58 | MARCH 21 • 2024
J
N
D
ave Hankin, cousin to the late artist Janice Charach,
is among 27 artists exhibiting 97 works at the West
Bloomfield gallery named in honor of his talented rel-
ative. The exhibit, running from now until April 3, has been
organized under the title My Story and consists of paintings,
drawings, photos and ceramics.
“When I learned my cousin Janice was an artist, it was part
of the inspiration that came to me,” said Hankin, also the neph-
ew of the late Natalie Charach, mother of Janice, who became
interested in the artistry of participants in programs at the
Living and Learning Enrichment Center in Northville.
The center administers social, community enrichment and
job coaching initiatives for teens and young adults with a broad
range of disabilities that include autism. Through the center,
the artists have shown and sold their work at the Mod Market
in Northville.
“I’m showing acrylic paintings,” said Hankin, 28, who lives
with his parents in Ann Arbor, works in the kitchen of York
Food and Drink in that city and has taken art lessons at the
center and from other teachers. “I will be showing a cou-
ple of moonscapes and a boat memory from a class trip to
Chesapeake Bay.
“I always put the start and finish dates on the backs of the
paintings I make. I work in a space set up in our basement. I
miss my Aunt Natalie and know that she would want me to
continue my artwork. I know that my cousin Janice would want
that, too.”
Natalie Charach and her late husband, Manny, supported
many area organizations through their Manat Foundation,
administered in part by Dave’s mother, Rebecca.
“Natalie conceived that the artists at the Living and Learning
Enrichment Center should have a venue for their art,” said
Rebecca Hankin, also active with Temple Beth Emeth in Ann
Arbor. “The opportunity to exhibit in a gallery and learn what
is entailed in exhibiting art was very inspiring to Natalie, and
this exhibit is among the fruits of Natalie’s creative mind.
“I’m an interested parent and have served on the advisory
board of the Living and Learning Center. I’m cheering the art-
ists on, and I’m appreciative of the opportunities being offered.”
Ezra Donner, also living in Ann Arbor, is exhibiting work
showing an association with summer.
“I will have four pastel drawings — a bicycle, a jar of pea-
nut butter, ice cream cones and flip flops,” said Donner, who
ARTS&LIFE
ART
Charach Gallery exhibit includes art
from the special needs community.
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Wreck of the Tilgahan Lady by Dave Hankin, Acrylic, 20 x 14. This image
is based on a memory of a trip to the Chesapeake. “It has made me
wonder: How did the Tilgahan Lady get this way? I feel like she has a
story that I would like to set down in writing,” Hankin says.
Details
The My Story art exhibit will be on view through April 3
(11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday-Thursday) at the Janice Charach
Gallery in The J (Jewish Community Center), 6600 W.
Maple, West Bloomfield. Free. Charachgallery.org.
Sunny Beach by Dave Hankin, Acrylic, 20 x 14. This picture is based on
Hankin’s memories of family trips to Lake Ontario.
Art Show Tells
‘My Story’