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

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