spent high school years at
Interlochen Center for the
Arts, earned a University of
Michigan bachelor’s degree
and holds a doctor’s degree
in music from Indiana
University.
“I want to communicate
a feeling of nostalgia, mem-
ories from childhood and
a time when life was a little
simpler.”
Donner, 38, whose interest
in art began in childhood, let
piano skills dominate his life
as a teenager and now teach-
es private students, directs
the music for the University
of Michigan Gilbert &
Sullivan Society and par-
ticipates in the music pro-
gram at St. Luke’s Episcopal
Church in Ypsilanti, although
personally identifying as
Jewish.
“Music and art give me a
creative outlet,” said Donner,
who maintains a home stu-
dio devoted to art. “
About
two years ago, on a whim,
I enrolled in a beginning
drawing class at Ann Arbor
Art Center. The fifth session
was the session on color, and
that was the first time we
used soft pastels. I think I got
hooked on that medium.
“I really like the feeling
of being able to recreate the
world according to how I
would like it to look. I hav-
en’t exhibited since elemen-
tary school. This is my first
exhibit as an adult, and I’m
really excited about it.”
Natalie Balazovich, direc-
tor of the Janice Charach
Gallery, is glad to have the
opportunity to present this
exhibit by these artists.
“This most unusual show
gives us a unique opportuni-
ty for the gallery to interact
with the special needs com-
munity, sharing their very
accomplished works of art,”
Balazovich said. “This gives
the artists the opportunity
to communicate in a totally
new and beautiful way with
the public at large.
“The extensive art pro-
gram at the Living and
Learning Enrichment Center
is truly awe-inspiring, and
it is a privilege to represent
that. I think the public will
be delighted by the show.”
Ezra Donner’s four pastels in the exhibit: Bicycle, Peanut Butter,
Flip Flops and Ice Cream.
DOG OF THE WEEK
H
i! Take a look at pretty me. Aphrodite is an
ancient Greek goddess associated with love
and beauty. Well, you can certainly see by my
beauty why I was named that — and I am a big love.
For short, Almost Home nicknamed me Dee Dee. I like
that name so much better.
Please fill out an application for me. I am looking
forward to spending my life loving on you and your
family. I am currently recovering from surgery. You see,
I had a broken leg when Almost Home rescued me,
and I had surgery to repair it. I am healing very well
and will be a normal playful puppy very soon.
Here is what my foster mom says about me:
• Dee Dee is super sweet. She is a poodle mix, 18
weeks old and 8 pounds. She gets along great with
kids of all ages. Dee Dee does well with her foster dog
sibling, and she is respectful of her foster cat sibling.
• She loves her crate. She likes to go in when she is
tired.
• She loves to be outside in the sun.
• She is slowly coming out of her shell.
• She is doing really good with potty training.
Repetition and consistency and patience will perfect
her potty skill.
• She is teething but doesn’t bite us. Redirection to
toys and chews will help with that.
Applications to adopt Dee Dee can be found at
www.almosthomeanimals.org..
Dee Dee
Dee Dee
Meet
MARCH 21 • 2024 | 59