the art
two months before a visit by members of
form in between those finds that has
the Glass Art Society.
made and will make the biggest impact.
The Toledo Museum of Art, which
Their shared interest has led to David
launched the American Studio Glass
Dennis chairmanship of the Art Alliance
movement and will host the annual con-
for Contemporary Glass 2012 Committee,
ference of the society, has made plans for
a group that has promoted the develop-
its own exhibition and associated pro-
ment of 167 major exhibitions and asso-
grams.
ciated programs
The Ohio muse-
across the country.
urn, in 1962, held
The idea came
two experimental
about in discus-
glass workshops at
sions of ways to
the core of trans-
celebrate the 50th
forming glass into a
anniversary of the
popular and respect-
American Studio
ed artistic medium.
Glass Movement.
In a joint effort,
Eleven of those
artist and university
major exhibitions
instructor Harvey
— and related ones
Littleton, glass tech-
— will take place in
nician Dominick
Michigan.
Labino and glass-
Glass collectors Joanne and David Denn blower Harvey
Ferdinand
Hampson, owner
Leafgreen pioneered
of Habatat Galleries in Royal Oak, has
hot-blown glassworking techniques out-
defined the 2012 initiative as the largest
side the factory setting.
cooperative cultural venture to take place
Also visiting Toledo will be some 70
in the United States.
board members of the Art Alliance for
"I thought I had retired from any great
Contemporary Glass, which this June is
responsibilities when I retired from the
having its board meeting in the Metro
practice of law in 2002," says Denn, 79.
Detroit area for the first time.
"Then I took on this project starting in
All the anniversary activities remind the
March of 2010.
Denns of their personal history with glass.
"I didn't realize how many hours would
"Some time after we bought that first
need to be devoted to it, but it has been a
glass piece in Ann Arbor, my wife and I
wonderful opportunity to meet curators
decided to go to an open glass exhibition
and directors of museums in support of the at the Habatat Galleries;' Denn recalls. "I
growth of interest in contemporary glass."
saw a piece by Toots Zynsky and decided
Cou rtesy Ha betat Ga ller ie s
Suzanne Chessler I Contributing Writer
j
The work of Jewish glass artists Daniel Clayman (left), Alex Bernstein (top right)
and Laura Donefer (bottom right).
to get it as a birthday gift for my wife. That
really started our serious collecting.
"In 2000, Habatat sponsored a tour to
Venice, Prague and Paris, and we joined
about 30 other collectors. During our trav-
els, we bought several pieces.
"As our collecting continued, it added a
very exciting dimension to our retirement
years. We've gotten to know the artists, the
processes and the history of each piece."
The Denns, members of Temple Kol
Ami, have accumulated a large number of
works by Jewish glass artists and commis-
sioned a piece by Lucio Bubacco of Italy to
capture the Jewish holidays.
Bubacco shows the lighting of the
Sabbath candles, blowing of the shofar
and reading of the Torah. His figures of
three young people represent the couple's
three children.
"The Habatat Galleries assisted us in
having that piece developed during one
year;' Denn says. "We keep it in our living
room."
Habatat, in conjunction with the 50-year
celebration, is holding its 40th annual
International Glass Invitational Awards
Exhibition April 26-May 26. More than 90
works from around the world, including
one by Littleton, will be shown.
Among the Michigan art and edu-
cational centers joining the glass corn-
memoration are the Berkowitz Gallery
at the University of Michigan-Dearborn,
College for Creative Studies in Detroit,
Flint Institute of Arts, Dennos Museum
Center in Traverse City, Kalamazoo
Institute of Arts, Muskegon Museum of
Art, Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, Alden
B. Dow Museum of Science and Art in
Midland, Grand Rapids Art Museum and
the Rankin Art Gallery at Ferris State
University in Big Rapids.
Herb Babcock, who heads glass initia-
tives at the College for Creative Studies,
has curated "Fusion:' an exhibition and
sale that features glass along with clay
and runs March 29-May 2 at the Janice
Charach Gallery in the Jewish Community
Center in West Bloomfield (see related
story on page 45).
"Glass has a timeless elegance Denn
says. "It delights the eye and exercises the
mind. It's so unique in its beauty that it
lights up our lives to have it all around us.
Our collection is something we hope our
children and grandchildren will enjoy for
years to come."
❑
The Denns commissioned a piece by
Lucio Bubacco of Italy to capture the
Jewish holidays. The lighting of the
Sabbath candles, blowing of the shofar
and reading of the Torah are depicted.
For details regarding the major
glass exhibitions, go to www.
contempglass.org .
March 22 • 2012
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